QABA vs. KBE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QABA (First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund) and KBE (SPDR S&P Bank ETF) are both Financials Equities funds - QABA tracks the NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index while KBE tracks the S&P Banks Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QABA returned 6.80%/yr vs 9.19%/yr for KBE. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QABA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for KBE.

Performance

QABA vs. KBE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) and SPDR S&P Bank ETF (KBE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QABA achieves a 8.16% return, which is significantly higher than KBE's 2.87% return. Over the past 10 years, QABA has underperformed KBE with an annualized return of 6.80%, while KBE has yielded a comparatively higher 9.19% annualized return.

QABA

• 1D: -2.39%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: 8.16%
• 6M: 7.37%
• 1Y: 18.48%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 3.09%
• 10Y*: 6.80%

KBE

• 1D: -2.28%
• 1M: -1.94%
• YTD: 2.87%
• 6M: 4.27%
• 1Y: 18.75%
• 3Y*: 22.67%
• 5Y*: 5.28%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QABA vs. KBE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QABA First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund	8.16%	4.62%	14.49%	-2.18%	-9.01%	34.20%	-10.70%	22.85%	-16.47%	0.75%
KBE SPDR S&P Bank ETF	2.87%	12.36%	23.78%	5.30%	-14.83%	33.46%	-8.75%	29.78%	-19.65%	10.49%

Correlation

The correlation between QABA and KBE is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2009	0.92

The correlation between QABA and KBE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

QABA vs. KBE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QABA	KBE
Financial Services	99.7%	100.0%
Industrials	0.3%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QABA vs. KBE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

QABA

QABA Risk / Return Rank: 26
QABA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
QABA Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
QABA Omega Ratio Rank: 24
QABA Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
QABA Martin Ratio Rank: 27

KBE

KBE Risk / Return Rank: 25
KBE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
KBE Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
KBE Omega Ratio Rank: 25
KBE Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
KBE Martin Ratio Rank: 25

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

QABA vs. KBE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) and SPDR S&P Bank ETF (KBE). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	QABA	KBE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	0.87	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.30	1.32	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.17	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	1.29	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.69	3.39	+0.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QABA vs. KBE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QABA Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is comparable to the KBE Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QABA and KBE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QABA	KBE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83	0.87	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.19	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24	0.31	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	0.10	+0.24

Drawdowns

QABA vs. KBE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QABA drawdown since its inception was -49.30%, smaller than the maximum KBE drawdown of -83.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QABA and KBE.

Drawdown Indicators

	QABA	KBE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.30%	-83.15%	+33.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.49%	-14.63%	+2.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.82%	-25.97%	+0.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.93%	-45.25%	+2.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.30%	-53.14%	+3.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.25%	-7.38%	+3.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.43%	-27.54%	+16.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.02%	5.55%	-0.53%

Volatility

QABA vs. KBE - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) and SPDR S&P Bank ETF (KBE) have volatilities of 5.63% and 5.65%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QABA	KBE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.63%	5.65%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.22%	14.93%	+0.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.50%	21.62%	+0.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.50%	27.36%	-0.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.69%	29.85%	-1.16%

QABA vs. KBE - Expense Ratio Comparison

QABA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than KBE's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

QABA vs. KBE - Dividend Comparison

QABA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.40%, which matches KBE's 2.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KBE SPDR S&P Bank ETF	2.39%	2.51%	2.35%	2.78%	2.99%	2.16%	2.44%	2.33%	2.18%	1.36%	1.39%	1.70%
QABA First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund	2.40%	2.52%	2.37%	2.71%	2.10%	1.68%	2.55%	1.95%	1.90%	1.42%	1.13%	1.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QABA and KBE in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, QABA and KBE move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, QABA or KBE?

KBE has higher volatility (5.65%) compared to QABA (5.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QABA dropped -49.30% vs KBE's -83.15%.

Which ETF is better, QABA or KBE?

On 10-year performance, KBE leads with 9.19% vs 6.80% for QABA. On fees, KBE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QABA or KBE?

Over the 10-year period, KBE has performed better with a 9.19% return vs 6.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QABA or KBE?

KBE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QABA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QABA or KBE?

QABA and KBE have nearly identical dividend yields, around 2.40%.

What is the main difference between QABA and KBE?

QABA tracks NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index, while KBE tracks S&P Banks Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QABA and 0.35% for KBE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KBE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.87 vs 0.83), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.