QABA vs. XLFI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QABA (First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund) and XLFI (State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QABA is a Financials Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index, while XLFI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street. QABA is passively managed, while XLFI is actively managed. Over the past year, QABA returned 33.48% vs 11.31% for XLFI. Their 0.62 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QABA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XLFI.

Performance

QABA vs. XLFI - 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 State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QABA achieves a 23.18% return, which is significantly higher than XLFI's 3.17% return.

QABA

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 2.02%
• 6M: 16.07%
• YTD: 23.18%
• 1Y: 33.48%
• 3Y*: 17.94%
• 5Y*: 8.03%
• 10Y*: 8.38%
• ALL TIME*: 9.66%

XLFI

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 2.09%
• 6M: 4.95%
• YTD: 3.17%
• 1Y: 11.31%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.72%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QABA First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund	$803.45K	$564.12K	$491.36K
XLFI State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$205.39K	$226.21K	$175.11K

QABA vs. XLFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QABA First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund	23.18%	3.56%
XLFI State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	3.17%	5.40%

Correlation

The correlation between QABA and XLFI is 0.61, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.62

The correlation between QABA and XLFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

QABA vs. XLFI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QABA	XLFI
Financial Services	99.7%	100.4%
Industrials	0.3%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QABA vs. XLFI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QABA

QABA Risk / Return Rank: 61
QABA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
QABA Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
QABA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
QABA Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
QABA Martin Ratio Rank: 55

XLFI

XLFI Risk / Return Rank: 29
XLFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
XLFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
XLFI Omega Ratio Rank: 31
XLFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
XLFI Martin Ratio Rank: 27

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

QABA vs. XLFI - 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 State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	QABA	XLFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	0.81	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.02	1.12	+0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.15	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	0.80	+1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.49	2.26	+4.23

QABA vs. XLFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QABA Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is higher than the XLFI Sharpe Ratio of 0.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QABA and XLFI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

QABA vs. XLFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QABA drawdown since its inception was -49.30%, which is greater than XLFI's maximum drawdown of -11.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QABA and XLFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	QABA	XLFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.30%	-11.89%	-37.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.49%	-11.89%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.82%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.93%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.30%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.28%	-1.11%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.33%	-3.02%	-8.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.76%	4.22%	+0.54%

Volatility

QABA vs. XLFI - Volatility Comparison

First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund (QABA) has a higher volatility of 5.34% compared to State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLFI) at 2.78%. This indicates that QABA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLFI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QABA	XLFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.34%	2.78%	+2.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.48%	9.08%	+5.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.01%	11.88%	+10.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.22%	11.85%	+14.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.59%	11.85%	+16.74%

QABA vs. XLFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

QABA vs. XLFI - Dividend Comparison

QABA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.22%, less than XLFI's 11.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QABA First Trust NASDAQ ABA Community Bank Index Fund	2.22%	2.52%	2.37%	2.71%	2.10%	1.68%	2.55%	1.95%	1.90%	1.42%	1.13%	1.39%
XLFI State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	11.29%	5.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QABA and XLFI in my portfolio?

QABA and XLFI have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QABA or XLFI?

QABA has higher volatility (5.34%) compared to XLFI (2.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QABA dropped -49.30% vs XLFI's -11.89%.

Which ETF is better, QABA or XLFI?

On 1-year performance, QABA leads with 33.48% vs 11.31% for XLFI. On fees, XLFI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XLFI has been the lower-risk option at 2.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QABA or XLFI?

Over the 1-year period, QABA has performed better with a 33.48% return vs 11.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QABA or XLFI?

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

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

XLFI has the higher dividend yield at 11.29%, compared with 2.22% for QABA.

What is the main difference between QABA and XLFI?

QABA is categorized as Financials Equities, while XLFI is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QABA and 0.35% for XLFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QABA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.41 vs 0.81), 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.