KRE Stock: SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF Profile & Analysis (2026)
KRE provides targeted exposure to the U.S. regional banking sector through a modified equal-weighted index — Updated May 2026 with current AUM, expense ratio, holdings, and performance data.
The SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) is a staple for investors seeking to capture the performance of the American mid-tier lending landscape. Unlike the XLF Stock Profile which includes massive diversified financial giants, KRE focuses exclusively on the regional banking segment, providing a granular look at the health of local and state-level financial institutions.
By utilizing a modified equal-weighted methodology, KRE ensures that the fund’s performance isn’t dominated by just a few names. This makes it an ideal instrument for those tracking Small Cap Bank Stocks and their sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations, net interest margins, and local economic conditions across the United States.
Key Takeaways — KRE Stock
KRE offers direct exposure to approximately 145 regional banks, excluding the “too-big-to-fail” global investment banks.
The index uses a modified equal-weighted approach, providing more balanced exposure across small and mid-cap lenders.
With an average daily volume of roughly 10.5 million shares, KRE is a highly liquid vehicle for both traders and long-term investors.
The fund pays a reliable quarterly dividend, currently yielding 2.38%, supported by the cash flows of regional lending operations.
KRE — Live Price Chart
Real-time chart from TradingView.
KRE ETF Vitals & Key Statistics
Core data as of May 2026.
| Data Point | Value | Data Point | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF | Ticker | KRE |
| Issuer | State Street Global Advisors | Asset Class | Equities / Financial |
| Index Tracked | S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index | Structure | Open-Ended ETF |
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | AUM | $4.37B |
| Inception Date | June 19, 2006 | Exchange | NYSE Arca |
| No. of Holdings | 145-147 | Dividend Yield | 2.38% |
| 52-Week High | $68.50 | 52-Week Low | $47.50 |
| Avg Daily Volume | 10.5M Shares | YTD Return | 2.31% |
| 1-Year Return | 10.39% | 5-Year Return | 3.51% (Annualized) |
| Category | Regional Banking | Dividend Frequency | Quarterly |
KRE Top 10 Holdings (May 2026)
Largest positions by weight. Click columns to sort.
| Rank | Ticker | Company Name | Sector | Weight % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BPOP | Popular, Inc. | Financials | 2.17% |
| 2 | CFG | Citizens Financial Group, Inc. | Financials | 2.05% |
| 3 | MTB | M&T Bank Corporation | Financials | 2.05% |
| 4 | VLY | Valley National Bancorp | Financials | 2.05% |
| 5 | WBS | Webster Financial Corporation | Financials | 2.03% |
| 6 | RF | Regions Financial Corporation | Financials | 2.00% |
| 7 | CFR | Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. | Financials | 2.00% |
| 8 | UMBF | UMB Financial Corporation | Financials | 1.99% |
| 9 | TFC | Truist Financial Corporation | Financials | 1.97% |
| 10 | WTFC | Wintrust Financial Corporation | Financials | 1.97% |
KRE — Pros & Cons
✓ Equal-Weight Strategy
Reduces concentration risk by ensuring that no single bank dominates the entire portfolio.
✗ Interest Rate Sensitivity
Regional banks are highly sensitive to changes in the yield curve, which can lead to price volatility.
✓ Competitive Costs
With a 0.35% expense ratio, it is one of the more affordable ways to gain broad sector-specific access.
✗ Sector Concentration
Investing solely in regional banks exposes investors to specific risks within the financial industry.
✓ High Liquidity
Ideal for institutional and retail traders who require tight spreads and easy entry/exit points.
✗ Credit Quality Risk
Regional lenders are more exposed to local real estate and commercial loan defaults than global banks.
Who Should Consider KRE?
Tactical investors seeking a play on the U.S. economy’s “engine room” or those betting on rising net interest margins.
Conservative investors who cannot tolerate the high volatility often associated with mid-cap financial services.
You want to diversify beyond the finance companies listed on U.S. exchanges that are dominated by investment banking and insurance.
Tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs are often preferred to capture and reinvest the quarterly dividend distributions tax-efficiently.
KRE vs Similar ETFs
Key metrics comparison.
| ETF | Full Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Holdings | Div Yield | YTD | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KRE ★ | SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF | 0.35% | $4.37B | 145 | 2.38% | 2.31% | Liquidity & Balance |
| KBWR | Invesco KBW Regional Banking ETF | 0.35% | $100M+ | 50 | 2.20% | 2.15% | Concentrated Plays |
| FBZ | First Trust Regional Banks ETF | 0.60% | $50M+ | 60 | 1.95% | 1.80% | Alternative Weighting |
| IAT | iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF | 0.40% | $600M+ | 35 | 2.10% | 2.45% | Large Regional Banks |
KRE Technical Analysis
Real-time buy/sell signals.
KRE — Risks & Considerations
Interest Rate Risk
Sudden changes in Fed policy can compress net interest margins, directly impacting regional bank profitability.
Regulatory Changes
New banking regulations or increased capital requirements can lead to higher compliance costs for smaller lenders.
Economic Sensitivity
Regional banks are local proxies; a downturn in specific U.S. regions can lead to higher loan default rates.
Market Volatility
The regional banking sector is prone to rapid price swings during periods of financial uncertainty or banking stress.