Verified factor-similar pair

AFMC vs DFAS

These two ETFs meet the same FF6 US comparison criteria: US-listed equity ETFs, the same USD model basis, at least one material non-market factor, and 100% overlap in statistically significant material factor exposure.

SMB
Similarity score
83
Verified similar

The score combines exposure-level distance, factor-vector shape, market-beta closeness, and a small backtested relative-Sharpe term.

Quick Read

  • DFAS has the higher backtested relative Sharpe (1.158 vs 0.807).
  • DFAS has the lower published fee (0.26% vs 0.68%).
  • DFAS is cheaper on dividend valuation (106 vs 137, where 100 is each fund's historical median).
  • DFAS has the stronger regression fit (adjusted R-squared 0.980 vs 0.933).

These are screening signals, not a complete review of portfolio construction, turnover, taxes, or trading quality.

AFMC

First Trust Active Factor Mid Cap ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.933
Rel. Sharpe
0.807
Mkt beta
0.98
AUM
US$147M
MER
0.68%
Valuation
137

DFAS

Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.980
Rel. Sharpe
1.158
Mkt beta
1.00
AUM
US$13.4B
MER
0.26%
Valuation
106

Factor Exposure Match

Blue bars compare raw factor beta magnitude. Green bars compare absolute t-stat strength. Dim bars indicate the t-stat is below 1.96.

SMB
AFMC
+0.51
|t|
+7.2
DFAS
+0.85
|t|
+20.1
diff -0.34
HML
AFMC
+0.26
|t|
+4.4
DFAS
+0.20
|t|
+4.5
diff +0.06
RMW
AFMC
+0.18
|t|
+2.6
DFAS
+0.18
|t|
+4.5
diff +0.01
CMA
AFMC
-0.05
|t|
-0.6
DFAS
+0.03
|t|
+0.6
diff -0.09
UMD
AFMC
+0.10
|t|
+2.0
DFAS
+0.03
|t|
+1.1
diff +0.07

Why This Pair Matches

Exposure level
81
Exposure shape
98
Mkt beta diff
0.02
Rel. Sharpe diff
0.352

This comparison focuses on measured factor exposure. It does not compare holdings methodology, turnover, tax handling, or issuer process. Backtested relative Sharpe is a secondary signal rather than a stand-alone forecast. See methodology.

AFMC fund page DFAS fund page US ETF Leaders US Universe
Important context

VerifiedBeta publishes educational ETF research, not personalized investment advice, portfolio management, or security recommendations. Funds that screen well here can still be unsuitable for your objectives, taxes, liquidity needs, or constraints. Review fund documents, methodology assumptions, and your own circumstances before acting. See the full disclaimer.