Verified factor-similar pair

DES vs QVAL

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 HML RMW
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

  • DES has the higher backtested relative Sharpe (0.895 vs 0.641).
  • QVAL has the lower published fee (0.29% vs 0.38%).
  • QVAL is cheaper on dividend valuation (111 vs 136, where 100 is each fund's historical median).
  • DES has the stronger regression fit (adjusted R-squared 0.941 vs 0.845).

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

DES

WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund
SMB HML RMW
Adj. R2
0.941
Rel. Sharpe
0.895
Mkt beta
0.90
AUM
US$2.0B
MER
0.38%
Valuation
136

QVAL

Alpha Architect US Quantitative Value ETF
SMB HML RMW
Adj. R2
0.845
Rel. Sharpe
0.641
Mkt beta
1.08
AUM
US$506M
MER
0.29%
Valuation
111

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
DES
+0.75
|t|
+18.4
QVAL
+0.42
|t|
+4.7
diff +0.33
HML
DES
+0.39
|t|
+9.9
QVAL
+0.34
|t|
+4.2
diff +0.05
RMW
DES
+0.28
|t|
+5.7
QVAL
+0.44
|t|
+4.4
diff -0.16
CMA
DES
+0.10
|t|
+1.6
QVAL
+0.09
|t|
+0.7
diff +0.01
UMD
DES
-0.10
|t|
-4.2
QVAL
-0.07
|t|
-1.1
diff -0.03

Why This Pair Matches

Exposure level
83
Exposure shape
96
Mkt beta diff
0.18
Rel. Sharpe diff
0.253

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.

DES fund page QVAL 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.