Verified factor-similar pair

ESML vs IWM

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
95
Near substitute

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

Quick Read

  • ESML has the higher backtested relative Sharpe (0.866 vs 0.798).
  • ESML has the lower published fee (0.17% vs 0.19%).
  • ESML is cheaper on dividend valuation (134 vs 142, where 100 is each fund's historical median).
  • IWM has the stronger regression fit (adjusted R-squared 0.986 vs 0.980).

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

ESML

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.980
Rel. Sharpe
0.866
Mkt beta
1.00
AUM
US$2.3B
MER
0.17%
Valuation
134

IWM

iShares Russell 2000 ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.986
Rel. Sharpe
0.798
Mkt beta
1.02
AUM
US$73.2B
MER
0.19%
Valuation
142

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
ESML
+0.73
|t|
+19.5
IWM
+0.81
|t|
+50.7
diff -0.08
HML
ESML
+0.13
|t|
+4.0
IWM
+0.10
|t|
+6.2
diff +0.02
RMW
ESML
-0.03
|t|
-0.8
IWM
-0.08
|t|
-4.5
diff +0.05
CMA
ESML
+0.02
|t|
+0.3
IWM
-0.00
|t|
-0.1
diff +0.02
UMD
ESML
+0.04
|t|
+1.4
IWM
+0.04
|t|
+4.1
diff -0.00

Why This Pair Matches

Exposure level
95
Exposure shape
100
Mkt beta diff
0.01
Rel. Sharpe diff
0.068

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.

ESML fund page IWM 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.