Verified factor-similar pair

FSMD vs NUSC

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
84
Verified similar

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

Quick Read

  • FSMD has the higher backtested relative Sharpe (0.972 vs 0.789).
  • FSMD has the lower published fee (0.15% vs 0.31%).
  • FSMD is cheaper on dividend valuation (111 vs 303, where 100 is each fund's historical median).
  • NUSC has the stronger regression fit (adjusted R-squared 0.971 vs 0.955).

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

FSMD

Fidelity Small-Mid Multifactor ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.955
Rel. Sharpe
0.972
Mkt beta
0.94
AUM
US$2.3B
MER
0.15%
Valuation
111

NUSC

Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.971
Rel. Sharpe
0.789
Mkt beta
1.00
AUM
US$1.3B
MER
0.31%
Valuation
303

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
FSMD
+0.56
|t|
+10.5
NUSC
+0.75
|t|
+18.5
diff -0.18
HML
FSMD
+0.23
|t|
+5.2
NUSC
+0.13
|t|
+3.7
diff +0.10
RMW
FSMD
+0.15
|t|
+2.8
NUSC
-0.01
|t|
-0.2
diff +0.16
CMA
FSMD
-0.03
|t|
-0.5
NUSC
+0.01
|t|
+0.2
diff -0.04
UMD
FSMD
+0.11
|t|
+3.0
NUSC
+0.05
|t|
+1.6
diff +0.07

Why This Pair Matches

Exposure level
82
Exposure shape
97
Mkt beta diff
0.06
Rel. Sharpe diff
0.183

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.

FSMD fund page NUSC 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.