Verified factor-similar pair

FYX vs IJR

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
92
Near substitute

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

Quick Read

  • IJR has the higher backtested relative Sharpe (0.980 vs 0.958).
  • IJR has the lower published fee (0.06% vs 0.58%).
  • FYX is cheaper on dividend valuation (95 vs 110, where 100 is each fund's historical median).
  • FYX has the stronger regression fit (adjusted R-squared 0.977 vs 0.968).

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

FYX

First Trust Small Cap Core Alphadex Fund
SMB
Adj. R2
0.977
Rel. Sharpe
0.958
Mkt beta
1.02
AUM
US$1.1B
MER
0.58%
Valuation
95

IJR

iShares Core S&P Small Cap ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.968
Rel. Sharpe
0.980
Mkt beta
0.99
AUM
US$96.8B
MER
0.06%
Valuation
110

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
FYX
+0.97
|t|
+34.2
IJR
+0.84
|t|
+36.0
diff +0.13
HML
FYX
+0.19
|t|
+7.0
IJR
+0.20
|t|
+8.3
diff -0.01
RMW
FYX
+0.14
|t|
+4.3
IJR
+0.13
|t|
+4.8
diff +0.02
CMA
FYX
-0.02
|t|
-0.6
IJR
-0.02
|t|
-0.4
diff -0.01
UMD
FYX
-0.01
|t|
-0.9
IJR
+0.03
|t|
+2.4
diff -0.04

Why This Pair Matches

Exposure level
91
Exposure shape
100
Mkt beta diff
0.03
Rel. Sharpe diff
0.022

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.

FYX fund page IJR 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.