Verified factor-similar pair

IQSM vs SMMD

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
80
Verified similar

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

Quick Read

  • SMMD has the higher backtested relative Sharpe (0.773 vs 0.702).
  • IQSM has the lower published fee (0.15% vs 0.23%).
  • IQSM is cheaper on dividend valuation (114 vs 135, where 100 is each fund's historical median).
  • SMMD has the stronger regression fit (adjusted R-squared 0.975 vs 0.915).

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

IQSM

NYLI Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.915
Rel. Sharpe
0.702
Mkt beta
1.04
AUM
US$312M
MER
0.15%
Valuation
114

SMMD

iShares Russell 2500 ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.975
Rel. Sharpe
0.773
Mkt beta
1.03
AUM
US$2.9B
MER
0.23%
Valuation
135

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
IQSM
+0.47
|t|
+4.8
SMMD
+0.61
|t|
+16.0
diff -0.14
HML
IQSM
+0.17
|t|
+1.6
SMMD
+0.13
|t|
+4.0
diff +0.04
RMW
IQSM
+0.04
|t|
+0.4
SMMD
-0.08
|t|
-1.9
diff +0.11
CMA
IQSM
+0.20
|t|
+1.6
SMMD
-0.00
|t|
-0.0
diff +0.20
UMD
IQSM
-0.04
|t|
-0.6
SMMD
+0.03
|t|
+1.1
diff -0.07

Why This Pair Matches

Exposure level
75
Exposure shape
95
Mkt beta diff
0.01
Rel. Sharpe diff
0.071

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.

IQSM fund page SMMD 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.