Verified factor-similar pair

ISCB vs UPGD

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
91
Near substitute

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

Quick Read

  • ISCB has the higher backtested relative Sharpe (0.793 vs 0.583).
  • ISCB has the lower published fee (0.04% vs 0.40%).
  • UPGD is cheaper on dividend valuation (64 vs 102, where 100 is each fund's historical median).
  • ISCB has the stronger regression fit (adjusted R-squared 0.972 vs 0.880).

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

ISCB

iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.972
Rel. Sharpe
0.793
Mkt beta
1.02
AUM
US$261M
MER
0.04%
Valuation
102

UPGD

Invesco Bloomberg Analyst Rating Improvers ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.880
Rel. Sharpe
0.583
Mkt beta
1.06
AUM
US$110M
MER
0.40%
Valuation
64

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
ISCB
+0.74
|t|
+28.2
UPGD
+0.65
|t|
+10.6
diff +0.10
HML
ISCB
+0.14
|t|
+5.3
UPGD
+0.06
|t|
+1.1
diff +0.07
RMW
ISCB
+0.03
|t|
+1.0
UPGD
+0.07
|t|
+0.9
diff -0.04
CMA
ISCB
-0.02
|t|
-0.4
UPGD
+0.02
|t|
+0.2
diff -0.03
UMD
ISCB
-0.03
|t|
-1.7
UPGD
-0.06
|t|
-1.7
diff +0.03

Why This Pair Matches

Exposure level
90
Exposure shape
100
Mkt beta diff
0.04
Rel. Sharpe diff
0.209

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.

ISCB fund page UPGD 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.