Verified factor-similar pair

ISCG vs VBK

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

  • VBK has the higher backtested relative Sharpe (0.748 vs 0.731).
  • VBK has the lower published fee (0.05% vs 0.06%).
  • ISCG is cheaper on dividend valuation (99 vs 131, where 100 is each fund's historical median).
  • VBK has the stronger regression fit (adjusted R-squared 0.965 vs 0.960).

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

ISCG

iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.960
Rel. Sharpe
0.731
Mkt beta
1.03
AUM
US$908M
MER
0.06%
Valuation
99

VBK

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.965
Rel. Sharpe
0.748
Mkt beta
1.06
AUM
US$21.1B
MER
0.05%
Valuation
131

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
ISCG
+0.80
|t|
+25.6
VBK
+0.69
|t|
+23.7
diff +0.11
HML
ISCG
-0.24
|t|
-7.9
VBK
-0.19
|t|
-6.8
diff -0.05
RMW
ISCG
-0.17
|t|
-4.5
VBK
-0.18
|t|
-5.2
diff +0.01
CMA
ISCG
-0.05
|t|
-1.1
VBK
-0.07
|t|
-1.6
diff +0.02
UMD
ISCG
+0.09
|t|
+5.0
VBK
+0.04
|t|
+2.3
diff +0.05

Why This Pair Matches

Exposure level
89
Exposure shape
100
Mkt beta diff
0.03
Rel. Sharpe diff
0.017

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.

ISCG fund page VBK 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.