Verified factor-similar pair

ISMD 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
88
Verified similar

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

Quick Read

  • ISMD has the higher backtested relative Sharpe (0.918 vs 0.789).
  • NUSC has the lower published fee (0.31% vs 0.59%).
  • ISMD is cheaper on dividend valuation (116 vs 303, where 100 is each fund's historical median).
  • NUSC has the stronger regression fit (adjusted R-squared 0.971 vs 0.962).

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

ISMD

Inspire Small/Mid Cap ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.962
Rel. Sharpe
0.918
Mkt beta
0.98
AUM
US$275M
MER
0.59%
Valuation
116

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
ISMD
+0.83
|t|
+16.9
NUSC
+0.75
|t|
+18.5
diff +0.08
HML
ISMD
+0.20
|t|
+4.6
NUSC
+0.13
|t|
+3.7
diff +0.06
RMW
ISMD
-0.00
|t|
-0.1
NUSC
-0.01
|t|
-0.2
diff +0.01
CMA
ISMD
+0.11
|t|
+1.8
NUSC
+0.01
|t|
+0.2
diff +0.10
UMD
ISMD
+0.00
|t|
+0.0
NUSC
+0.05
|t|
+1.6
diff -0.04

Why This Pair Matches

Exposure level
86
Exposure shape
99
Mkt beta diff
0.02
Rel. Sharpe diff
0.130

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.

ISMD 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.