Verified factor-similar pair

IWM vs VBK

These two ETFs pass the same FF6 US similarity lane: US-listed equity ETFs, same USD model basis, at least one material non-market factor, and 100% overlap in statistically significant material factor exposure.

SMB
Similarity score
82
Verified similar

Score blends exposure-level distance, factor-vector shape, market-beta closeness, and a small backtested relative-Sharpe term.

IWM

iShares Russell 2000 ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.986
Rel. Sharpe
0.785
Mkt beta
1.02
AUM
US$73.2B
MER
0.19%
Valuation
136

VBK

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.965
Rel. Sharpe
0.736
Mkt beta
1.07
AUM
US$21.1B
MER
0.05%
Valuation
126

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
IWM
+0.82
|t|
+50.5
VBK
+0.69
|t|
+23.3
diff +0.13
HML
IWM
+0.10
|t|
+6.2
VBK
-0.19
|t|
-6.5
diff +0.29
RMW
IWM
-0.07
|t|
-4.0
VBK
-0.18
|t|
-4.9
diff +0.11
CMA
IWM
-0.00
|t|
-0.1
VBK
-0.08
|t|
-1.8
diff +0.08
UMD
IWM
+0.04
|t|
+3.9
VBK
+0.04
|t|
+2.6
diff -0.01

Why This Pair Matches

Exposure level
78
Exposure shape
95
Mkt beta diff
0.05
Rel. Sharpe diff
0.049

This comparison focuses on measured factor exposure, not a qualitative review of each fund's portfolio-construction process. Backtested relative Sharpe is included as a secondary signal, while we continue refining a comparison metric that separates factor payoff from alpha. See methodology.

IWM 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.