Verified factor-similar pair

MDYG vs XJR

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
81
Verified similar

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

Quick Read

  • MDYG has the higher backtested relative Sharpe (0.890 vs 0.880).
  • XJR has the lower published fee (0.12% vs 0.15%).
  • MDYG is cheaper on dividend valuation (170 vs 179, where 100 is each fund's historical median).
  • XJR has the stronger regression fit (adjusted R-squared 0.976 vs 0.909).

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

MDYG

State Street SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.909
Rel. Sharpe
0.890
Mkt beta
1.03
AUM
US$2.6B
MER
0.15%
Valuation
170

XJR

iShares ESG Select Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.976
Rel. Sharpe
0.880
Mkt beta
0.98
AUM
US$130M
MER
0.12%
Valuation
179

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
MDYG
+0.46
|t|
+10.4
XJR
+0.98
|t|
+21.8
diff -0.52
HML
MDYG
-0.07
|t|
-1.7
XJR
+0.18
|t|
+4.2
diff -0.25
RMW
MDYG
+0.11
|t|
+2.0
XJR
+0.17
|t|
+3.7
diff -0.06
CMA
MDYG
+0.01
|t|
+0.1
XJR
+0.01
|t|
+0.1
diff -0.00
UMD
MDYG
+0.03
|t|
+1.0
XJR
+0.07
|t|
+2.2
diff -0.04

Why This Pair Matches

Exposure level
76
Exposure shape
97
Mkt beta diff
0.04
Rel. Sharpe diff
0.010

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.

MDYG fund page XJR 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.