Verified factor-similar pair

PSC vs SPMD

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
86
Verified similar

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

Quick Read

  • PSC has the higher backtested relative Sharpe (0.970 vs 0.952).
  • SPMD has the lower published fee (0.03% vs 0.38%).
  • SPMD is cheaper on dividend valuation (137 vs 237, where 100 is each fund's historical median).
  • PSC has the stronger regression fit (adjusted R-squared 0.952 vs 0.941).

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

PSC

Principal U.S. Small-Cap ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.952
Rel. Sharpe
0.970
Mkt beta
1.01
AUM
US$1.9B
MER
0.38%
Valuation
237

SPMD

State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 400 Mid Cap ETF
SMB
Adj. R2
0.941
Rel. Sharpe
0.952
Mkt beta
1.00
AUM
US$16.6B
MER
0.03%
Valuation
137

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
PSC
+0.75
|t|
+14.3
SPMD
+0.52
|t|
+14.2
diff +0.24
HML
PSC
+0.25
|t|
+5.5
SPMD
+0.09
|t|
+2.6
diff +0.16
RMW
PSC
+0.02
|t|
+0.4
SPMD
+0.13
|t|
+2.9
diff -0.10
CMA
PSC
-0.05
|t|
-0.8
SPMD
+0.02
|t|
+0.3
diff -0.07
UMD
PSC
+0.05
|t|
+1.3
SPMD
-0.01
|t|
-0.4
diff +0.06

Why This Pair Matches

Exposure level
81
Exposure shape
98
Mkt beta diff
0.01
Rel. Sharpe diff
0.018

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.

PSC fund page SPMD 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.