US Equities - Updated Monthly

US ETF Leaders

Updated August 2026 with factor data through June 2026. 5,039 US-listed ETFs are in the current universe, 1,774 were excluded as under two years old, 2,502 produced usable analysis output, and 13 passed the publish filters.

Analysis model: Fama-French 5-factor model plus momentum (UMD)
Leaders are screened for sufficient history, market-like beta, statistically credible regression fit, positive backtested relative Sharpe, meaningful factor beta, and non-expensive dividend valuation. Relative valuation is based on split-adjusted recurring distributions versus the fund's own history; special distributions are excluded from valuation but remain in total return. A fund must also score on at least one non-market factor beyond market beta to qualify for the Leaders list.
What makes this page useful for ETF selection

The US leaders table is the shortlist layer for investors who want factor exposure without paying active-like fees for weak implementation. Instead of ranking funds on trailing total return alone, the page favors cleaner market and style capture, stronger risk-adjusted factor profiles, and valuations that are not stretched relative to each fund's own distribution history. Use it to narrow the field before digging deeper into the full US universe and the methodology behind each score.

Important disclaimer

This leaders list is educational research, not a personalized buy list or fiduciary recommendation. A fund can score well here and still be wrong for your taxes, liquidity needs, account type, or mandate. Use the list to focus research, then verify fit with the fund documents and your own constraints.

Universe
5,039
US-listed ETF universe
Excluded as < 2y Old
1,774
Fewer than 24 monthly returns
Analyzed
2,502
Produced valid analysis output
Leaders
13
Passed publish filters
Top Leader
DFAT
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF
This update
June 2026 update: 6 added / 2 dropped / 0 methodology exclusions
Download and API access

Use the table's CSV export for a spreadsheet snapshot. For agents, scripts, and repeatable research workflows, use the VerifiedBeta API for structured leaders data, factor metrics, model metadata, and ticker aliases.

Scroll horizontally using the top or bottom bar to view the full factor and performance detail.

Ticker Fund Name Fund
Score		 Mkt
Beta		 Small Value Profitability Investment Momentum Alpha % Non-Mkt
Factor %		 Rel. Sharpe
Backtested		 Rel. Sharpe
Actual		 Period Start Adj.
R^2		 Dividend Val.
100=Median		 MER
%		 AUM
($M)
Ticker Fund Name Fund
Score		 Mkt
Beta		 Small Value Profitability Investment Momentum Alpha % Non-Mkt
Factor %		 Rel. Sharpe
Backtested		 Rel. Sharpe
Actual		 Period Start Adj.
R^2		 Dividend Val.
100=Median		 MER
%		 AUM
($M)
DFAT Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF 100.0 97.0 95.8 96.0 97.6 - - 1.11 3.50 1.348 0.688 5.00Y 60M 2021-Jul 0.978 105.5 0.28 13,130
DCOR Dimensional US Core Equity 1 ETF 98.1 95.6 10.9 27.3 23.1 49.3 - -0.72 1.19 1.286 0.954 2.75Y 33M 2023-Oct 0.993 114.9 0.14 2,810
DFSV Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF 97.3 98.8 94.9 100.0 100.0 - - 1.28 3.45 1.275 0.547 4.33Y 52M 2022-Mar 0.979 102.1 0.30 7,100
VIOO Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF 90.8 95.3 99.9 51.6 51.9 - 44.3 -0.24 3.34 1.191 0.637 15.75Y 189M 2010-Oct 0.979 100.2 0.07 3,560
DFAS Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF 88.3 97.0 93.7 47.0 71.3 - - -0.24 3.12 1.158 0.504 5.00Y 60M 2021-Jul 0.980 105.9 0.26 13,390
DIVB iShares Core Dividend ETF 82.7 90.9 - 53.0 - 100.0 - 0.28 1.00 1.084 0.925 8.58Y 103M 2017-Dec 0.951 116.3 0.05 1,280
VIOV Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF 82.6 96.1 99.2 83.8 41.3 - - -0.24 2.98 1.082 0.562 15.75Y 189M 2010-Oct 0.979 98.9 0.10 1,620
AESR Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF 80.4 100.0 - - - 71.1 100.0 -0.19 1.04 1.054 1.128 6.50Y 78M 2020-Jan 0.966 39.3 1.18 153
JPSE JPMorgan Diversified Return U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF 80.2 92.3 94.4 43.4 75.1 - - -0.60 3.24 1.051 0.535 9.58Y 115M 2016-Dec 0.973 116.7 0.29 557
USVM VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF 79.8 94.3 86.9 47.3 59.5 - 90.8 -1.07 3.70 1.046 0.584 8.67Y 104M 2017-Nov 0.962 79.3 0.29 1,500
SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF 78.3 95.2 100.0 43.9 32.2 - 46.3 -0.92 3.08 1.027 0.524 12.92Y 155M 2013-Aug 0.978 117.0 0.03 14,740
VBR Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF 78.0 97.3 67.4 74.6 52.9 - - -0.79 2.50 1.023 0.674 22.42Y 269M 2004-Feb 0.974 109.3 0.05 33,730
SSPY Stratified LargeCap Index ETF 77.2 90.2 16.0 30.0 66.8 91.5 - -1.03 1.43 1.012 0.787 11.50Y 138M 2015-Jan 0.952 115.3 0.45 119
What changed this update

13 US Leaders after the June 2026 factor update, versus 9 in the prior factor month.

Factor data advanced from May 2026 to June 2026.

Added
  • DIVB iShares Core Dividend ETF Factor contributionFactor score Non-market factor contribution moved from 0.99% to 1.00%, clearing the 1.00% threshold. A non-market factor score now meets the qualification rule.
  • AESR Anfield U.S. Equity Sector Rotation ETF PerformanceFactor contributionFactor score Backtested relative Sharpe moved from 0.96x to 1.05x, clearing the 1.00x threshold. Non-market factor contribution moved from 0.91% to 1.04%, clearing the 1.00% threshold. A non-market factor score now meets the qualification rule.
  • USVM VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF PerformanceFactor score Backtested relative Sharpe moved from 1.00x to 1.05x, clearing the 1.00x threshold. A non-market factor score now meets the qualification rule.
  • SPSM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 600 Small Cap ETF PerformanceFactor score Backtested relative Sharpe moved from 0.96x to 1.03x, clearing the 1.00x threshold. A non-market factor score now meets the qualification rule.
  • VBR Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF PerformanceFactor score Backtested relative Sharpe moved from 1.00x to 1.02x, clearing the 1.00x threshold. A non-market factor score now meets the qualification rule.
  • SSPY Stratified LargeCap Index ETF PerformanceFactor score Backtested relative Sharpe moved from 0.97x to 1.01x, clearing the 1.00x threshold. A non-market factor score now meets the qualification rule.
Dropped
  • VFMF Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF Factor scoreDividend valuation No non-market factor score met the current significance/materiality rule. Relative dividend valuation is 121.5, above the 120.0 limit.
  • DTD WisdomTree U.S. Total Dividend Fund Factor scoreDividend valuation No non-market factor score met the current significance/materiality rule. Relative dividend valuation is 146.8, above the 120.0 limit.
Methodology
No current pipeline Leaders were removed by the implementation-type rule.

Methodology update: enhanced-income, covered-call, option-income, defined-outcome, levered/inverse, and single-stock-linked funds are now kept in Universe but excluded from Leaders.

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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.