US Equities - Updated Monthly

US ETF Leaders

Updated April 2026 with factor data through February 2026. 5,039 US-listed ETFs are in the current universe, 1,330 were excluded as under two years old, 2,371 produced usable analysis output, and 17 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
1,330
Fewer than 24 monthly returns
Analyzed
2,371
Produced valid analysis output
Leaders
17
Passed publish filters
Top Leader
BALI
iShares U.S. Large Cap Premium Income Active ETF

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 % Factor Beta %
Backtested		 Rel. Sharpe
Backtested		 Rel. Sharpe
Actual		 Period Start Adj.
R^2		 Dividend Val.
100=Median		 MER
%		 AUM
($M)
Ticker Fund Name Fund
Score		 Mkt
Beta		 Small Value Profitability Investment Momentum Alpha % Factor Beta %
Backtested		 Rel. Sharpe
Backtested		 Rel. Sharpe
Actual		 Period Start Adj.
R^2		 Dividend Val.
100=Median		 MER
%		 AUM
($M)
BALI iShares U.S. Large Cap Premium Income Active ETF 100.0 87.3 - 25.8 54.1 - - -1.19 1.21 1.488 1.096 2.42Y 29M 2023-Oct 0.972 81.1 0.35 893
DCOR Dimensional US Core Equity 1 ETF 98.4 97.7 10.8 28.7 - 44.1 - -0.89 1.34 1.378 0.930 2.42Y 29M 2023-Oct 0.991 109.0 0.14 2,810
DFAT Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF 95.1 99.7 96.1 99.4 86.2 - - 0.95 3.61 1.331 0.669 4.67Y 56M 2021-Jul 0.978 96.0 0.28 13,130
DFSV Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF 91.3 100.0 98.2 100.0 92.6 - - 1.27 3.72 1.278 0.515 4.00Y 48M 2022-Mar 0.978 92.2 0.30 7,100
VFMF Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF 87.1 94.4 49.2 82.0 52.7 - 92.6 -0.49 3.70 1.219 0.743 8.00Y 96M 2018-Mar 0.968 114.9 0.18 568
VIOG Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF 82.7 96.9 98.9 17.6 59.0 - 99.1 -0.76 3.11 1.158 0.647 15.42Y 185M 2010-Oct 0.959 111.4 0.10 894
VIOO Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF 82.3 97.1 99.9 51.2 52.4 - 40.7 -0.53 3.15 1.152 0.606 15.42Y 185M 2010-Oct 0.980 90.7 0.07 3,560
DFAS Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF 78.1 99.5 93.2 55.0 73.3 - - -0.88 3.15 1.094 0.396 4.67Y 56M 2021-Jul 0.983 107.6 0.26 13,390
VIOV Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF 76.3 98.0 100.0 82.8 39.8 - - -0.39 2.88 1.067 0.539 15.42Y 185M 2010-Oct 0.979 99.5 0.10 1,620
DIVB iShares Core Dividend ETF 75.8 91.7 - 50.7 50.0 100.0 - -0.22 1.60 1.061 0.900 8.25Y 99M 2017-Dec 0.956 101.1 0.05 1,280
USVM VictoryShares US Small Mid Cap Value Momentum ETF 74.5 97.0 85.7 49.9 51.0 - 100.0 -1.17 3.62 1.042 0.546 8.33Y 100M 2017-Nov 0.964 93.3 0.29 1,500
IMCV iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Value ETF 74.3 96.6 26.4 84.7 45.3 84.4 - -0.69 2.02 1.041 0.734 21.58Y 259M 2004-Aug 0.953 113.6 0.06 1,010
VBR Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF 73.8 99.6 67.0 76.6 41.3 - - -0.76 2.46 1.033 0.674 22.08Y 265M 2004-Feb 0.975 106.2 0.05 33,730
SSPY Stratified LargeCap Index ETF 73.3 92.6 14.7 33.8 53.6 81.6 - -1.12 1.62 1.026 0.810 11.17Y 134M 2015-Jan 0.953 106.9 0.45 119
JPSE JPMorgan Diversified Return U.S. Small Cap Equity ETF 72.9 93.9 94.6 42.1 69.6 - - -0.85 3.12 1.020 0.500 9.25Y 111M 2016-Dec 0.973 109.5 0.29 557
BFOR ALPS Barron's 400 ETF 72.8 99.3 58.5 44.4 83.2 - 46.1 -1.72 2.67 1.019 0.670 12.67Y 152M 2013-Jul 0.952 104.4 0.65 207
DGRS WisdomTree US Smallcap Quality Dividend Growth Fund 72.1 91.9 95.4 61.9 100.0 - - -1.47 3.54 1.009 0.456 12.58Y 151M 2013-Aug 0.958 98.3 0.38 370
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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.