ACWI vs SCHD
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF
Which is better, ACWI or SCHD?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. ACWI led over 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ACWI | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $33.0B | $112.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.40% | 3.00% |
| Holdings | 2,280 | 103 |
| YTD Return | +14.33% | +23.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.73% | +28.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.88%Best | +16.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.61%Best | +10.25% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 13.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.5% | -33.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,319Best | $16,289 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2008 | Oct 20, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2011 to Sep 21, 2026 (14.9 years).
ACWI vs SCHD growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 14.9 years both funds cover.
ACWI vs SCHD Performance
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year ACWI returned +18.73% while SCHD returned +28.29%. Year to date, ACWI is up 14.33% versus a gain of 23.60% for SCHD.
Over three years, ACWI compounded at +21.88% per year against +16.25% for SCHD; over five years the annualized figures are +11.61% and +10.25% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, SCHD has the edge at +11.25% annualized vs +10.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SCHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.7% compared with 13.6% for ACWI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -33.5% for ACWI and -33.4% for SCHD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACWI charges 0.32% per year while SCHD charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $6 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACWI currently yields 1.40% against 3.00% for SCHD.
Holdings Overlap
At least 90.2% of SCHD's money is in holdings ACWI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ACWI, our book for it covers 92.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of SCHD is already inside ACWI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
40 positions in common, counted across the 1,480 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 100 in SCHD, against full books of 2,280 and 103.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ACWI | Weight in SCHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.35% | 4.77% | 4.42% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.22% | 4.70% | 4.48% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 0.18% | 4.69% | 4.51% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.33% | 4.17% | 3.84% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.37% | 4.02% | 3.65% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.31% | 3.88% | 3.57% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.20% | 3.97% | 3.77% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.34% | 3.82% | 3.48% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.32% | 3.83% | 3.51% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 0.15% | 3.94% | 3.79% |
90.2% of SCHD is already inside ACWI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ACWI or SCHD?
ACWI has an expense ratio of 0.32% while SCHD charges 0.06%. SCHD is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACWI or SCHD?
Over the past year ACWI returned +18.73% vs +28.29% for SCHD, so SCHD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), ACWI annualized +10.09% vs +11.25% for SCHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACWI or SCHD?
SCHD has been the more volatile fund at 13.7% annualized versus 13.6% for ACWI. Worst drawdown: ACWI -33.5% vs SCHD -33.4%.
Should I hold both ACWI and SCHD?
ACWI and SCHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ACWI and SCHD?
At least 90.2% of SCHD's money is in holdings ACWI also owns. Our book for ACWI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 40 positions in common, counted across the 1,480 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 100 in SCHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACWI or SCHD?
ACWI yields 1.40% while SCHD yields 3.00%, so SCHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHD better than ACWI?
SCHD has a lower expense ratio. ACWI led over 3Y and 5Y, SCHD over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.