ACWI vs VOO
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, ACWI or VOO?
Nearly the same fund. VOO costs less.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. ACWI led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96.
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 | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $33.0B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.40% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 2,280 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +14.33%Best | +14.14% |
| 1Y Return | +18.73%Best | +17.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.88% | +23.16%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.61% | +13.85%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Tie | 14.1%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -33.5%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,319 | $19,128Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2008 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 21, 2026 (16 years).
ACWI vs VOO 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 16 years both funds cover.
ACWI vs VOO Performance
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ACWI returned +18.73% while VOO returned +17.31%. Year to date, ACWI is up 14.33% versus a gain of 14.14% for VOO.
Over three years, ACWI compounded at +21.88% per year against +23.16% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +11.61% and +13.85% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.49% annualized vs +9.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ACWI and VOO have been equally volatile, both at 14.1% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -33.5% for ACWI and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACWI charges 0.32% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $3 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACWI currently yields 1.40% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 95.7% of VOO'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 VOO is already inside ACWI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
384 positions in common, counted across the 1,480 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 494 in VOO, against full books of 2,280 and 509.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ACWI | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 4.87% | 7.55% | 2.68% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.46% | 7.05% | 2.59% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.43% | 5.36% | 1.93% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.41% | 4.13% | 1.72% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 1.91% | 3.24% | 1.33% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.61% | 2.86% | 1.25% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.50% | 2.62% | 1.12% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.20% | 1.90% | 0.70% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.04% | 1.44% | 0.40% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.01% | 1.36% | 0.35% |
95.7% of VOO 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 VOO?
ACWI has an expense ratio of 0.32% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACWI or VOO?
Over the past year ACWI returned +18.73% vs +17.31% for VOO, so ACWI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), ACWI annualized +9.46% vs +13.49% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACWI or VOO?
ACWI and VOO have been equally volatile, both at 14.1% annualized. Worst drawdown: ACWI -33.5% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both ACWI and VOO?
ACWI and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ACWI and VOO?
At least 95.7% of VOO's money is in holdings ACWI also owns. Our book for ACWI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 384 positions in common, counted across the 1,480 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACWI or VOO?
ACWI yields 1.40% while VOO yields 1.04%, so ACWI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than ACWI?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. ACWI led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.