ACWI vs VT
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF vs Vanguard Total World Stock ETF
Which is better, ACWI or VT?
Nearly the same fund. VT costs less.
VT has a lower expense ratio. ACWI led over 1Y and 5Y, VT over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | VT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $33.0B | $97.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.40% | 1.55% |
| Holdings | 2,280 | 10,133 |
| YTD Return | +13.19% | +13.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.16%Best | +18.91% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.43% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.78%Best | +10.72% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5%Best | 16.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -51.6% | -50.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,684Best | $16,639 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2008 | Jun 24, 2008 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2008 to Sep 11, 2026 (18.2 years).
ACWI vs VT 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 18.2 years both funds cover.
ACWI vs VT Performance
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ACWI returned +19.16% while VT returned +18.91%. Year to date, ACWI is up 13.19% versus a gain of 13.23% for VT.
Over three years, ACWI compounded at +20.43% per year against +20.48% for VT; over five years the annualized figures are +10.78% and +10.72% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VT has the edge at +7.28% annualized vs +7.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 16.5% 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 -51.6% for ACWI and -50.6% for VT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. 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 VT 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 1.55% for VT.
Holdings Overlap
At least 85.0% of ACWI's money is in holdings VT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VT, our book for it covers 89.0% 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 ACWI is already inside VT. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,632 positions in common, counted across the 2,177 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 9,267 in VT, against full books of 2,280 and 10,133.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ACWI | Weight in VT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 4.85% | 4.00% | 0.85% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.37% | 3.59% | 0.78% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 3.29% | 2.38% | 0.91% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.53% | 1.98% | 0.55% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.59% | 1.81% | 0.22% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.80% | 1.51% | 0.29% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.96% | 1.12% | 0.16% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 0.87% | 1.05% | 0.18% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 0.90% | 0.82% | 0.08% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 0.92% | 0.70% | 0.22% |
85.0% of ACWI is already inside VT.
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 VT?
ACWI has an expense ratio of 0.32% while VT charges 0.06%. VT is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACWI or VT?
Over the past year ACWI returned +19.16% vs +18.91% for VT, so ACWI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), ACWI annualized +7.22% vs +7.28% for VT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACWI or VT?
VT has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 16.5% for ACWI. Worst drawdown: ACWI -51.6% vs VT -50.6%.
Should I hold both ACWI and VT?
ACWI and VT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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 VT?
At least 85.0% of ACWI's money is in holdings VT also owns. Our book for VT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,632 positions in common, counted across the 2,177 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 9,267 in VT.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACWI or VT?
ACWI yields 1.40% while VT yields 1.55%, so VT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VT better than ACWI?
VT has a lower expense ratio. ACWI led over 1Y and 5Y, VT over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.