ACWV vs VXUS
iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ACWV or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ACWV led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y.
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 | ACWV | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.86% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 437 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +4.86% | +12.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.34% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.90% | +20.14%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.47% | +8.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.0%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -28.8%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,051 | $15,295Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 18, 2011 | Jan 26, 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 23, 2026 (14.9 years).
ACWV vs VXUS 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.
ACWV vs VXUS Performance
iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF (ACWV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ACWV returned +5.34% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, ACWV is up 4.86% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Over three years, ACWV compounded at +10.90% per year against +20.14% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.47% and +8.87% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, ACWV has the edge at +8.31% annualized vs +5.96%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 10.0% for ACWV. 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 -28.8% for ACWV and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACWV charges 0.20% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $5 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACWV currently yields 1.86% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 27.5% of ACWV's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
ACWV and VXUS share little of their money.
142 positions in common, counted across the 376 positions we hold weights for in ACWV and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 437 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ACWV | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 0.12% | 1.41% | 1.29% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag – Class N | 0.85% | 0.65% | 0.20% |
| 9433:JPKddi Corp | 1.03% | 0.12% | 0.91% |
| 9434:JPSoftbank | 0.82% | 0.09% | 0.73% |
| 3988:HKBank Of China Ltd. | 0.79% | 0.11% | 0.68% |
| DTE:FFDeutsche Telekom AG Deutsche Telekom Agnamens Aktien O N | 0.50% | 0.24% | 0.26% |
| BHARTIARTL:MBBharti Airtel Ltd | 0.58% | 0.14% | 0.44% |
| NESN:SMNestle Sa | 0.12% | 0.58% | 0.46% |
| CSU:CAConstellation Software Inc/Canada | 0.56% | 0.09% | 0.47% |
| 6861:JPKeyence Corp__0 | 0.44% | 0.21% | 0.23% |
27.5% of ACWV is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ACWV or VXUS?
ACWV has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACWV or VXUS?
Over the past year ACWV returned +5.34% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), ACWV annualized +8.31% vs +5.96% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACWV or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 10.0% for ACWV. Worst drawdown: ACWV -28.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both ACWV and VXUS?
ACWV and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 ACWV and VXUS?
At least 27.5% of ACWV's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 142 positions in common, counted across the 376 positions we hold weights for in ACWV and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACWV or VXUS?
ACWV yields 1.86% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ACWV?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ACWV led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.