ACWX vs IVV
iShares MSCI ACWI ex US ETF vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, ACWX or IVV?
Each has led over a different period.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. ACWX led over 1Y, IVV over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ACWX is less concentrated, with 15.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%.
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 | ACWX | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $12.4B | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.46% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 1,913 | 508 |
| YTD Return | +13.74%Best | +11.57% |
| 1Y Return | +23.46%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.20% | +20.71%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.60% | +12.80%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.6% | -52.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,106 | $18,262Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.5%Best | 37.9% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2008 | May 15, 2000 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 31, 2008 to Sep 10, 2026 (18.4 years).
ACWX vs IVV 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 18.4 years both funds cover.
ACWX vs IVV Performance
iShares MSCI ACWI ex US ETF (ACWX) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year ACWX returned +23.46% while IVV returned +17.57%. Year to date, ACWX is up 13.74% versus a gain of 11.57% for IVV.
Over three years, ACWX compounded at +19.20% per year against +20.71% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +8.60% and +12.80% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +10.42% annualized vs +3.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ACWX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 15.7% for IVV. 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 -60.6% for ACWX and -52.4% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACWX charges 0.32% per year while IVV 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, ACWX currently yields 2.46% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
1.2% of ACWX's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 2.8% of IVV's money is in holdings ACWX also owns.
IVV and ACWX share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 1,837 positions we hold weights for in ACWX and 505 in IVV, against full books of 1,913 and 508.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 490 positions for IVV that do not appear in our book for ACWX (96.7% of the fund), and 27 for ACWX that do not appear in IVV (1.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ACWX | Weight in IVV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 0.00% | 1.94% | 1.94% |
| ROPRoper Technologies Inc. | 0.84% | 0.06% | 0.78% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 0.06% | 0.48% | 0.42% |
| XTSLABlackrock Cash Funds: Treasury, Sl Agency Shares | 0.08% | 0.18% | 0.10% |
| DGDollar General Corp. | 0.18% | 0.04% | 0.14% |
| UMG:ASUniversal Music Group N.V. Universal Music Group N V | 0.05% | 0.06% | 0.01% |
| HAL:MBHindustan Aeronautics Ltd | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ACWX and IVV you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ACWX or IVV?
ACWX has an expense ratio of 0.32% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACWX or IVV?
Over the past year ACWX returned +23.46% vs +17.57% for IVV, so ACWX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), ACWX annualized +3.08% vs +10.42% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACWX or IVV?
ACWX has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 15.7% for IVV. Worst drawdown: ACWX -60.6% vs IVV -52.4%.
Should I hold both ACWX and IVV?
ACWX and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 ACWX and IVV?
2.8% of IVV's money is in holdings ACWX also owns. 2.8% of IVV's is in holdings ACWX also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 1,837 positions we hold weights for in ACWX and 505 in IVV.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACWX or IVV?
ACWX yields 2.46% while IVV yields 1.06%, so ACWX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than ACWX?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. ACWX led over 1Y, IVV over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ACWX is less concentrated, with 15.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.