^NBI vs. ACWX
^NBI (NASDAQ Biotechnology Index) is an index, while ACWX (iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF) is Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index. Over the past 10 years, ^NBI returned 7.53%/yr vs 9.29%/yr for ACWX. Their 0.57 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently.
Performance
^NBI vs. ACWX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ^NBI achieves a 12.69% return, which is significantly lower than ACWX's 13.98% return. Over the past 10 years, ^NBI has underperformed ACWX with an annualized return of 7.53%, while ACWX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.29% annualized return.
^NBI
- 1D
- -0.34%
- 1M
- -4.93%
- 6M
- 8.68%
- YTD
- 12.69%
- 1Y
- 43.45%
- 3Y*
- 16.47%
- 5Y*
- 3.86%
- 10Y*
- 7.53%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.18%
ACWX
- 1D
- 0.54%
- 1M
- 0.57%
- 6M
- 7.43%
- YTD
- 13.98%
- 1Y
- 29.52%
- 3Y*
- 18.43%
- 5Y*
- 8.79%
- 10Y*
- 9.29%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.94%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $159.02M | $130.12M | $131.76M |
^NBI vs. ACWX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
^NBI NASDAQ Biotechnology Index | 12.69% | 32.40% | -1.37% | 3.74% | -10.91% | -0.63% | 25.69% | 24.41% | -9.32% | 21.06% |
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF | 13.98% | 32.59% | 5.17% | 15.63% | -16.07% | 7.67% | 10.29% | 21.05% | -13.99% | 27.20% |
Correlation
The correlation between ^NBI and ACWX is 0.43, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.43 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.53 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.55 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.55 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2008 | 0.57 |
The correlation between ^NBI and ACWX shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (1 year) to 0.57 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
^NBI vs. ACWX — Risk / Return Rank
^NBI
ACWX
^NBI vs. ACWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (^NBI) and iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| ^NBI | ACWX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.43 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.62 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.31 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.16 | 2.60 | +2.57 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.97 | 9.48 | +5.49 |
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Drawdowns
^NBI vs. ACWX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ^NBI drawdown since its inception was -74.70%, which is greater than ACWX's maximum drawdown of -60.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^NBI and ACWX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ^NBI | ACWX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -74.70% | -60.40% | -14.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.45% | -11.42% | +2.97% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.08% | -13.84% | -10.24% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.50% | -29.78% | -8.72% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.50% | -35.38% | -3.12% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.21% | -2.22% | -3.99% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -26.47% | -13.24% | -13.23% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.91% | 3.12% | -0.21% |
Volatility
^NBI vs. ACWX - Volatility Comparison
NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (^NBI) and iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) have volatilities of 5.34% and 5.43%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ^NBI | ACWX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.34% | 5.43% | -0.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.78% | 15.37% | +0.41% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.39% | 17.31% | +3.08% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.06% | 16.62% | +5.44% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.30% | 17.28% | +6.02% |
Frequently Asked Questions
^NBI and ACWX have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ACWX has higher volatility (5.43%) compared to ^NBI (5.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^NBI dropped -74.70% vs ACWX's -60.40%.
^NBI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.72), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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