ACWI.L vs. WQDS.L

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

ACWI.L (SPDR MSCI ACWI UCITS ETF) and WQDS.L (iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist)) are both Global Equities funds - ACWI.L tracks the MSCI ACWI Index while WQDS.L tracks the MSCI World High Dividend Yield ESG Reduced Carbon Target Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ACWI.L returned 11.22%/yr vs 12.69%/yr for WQDS.L. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ACWI.L charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for WQDS.L.

Performance

ACWI.L vs. WQDS.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in SPDR MSCI ACWI UCITS ETF (ACWI.L) and iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (WQDS.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

ACWI.L is traded in GBP, while WQDS.L is traded in GBp. To make them comparable, the WQDS.L values have been converted to GBP using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACWI.L achieves a 10.26% return, which is significantly lower than WQDS.L's 15.40% return.

ACWI.L

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -2.64%
• 6M: 8.82%
• YTD: 10.26%
• 1Y: 21.87%
• 3Y*: 16.84%
• 5Y*: 11.22%
• 10Y*: 11.98%
• ALL TIME*: 11.38%

WQDS.L

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -0.77%
• 6M: 13.70%
• YTD: 15.40%
• 1Y: 26.94%
• 3Y*: 16.21%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.29%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACWI.L vs. WQDS.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACWI.L SPDR MSCI ACWI UCITS ETF	10.26%	14.32%	19.66%	15.59%	-8.59%	20.16%	11.93%	22.61%	-4.50%	4.77%
WQDS.L iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist)	15.40%	15.54%	11.68%	10.80%	4.05%	17.47%	-3.37%	18.77%	-5.32%	-20.48%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWI.L and WQDS.L is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2017	0.71

The correlation between ACWI.L and WQDS.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

ACWI.L vs. WQDS.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACWI.L	WQDS.L
Technology	32.6%	35.8%
Financial Services	16.0%	17.5%
Industrials	10.8%	9.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.7%	5.8%
Healthcare	8.3%	13.3%
Communication Services	8.0%	5.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.8%
Energy	3.5%	3.2%
Basic Materials	3.4%	0.9%
Utilities	2.5%	3.0%
Real Estate	1.6%	1.0%

Return for Risk

ACWI.L vs. WQDS.L — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ACWI.L

ACWI.L Risk / Return Rank: 82
ACWI.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
ACWI.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
ACWI.L Omega Ratio Rank: 82
ACWI.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
ACWI.L Martin Ratio Rank: 83

WQDS.L

WQDS.L Risk / Return Rank: 92
WQDS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
WQDS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
WQDS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 92
WQDS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
WQDS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ACWI.L vs. WQDS.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI ACWI UCITS ETF (ACWI.L) and iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (WQDS.L). 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.

	ACWI.L	WQDS.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.59	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	3.72	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.48	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	3.97	-0.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.81	14.72	-2.90

ACWI.L vs. WQDS.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACWI.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the WQDS.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACWI.L and WQDS.L, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ACWI.L vs. WQDS.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWI.L drawdown since its inception was -26.07%, smaller than the maximum WQDS.L drawdown of -30.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWI.L and WQDS.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACWI.L	WQDS.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.07%	-30.62%	+4.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.05%	-6.75%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.07%	-14.93%	-5.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.07%	-14.93%	-5.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.64%	-1.19%	-1.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.38%	-8.98%	+4.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	1.82%	+0.03%

Volatility

ACWI.L vs. WQDS.L - Volatility Comparison

SPDR MSCI ACWI UCITS ETF (ACWI.L) has a higher volatility of 3.16% compared to iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (WQDS.L) at 2.74%. This indicates that ACWI.L's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WQDS.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACWI.L	WQDS.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.16%	2.74%	+0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.45%	8.04%	+0.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.02%	10.38%	+0.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.00%	11.57%	+7.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.61%	14.95%	+2.66%

ACWI.L vs. WQDS.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWI.L has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than WQDS.L's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWI.L vs. WQDS.L - Dividend Comparison

ACWI.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while WQDS.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.15%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ACWI.L SPDR MSCI ACWI UCITS ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
WQDS.L iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist)	2.15%	2.34%	2.56%	2.86%	2.97%	2.70%	3.03%	3.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACWI.L and WQDS.L in my portfolio?

ACWI.L and WQDS.L have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ACWI.L or WQDS.L?

On fees, WQDS.L is cheaper at 0.38% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACWI.L or WQDS.L?

WQDS.L is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for ACWI.L.

What is the main difference between ACWI.L and WQDS.L?

ACWI.L tracks MSCI ACWI Index, while WQDS.L tracks MSCI World High Dividend Yield ESG Reduced Carbon Target Select Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for ACWI.L and 0.38% for WQDS.L.