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ACWI vs. BDVL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ACWI vs. BDVL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) and BDVL (iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF) are both Global Equities funds from iShares - ACWI tracks the MSCI All Country World Index while BDVL tracks the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACWI charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for BDVL.

Performance

ACWI vs. BDVL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) and iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACWI achieves a 12.47% return, which is significantly higher than BDVL's 5.11% return.

ACWI

1D
0.30%
1M
4.45%
YTD
12.47%
6M
13.07%
1Y
29.24%
3Y*
21.38%
5Y*
11.35%
10Y*
12.82%

BDVL

1D
0.38%
1M
0.49%
YTD
5.11%
6M
5.65%
1Y
—
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACWI vs. BDVL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025
ACWI
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF		12.47%4.00%
BDVL
iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF		5.11%1.97%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWI and BDVL is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2025

0.84

ACWI vs. BDVL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ACWI
BDVL

Technology

29.4%
23.0%

Financial Services

16.1%
13.9%

Industrials

10.9%
15.4%

Consumer Cyclical

9.3%
8.5%

Communication Services

9.0%
10.7%

Healthcare

8.1%
11.1%

Consumer Defensive

5.0%
6.3%

Energy

4.2%
2.8%

Basic Materials

3.7%
2.6%

Utilities

2.6%
4.8%

Real Estate

1.8%
1.0%

Technology

ACWI
29.4%
BDVL
23.0%

Financial Services

ACWI
16.1%
BDVL
13.9%

Industrials

ACWI
10.9%
BDVL
15.4%

Consumer Cyclical

ACWI
9.3%
BDVL
8.5%

Communication Services

ACWI
9.0%
BDVL
10.7%

Healthcare

ACWI
8.1%
BDVL
11.1%

Consumer Defensive

ACWI
5.0%
BDVL
6.3%

Energy

ACWI
4.2%
BDVL
2.8%

Basic Materials

ACWI
3.7%
BDVL
2.6%

Utilities

ACWI
2.6%
BDVL
4.8%

Real Estate

ACWI
1.8%
BDVL
1.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI ACWI ETF

iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF

Often compared with ACWI:
ACWI vs. VTACWI vs. SPYACWI vs. VWRL.LACWI vs. ACWXACWI vs. ACWI.LACWI vs. VOOACWI vs. VTI
Often compared with BDVL:
BDVL vs. CGGEBDVL vs. VTBDVL vs. DFAWBDVL vs. UFOBDVL vs. IVESBDVL vs. AVGVBDVL vs. PAWZ

Return for Risk

ACWI vs. BDVL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ACWI
ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6262
Calmar Ratio Rank
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
BDVL
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 vs. BDVL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) and iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL). 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.

ACWIBDVLDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.30

—

—

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.17

—

—

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.42

—

—

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.02

—

—

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.55

—

—

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ACWI vs. BDVL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

ACWIBDVLDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.30

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.71

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.75

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.43

1.07

-0.64

Drawdowns

ACWI vs. BDVL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWI drawdown since its inception was -56.00%, which is greater than BDVL's maximum drawdown of -7.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWI and BDVL.

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Drawdown Indicators

ACWIBDVLDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-56.00%

-7.71%

-48.29%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.73%

—

—

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.55%

—

—

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.42%

—

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.53%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.53%

-0.57%

+0.04%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.61%

-1.19%

-7.42%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.16%

—

—

Volatility

ACWI vs. BDVL - Volatility Comparison

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Volatility by Period

ACWIBDVLDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.83%

—

—

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.30%

—

—

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.79%

9.47%

+3.32%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.05%

9.47%

+6.58%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.11%

9.47%

+7.64%

ACWI vs. BDVL - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWI has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than BDVL's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWI vs. BDVL - Dividend Comparison

ACWI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.38%, less than BDVL's 2.65% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ACWI
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF		1.38%1.55%1.70%1.88%1.79%1.71%1.43%2.33%2.18%1.94%2.19%2.56%
BDVL
iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF		2.65%2.79%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

ACWI and BDVL have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, ACWI is cheaper at 0.32% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for BDVL.

BDVL has the higher dividend yield at 2.65%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.

ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index, while BDVL tracks MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility Index. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ACWI and 0.40% for BDVL.

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