ACWI vs. IWM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index, while IWM is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ACWI returned 12.82%/yr vs 10.97%/yr for IWM. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACWI charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

ACWI vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACWI achieves a 12.47% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 18.84% return. Over the past 10 years, ACWI has outperformed IWM with an annualized return of 12.82%, while IWM has yielded a comparatively lower 10.97% annualized 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%

IWM

• 1D: 1.51%
• 1M: 3.34%
• YTD: 18.84%
• 6M: 16.56%
• 1Y: 41.60%
• 3Y*: 19.00%
• 5Y*: 6.43%
• 10Y*: 10.97%

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

ACWI vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	12.47%	22.41%	17.45%	22.27%	-18.39%	18.66%	16.34%	26.59%	-9.19%	24.33%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	18.84%	12.66%	11.38%	16.83%	-20.48%	14.54%	20.03%	25.39%	-11.12%	14.58%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWI and IWM is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2008	0.83

The correlation between ACWI and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

ACWI vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACWI	IWM
Technology	29.4%	19.5%
Financial Services	16.1%	15.8%
Industrials	10.9%	17.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	7.8%
Communication Services	9.0%	2.0%
Healthcare	8.1%	15.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	2.1%
Energy	4.2%	6.0%
Basic Materials	3.7%	4.5%
Utilities	2.6%	3.0%
Real Estate	1.8%	5.7%

Return for Risk

ACWI vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACWI

ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 70
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 71
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 73

IWM

IWM Risk / Return Rank: 68
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 59
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). 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.

	ACWI	IWM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	2.18	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	3.00	+0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.36	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	3.79	-0.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.55	13.45	+0.10
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. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACWI Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACWI and IWM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ACWI	IWM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	2.18	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.29	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.48	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.37	+0.06

Drawdowns

ACWI vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWI drawdown since its inception was -56.00%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWI and IWM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACWI	IWM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.00%	-59.05%	+3.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.73%	-11.03%	+1.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.55%	-27.50%	+10.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.42%	-31.91%	+5.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.53%	-41.13%	+7.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.53%	-0.01%	-0.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.61%	-10.77%	+2.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.16%	3.10%	-0.94%

Volatility

ACWI vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) is 3.83%, while iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has a volatility of 5.70%. This indicates that ACWI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IWM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACWI	IWM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	5.70%	-1.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.30%	13.60%	-3.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.79%	19.19%	-6.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.05%	22.53%	-6.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.11%	23.04%	-5.93%

ACWI vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWI has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWI vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

ACWI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.38%, more than IWM's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF	0.87%	1.04%	1.15%	1.35%	1.48%	0.94%	1.04%	1.26%	1.40%	1.26%	1.38%	1.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACWI and IWM in my portfolio?

ACWI and IWM have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACWI or IWM?

IWM has higher volatility (5.70%) compared to ACWI (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACWI dropped -56.00% vs IWM's -59.05%.

Which ETF is better, ACWI or IWM?

On 10-year performance, ACWI leads with 12.82% vs 10.97% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, ACWI has been the lower-risk option at 3.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACWI or IWM?

Over the 10-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 12.82% return vs 10.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACWI or IWM?

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ACWI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ACWI or IWM?

ACWI has the higher dividend yield at 1.38%, compared with 0.87% for IWM.

What is the main difference between ACWI and IWM?

ACWI is categorized as Global Equities, while IWM is Small Cap Blend Equities. ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ACWI and 0.19% for IWM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 2.18), 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.