ACWI vs. MOAT

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) and MOAT (VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index, while MOAT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ACWI returned 12.43%/yr vs 13.34%/yr for MOAT. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACWI charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for MOAT.

Performance

ACWI vs. MOAT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACWI achieves a 9.12% return, which is significantly higher than MOAT's -1.46% return. Over the past 10 years, ACWI has underperformed MOAT with an annualized return of 12.43%, while MOAT has yielded a comparatively higher 13.34% annualized return.

ACWI

• 1D: -2.98%
• 1M: -0.64%
• YTD: 9.12%
• 6M: 9.60%
• 1Y: 24.80%
• 3Y*: 19.97%
• 5Y*: 10.68%
• 10Y*: 12.43%

MOAT

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: -1.46%
• 6M: -1.67%
• 1Y: 13.48%
• 3Y*: 11.01%
• 5Y*: 7.89%
• 10Y*: 13.34%

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

ACWI vs. MOAT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	9.12%	22.41%	17.45%	22.27%	-18.39%	18.66%	16.34%	26.59%	-9.19%	24.33%
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	-1.46%	13.20%	10.73%	31.89%	-13.66%	24.12%	14.84%	34.79%	-1.28%	23.18%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWI and MOAT is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 26, 2012	0.85

The correlation between ACWI and MOAT shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (1 year) to 0.85 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ACWI vs. MOAT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACWI	MOAT
Technology	29.4%	32.8%
Financial Services	16.1%	6.7%
Industrials	10.9%	13.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	10.3%
Communication Services	9.0%	2.4%
Healthcare	8.1%	16.0%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	17.5%
Energy	4.2%	-
Basic Materials	3.7%	-
Utilities	2.6%	-
Real Estate	1.8%	0.8%

Return for Risk

ACWI vs. MOAT — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACWI

ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 59
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 60
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 66

MOAT

MOAT Risk / Return Rank: 28
MOAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
MOAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
MOAT Omega Ratio Rank: 27
MOAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
MOAT Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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. MOAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT). 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	MOAT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	1.06	+0.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	1.59	+1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.18	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.66	1.18	+1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.88	3.66	+8.22
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. MOAT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACWI Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is higher than the MOAT Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACWI and MOAT, 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	MOAT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	1.06	+0.91
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.44	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.72	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.77	-0.35

Drawdowns

ACWI vs. MOAT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWI drawdown since its inception was -56.00%, which is greater than MOAT's maximum drawdown of -33.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWI and MOAT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACWI	MOAT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.00%	-33.31%	-22.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.73%	-12.43%	+2.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.55%	-21.44%	+4.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.42%	-23.96%	-2.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.53%	-33.31%	-0.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.49%	-5.22%	+1.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.61%	-3.83%	-4.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.17%	4.00%	-1.83%

Volatility

ACWI vs. MOAT - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) has a higher volatility of 4.59% compared to VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) at 4.05%. This indicates that ACWI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MOAT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACWI	MOAT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.59%	4.05%	+0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.76%	9.90%	+0.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.15%	13.92%	-0.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.10%	18.18%	-2.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.13%	18.69%	-1.56%

ACWI vs. MOAT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWI has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than MOAT's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWI vs. MOAT - Dividend Comparison

ACWI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.42%, more than MOAT's 1.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	1.42%	1.55%	1.70%	1.88%	1.79%	1.71%	1.43%	2.33%	2.18%	1.94%	2.19%	2.56%
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	1.38%	1.36%	1.37%	0.86%	1.25%	1.08%	1.46%	1.31%	1.79%	1.07%	1.17%	2.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACWI and MOAT in my portfolio?

ACWI and MOAT have a correlation of 0.70, 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 MOAT?

ACWI has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to MOAT (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACWI dropped -56.00% vs MOAT's -33.31%.

Which ETF is better, ACWI or MOAT?

On 10-year performance, MOAT leads with 13.34% vs 12.43% for ACWI. On fees, ACWI is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, MOAT has been the lower-risk option at 4.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACWI or MOAT?

Over the 10-year period, MOAT has performed better with a 13.34% return vs 12.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACWI or MOAT?

ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for MOAT.

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

ACWI has the higher dividend yield at 1.42%, compared with 1.38% for MOAT.

What is the main difference between ACWI and MOAT?

ACWI is categorized as Global Equities, while MOAT is Large Cap Blend Equities. ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index, while MOAT tracks Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ACWI and 0.47% for MOAT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.05), 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.