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ACWI vs. MS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ACWI vs. MS

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) is Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index, while MS (Morgan Stanley) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, ACWI returned 13.02%/yr vs 27.71%/yr for MS. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

ACWI vs. MS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) and Morgan Stanley (MS). 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 10.59% return, which is significantly lower than MS's 21.88% return. Over the past 10 years, ACWI has underperformed MS with an annualized return of 13.02%, while MS has yielded a comparatively higher 27.71% annualized return.

ACWI

1D
0.41%
1M
-0.11%
YTD
10.59%
6M
11.34%
1Y
26.86%
3Y*
19.78%
5Y*
10.88%
10Y*
13.02%

MS

1D
0.65%
1M
10.03%
YTD
21.88%
6M
21.28%
1Y
69.28%
3Y*
38.69%
5Y*
22.26%
10Y*
27.71%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACWI vs. MS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ACWI
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF		10.59%22.41%17.45%22.27%-18.39%18.66%16.34%26.59%-9.19%24.33%
MS
Morgan Stanley		21.88%45.16%39.73%13.93%-10.34%46.65%38.09%32.67%-22.76%26.61%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWI and MS is 0.65, 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

0.65

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.61

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.67

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.65

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2008

0.66

The correlation between ACWI and MS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

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

Morgan Stanley

Often compared with ACWI:
ACWI vs. VTACWI vs. SPYACWI vs. VWRL.LACWI vs. ACWXACWI vs. ACWI.LACWI vs. VOOACWI vs. VTI
Often compared with MS:
MS vs. MSCIMS vs. SCHWMS vs. SCHDMS vs. FXAIXMS vs. PNCMS vs. IBKRMS vs. BLK

Return for Risk

ACWI vs. MS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ACWI
ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6767
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
MS
MS Risk / Return Rank: 9191
Overall Rank
MS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9494
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MS Sortino Ratio Rank: 9191
Sortino Ratio Rank
MS Omega Ratio Rank: 9191
Omega Ratio Rank
MS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8787
Calmar Ratio Rank
MS Martin Ratio Rank: 9191
Martin Ratio Rank
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. MS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) and Morgan Stanley (MS). 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.

ACWIMSDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.90
2.58

-0.68

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.62
3.19

-0.57

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.43

-0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.62

3.53

-0.91

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.46

11.65

-0.19

ACWI vs. MS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACWI Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the MS Sharpe Ratio of 2.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACWI and MS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

ACWI vs. MS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWI drawdown since its inception was -56.00%, smaller than the maximum MS drawdown of -88.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWI and MS.

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Drawdown Indicators

ACWIMSDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-56.00%

-88.12%

+32.12%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.73%

-18.83%

+9.10%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.55%

-29.24%

+12.69%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.42%

-32.38%

+5.96%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.53%

-51.33%

+17.80%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.19%

-1.94%

-0.25%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.60%

-33.69%

+25.09%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.22%

5.70%

-3.48%

Volatility

ACWI vs. MS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) is 5.17%, while Morgan Stanley (MS) has a volatility of 8.62%. This indicates that ACWI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ACWIMSDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.17%

8.62%

-3.45%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.09%

21.46%

-10.37%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.42%

25.81%

-12.39%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.15%

28.75%

-12.60%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.14%

31.51%

-14.37%

Dividends

ACWI vs. MS - Dividend Comparison

ACWI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.40%, less than MS's 1.87% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ACWI
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF		1.40%1.55%1.70%1.88%1.79%1.71%1.43%2.33%2.18%1.94%2.19%2.56%
MS
Morgan Stanley		1.87%2.17%2.82%3.49%3.47%2.14%2.04%2.54%2.77%1.72%1.66%1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

ACWI and MS have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

MS has higher volatility (8.62%) compared to ACWI (5.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACWI dropped -56.00% vs MS's -88.12%.

MS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.58 vs 1.90), 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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