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ACWI vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ACWI vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ACWI returned 13.02%/yr vs 21.79%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACWI charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

ACWI vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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 QQQ's 17.57% return. Over the past 10 years, ACWI has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 13.02%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.79% annualized return.

ACWI

1D
0.41%
1M
0.38%
YTD
10.59%
6M
11.34%
1Y
25.40%
3Y*
19.78%
5Y*
10.88%
10Y*
13.02%

QQQ

1D
0.59%
1M
0.93%
YTD
17.57%
6M
17.85%
1Y
35.82%
3Y*
26.43%
5Y*
16.85%
10Y*
21.79%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ACWI vs. QQQ - 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%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		17.57%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWI and QQQ is 0.90, 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

0.90

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

0.89

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

0.90

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

0.87

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

0.85

The correlation between ACWI and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

ACWI vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ACWI
QQQ

Technology

29.4%
53.8%

Financial Services

16.1%
0.2%

Industrials

10.9%
2.8%

Consumer Cyclical

9.3%
12.3%

Communication Services

9.0%
15.8%

Healthcare

8.1%
4.2%

Consumer Defensive

5.0%
7.7%

Energy

4.2%
0.6%

Basic Materials

3.7%
1.1%

Utilities

2.6%
1.4%

Real Estate

1.8%
0.1%

Technology

ACWI
29.4%
QQQ
53.8%

Financial Services

ACWI
16.1%
QQQ
0.2%

Industrials

ACWI
10.9%
QQQ
2.8%

Consumer Cyclical

ACWI
9.3%
QQQ
12.3%

Communication Services

ACWI
9.0%
QQQ
15.8%

Healthcare

ACWI
8.1%
QQQ
4.2%

Consumer Defensive

ACWI
5.0%
QQQ
7.7%

Energy

ACWI
4.2%
QQQ
0.6%

Basic Materials

ACWI
3.7%
QQQ
1.1%

Utilities

ACWI
2.6%
QQQ
1.4%

Real Estate

ACWI
1.8%
QQQ
0.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares MSCI ACWI ETF

Invesco QQQ 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 QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. QQQI

Return for Risk

ACWI vs. QQQ — 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
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
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. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

ACWIQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.90
2.09

-0.19

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.62
2.73

-0.11

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.37

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.62

3.01

-0.39

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.46

11.22

+0.24

ACWI vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACWI Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACWI and QQQ, 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. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWI drawdown since its inception was -56.00%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWI and QQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

ACWIQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-56.00%

-82.97%

+26.97%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.73%

-11.96%

+2.23%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.55%

-22.77%

+6.22%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.42%

-35.12%

+8.70%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.53%

-35.12%

+1.59%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.19%

-3.33%

+1.14%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.60%

-32.75%

+24.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.22%

3.20%

-0.98%

Volatility

ACWI vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) is 5.17%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 7.56%. This indicates that ACWI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ACWIQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.17%

7.56%

-2.39%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.09%

13.81%

-2.72%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.42%

17.19%

-3.77%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.15%

22.55%

-6.40%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.14%

22.38%

-5.24%

ACWI vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWI has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWI vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

ACWI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.40%, more than QQQ's 0.39% 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%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.39%0.45%0.56%0.62%0.80%0.43%0.55%0.74%0.91%0.84%1.06%0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.90, ACWI and QQQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

QQQ has higher volatility (7.56%) compared to ACWI (5.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACWI dropped -56.00% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.79% vs 13.02% for ACWI. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, ACWI has been the lower-risk option at 5.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.79% return vs 13.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ACWI.

ACWI has the higher dividend yield at 1.40%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.

ACWI is categorized as Global Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ACWI and 0.18% for QQQ.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 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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