ACWX vs. EFAS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ACWX (iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF) and EFAS (Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - ACWX tracks the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index while EFAS tracks the MSCI EAFE Top 50 Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ACWX returned 8.79%/yr vs 12.25%/yr for EFAS. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ACWX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for EFAS.

Performance

ACWX vs. EFAS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF (EFAS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACWX achieves a 15.52% return, which is significantly higher than EFAS's 13.61% return.

ACWX

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 5.30%
• YTD: 15.52%
• 6M: 18.73%
• 1Y: 32.87%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 8.79%
• 10Y*: 9.68%

EFAS

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -1.27%
• YTD: 13.61%
• 6M: 18.42%
• 1Y: 28.44%
• 3Y*: 24.71%
• 5Y*: 12.25%
• 10Y*: —

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

ACWX vs. EFAS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	15.52%	32.59%	5.17%	15.63%	-16.07%	7.67%	10.29%	21.05%	-13.99%	27.20%
EFAS Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF	13.61%	46.83%	3.07%	14.65%	-8.00%	12.75%	-5.42%	14.60%	-11.60%	22.76%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWX and EFAS is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2016	0.73

The correlation between ACWX and EFAS shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.76 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ACWX vs. EFAS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACWX	EFAS
Financial Services	23.3%	30.1%
Technology	22.4%	0.1%
Industrials	14.0%	9.9%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	1.9%
Healthcare	6.7%	0.1%
Basic Materials	6.7%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	8.1%
Energy	4.8%	13.7%
Communication Services	4.7%	8.6%
Utilities	2.8%	14.4%
Real Estate	1.2%	11.3%

Return for Risk

ACWX vs. EFAS — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACWX

ACWX Risk / Return Rank: 62
ACWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
ACWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
ACWX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
ACWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ACWX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

EFAS

EFAS Risk / Return Rank: 82
EFAS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
EFAS Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
EFAS Omega Ratio Rank: 78
EFAS Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
EFAS Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

ACWX vs. EFAS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF (EFAS). 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.

	ACWX	EFAS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.70	-0.56
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	3.79	-0.87
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.47	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	5.72	-2.72
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.72	15.34	-3.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ACWX vs. EFAS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACWX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the EFAS Sharpe Ratio of 2.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACWX and EFAS, 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

	ACWX	EFAS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	2.70	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.79	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.56	-0.33

Drawdowns

ACWX vs. EFAS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWX drawdown since its inception was -60.40%, which is greater than EFAS's maximum drawdown of -44.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWX and EFAS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACWX	EFAS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.40%	-44.38%	-16.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.42%	-5.30%	-6.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.84%	-11.84%	-2.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.07%	-28.81%	-1.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.45%	+2.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.34%	-7.08%	-6.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	1.98%	+0.95%

Volatility

ACWX vs. EFAS - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) has a higher volatility of 5.73% compared to Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF (EFAS) at 3.08%. This indicates that ACWX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EFAS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACWX	EFAS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.73%	3.08%	+2.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.22%	8.17%	+5.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.50%	10.67%	+4.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.28%	15.59%	+0.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.38%	18.33%	-0.95%

ACWX vs. EFAS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than EFAS's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWX vs. EFAS - Dividend Comparison

ACWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%, less than EFAS's 4.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	2.44%	2.82%	2.97%	2.96%	2.68%	2.74%	1.88%	3.22%	2.60%	2.40%	2.77%	2.51%
EFAS Global X MSCI SuperDividend® EAFE ETF	4.59%	4.83%	6.76%	6.33%	7.28%	5.19%	4.34%	5.75%	6.63%	6.15%	0.21%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACWX and EFAS in my portfolio?

ACWX and EFAS have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACWX or EFAS?

ACWX has higher volatility (5.73%) compared to EFAS (3.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACWX dropped -60.40% vs EFAS's -44.38%.

Which ETF is better, ACWX or EFAS?

On 5-year performance, EFAS leads with 12.25% vs 8.79% for ACWX. On fees, ACWX is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, EFAS has been the lower-risk option at 3.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACWX or EFAS?

Over the 5-year period, EFAS has performed better with a 12.25% return vs 8.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACWX or EFAS?

ACWX is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for EFAS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ACWX or EFAS?

EFAS has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 2.44% for ACWX.

What is the main difference between ACWX and EFAS?

ACWX tracks MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index, while EFAS tracks MSCI EAFE Top 50 Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ACWX and 0.56% for EFAS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EFAS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 2.14), 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.