ACWX vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ACWX (iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - ACWX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ACWX returned 9.68%/yr vs 13.42%/yr for IAU. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ACWX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

ACWX vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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 IAU's 4.00% return. Over the past 10 years, ACWX has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 9.68%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.42% annualized 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%

IAU

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: -2.65%
• YTD: 4.00%
• 6M: 6.47%
• 1Y: 32.38%
• 3Y*: 31.72%
• 5Y*: 18.82%
• 10Y*: 13.42%

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

ACWX vs. IAU - 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%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	4.00%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWX and IAU is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2008	0.21

The correlation between ACWX and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (all time) to 0.39 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ACWX vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACWX	IAU
Financial Services	23.3%	-
Technology	22.4%	-
Industrials	14.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	-
Healthcare	6.7%	-
Basic Materials	6.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	-
Energy	4.8%	-
Communication Services	4.7%	-
Utilities	2.8%	-
Real Estate	1.2%	100.0%

Return for Risk

ACWX vs. IAU — 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

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	1.23	+0.90
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	1.63	+1.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.25	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	1.87	+1.14
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.72	4.69	+7.03
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. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACWX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACWX and IAU, 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	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	1.23	+0.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	1.05	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.85	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.63	-0.39

Drawdowns

ACWX vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWX drawdown since its inception was -60.40%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWX and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACWX	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.40%	-45.14%	-15.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.42%	-19.18%	+7.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.84%	-19.18%	+5.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.07%	-20.93%	-9.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	-21.82%	-13.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-16.88%	+16.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.34%	-15.96%	+2.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	7.63%	-4.70%

Volatility

ACWX vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) have volatilities of 5.73% and 5.78%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACWX	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.73%	5.78%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.22%	23.00%	-9.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.50%	26.51%	-11.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.28%	17.96%	-1.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.38%	15.90%	+1.48%

ACWX vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWX vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

ACWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

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%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACWX and IAU in my portfolio?

ACWX and IAU have a correlation of 0.39, 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 IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.78%) compared to ACWX (5.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACWX dropped -60.40% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, ACWX or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.42% vs 9.68% for ACWX. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACWX or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.42% return vs 9.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACWX or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ACWX.

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

ACWX has the higher dividend yield at 2.44%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between ACWX and IAU?

ACWX is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IAU is Gold. ACWX tracks MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ACWX and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.23), 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.