ACWX vs. IDV

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ACWX (iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF) and IDV (iShares International Select Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ACWX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index, while IDV is a Global Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ACWX returned 9.49%/yr vs 10.33%/yr for IDV. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACWX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for IDV.

Performance

ACWX vs. IDV - 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 International Select Dividend ETF (IDV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ACWX having a 11.20% return and IDV slightly lower at 10.84%. Over the past 10 years, ACWX has underperformed IDV with an annualized return of 9.49%, while IDV has yielded a comparatively higher 10.33% annualized return.

ACWX

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: -1.50%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 6M: 13.60%
• 1Y: 27.04%
• 3Y*: 18.01%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 9.49%

IDV

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: -2.36%
• YTD: 10.84%
• 6M: 14.01%
• 1Y: 33.84%
• 3Y*: 24.24%
• 5Y*: 11.70%
• 10Y*: 10.33%

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

ACWX vs. IDV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	11.20%	32.59%	5.17%	15.63%	-16.07%	7.67%	10.29%	21.05%	-13.99%	27.20%
IDV iShares International Select Dividend ETF	10.84%	52.16%	4.00%	10.32%	-6.40%	12.00%	-5.94%	23.56%	-10.37%	19.74%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWX and IDV is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2008	0.90

The correlation between ACWX and IDV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

ACWX vs. IDV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACWX	IDV
Financial Services	23.3%	30.1%
Technology	22.4%	0.9%
Industrials	14.0%	6.7%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	9.6%
Healthcare	6.7%	-
Basic Materials	6.7%	5.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	7.2%
Energy	4.8%	15.6%
Communication Services	4.7%	10.0%
Utilities	2.8%	11.8%
Real Estate	1.2%	2.4%

Return for Risk

ACWX vs. IDV — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACWX

ACWX Risk / Return Rank: 55
ACWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
ACWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
ACWX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
ACWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
ACWX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

IDV

IDV Risk / Return Rank: 84
IDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
IDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
IDV Omega Ratio Rank: 86
IDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
IDV Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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. IDV - 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 International Select Dividend ETF (IDV). 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	IDV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	2.63	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.32	3.42	-1.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.47	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	3.99	-1.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.17	15.00	-5.83
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. IDV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACWX Sharpe Ratio is 1.70, which is lower than the IDV Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACWX and IDV, 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	IDV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.70	2.63	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.76	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.58	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.21	+0.01

Drawdowns

ACWX vs. IDV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWX drawdown since its inception was -60.40%, smaller than the maximum IDV drawdown of -70.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWX and IDV.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACWX	IDV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.40%	-70.14%	+9.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.42%	-8.52%	-2.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.84%	-11.86%	-1.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.07%	-29.19%	-0.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	-42.50%	+7.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.74%	-4.08%	+0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.33%	-15.39%	+2.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.95%	2.26%	+0.69%

Volatility

ACWX vs. IDV - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) has a higher volatility of 6.26% compared to iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV) at 3.91%. This indicates that ACWX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IDV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACWX	IDV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.26%	3.91%	+2.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.90%	10.71%	+3.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.05%	12.96%	+3.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.38%	15.56%	+0.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.42%	17.94%	-0.52%

ACWX vs. IDV - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than IDV's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWX vs. IDV - Dividend Comparison

ACWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%, less than IDV's 4.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF	2.54%	2.82%	2.97%	2.96%	2.68%	2.74%	1.88%	3.22%	2.60%	2.40%	2.77%	2.51%
IDV iShares International Select Dividend ETF	4.51%	4.94%	6.46%	6.51%	7.33%	5.78%	5.47%	5.15%	5.93%	4.52%	4.69%	5.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACWX and IDV in my portfolio?

ACWX and IDV have a correlation of 0.80, 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 IDV?

ACWX has higher volatility (6.26%) compared to IDV (3.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACWX dropped -60.40% vs IDV's -70.14%.

Which ETF is better, ACWX or IDV?

On 10-year performance, IDV leads with 10.33% vs 9.49% for ACWX. On fees, ACWX is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, IDV has been the lower-risk option at 3.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACWX or IDV?

Over the 10-year period, IDV has performed better with a 10.33% return vs 9.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACWX or IDV?

ACWX is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for IDV.

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

IDV has the higher dividend yield at 4.51%, compared with 2.54% for ACWX.

What is the main difference between ACWX and IDV?

ACWX is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while IDV is Global Equities. ACWX tracks MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index, while IDV tracks Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ACWX and 0.49% for IDV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 1.70), 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.