ACWX vs. IXUS
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS).
ACWX and IXUS are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ACWX is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index. It was launched on Mar 26, 2008. IXUS is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Investable Market Index. It was launched on Oct 18, 2012. Both ACWX and IXUS are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: ACWX or IXUS.
Key characteristics
| ACWX | IXUS | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 12.12% | 11.94% |
| 1Y Return | 26.34% | 26.41% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 2.33% | 2.16% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 6.65% | 6.94% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 5.26% | 5.60% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.97 | 1.99 |
| Sortino Ratio | 2.77 | 2.80 |
| Omega Ratio | 1.35 | 1.35 |
| Calmar Ratio | 1.35 | 1.35 |
| Martin Ratio | 12.88 | 13.26 |
| Ulcer Index | 1.97% | 1.93% |
| Daily Std Dev | 12.89% | 12.84% |
| Max Drawdown | -60.39% | -36.23% |
| Current Drawdown | -2.44% | -2.37% |
Correlation
The correlation between ACWX and IXUS is 0.99, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
ACWX vs. IXUS - Performance Comparison
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ACWX having a 12.12% return and IXUS slightly lower at 11.94%. Over the past 10 years, ACWX has underperformed IXUS with an annualized return of 5.26%, while IXUS has yielded a comparatively higher 5.60% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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ACWX vs. IXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison
ACWX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than IXUS's 0.09% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
ACWX vs. IXUS - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS). 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.
Dividends
ACWX vs. IXUS - Dividend Comparison
ACWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, less than IXUS's 2.89% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACWX iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF | 2.66% | 2.96% | 2.68% | 2.73% | 1.88% | 3.21% | 2.64% | 2.39% | 2.77% | 2.51% | 3.17% | 2.68% |
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF | 2.89% | 3.13% | 2.48% | 3.11% | 1.85% | 3.09% | 3.00% | 2.40% | 2.57% | 2.80% | 2.95% | 2.07% |
Drawdowns
ACWX vs. IXUS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ACWX drawdown since its inception was -60.39%, which is greater than IXUS's maximum drawdown of -36.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWX and IXUS. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
ACWX vs. IXUS - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) has a higher volatility of 4.18% compared to iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) at 3.98%. This indicates that ACWX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.