ACWX vs. TLT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ACWX (iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond 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 TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ACWX returned 9.68%/yr vs -1.62%/yr for TLT. At a correlation of -0.22, they often move in opposite directions. ACWX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.

Performance

ACWX vs. TLT - 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 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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 TLT's 0.13% return. Over the past 10 years, ACWX has outperformed TLT with an annualized return of 9.68%, while TLT has yielded a comparatively lower -1.62% 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%

TLT

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 0.13%
• 6M: -1.35%
• 1Y: 5.16%
• 3Y*: -1.67%
• 5Y*: -5.98%
• 10Y*: -1.62%

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

ACWX vs. TLT - 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%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	0.13%	4.25%	-8.05%	2.77%	-31.23%	-4.60%	18.15%	14.12%	-1.61%	9.18%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWX and TLT is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2008	-0.22

The correlation between ACWX and TLT shifts across timeframes, from -0.22 (all time) to 0.32 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ACWX vs. TLT — 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

TLT

TLT Risk / Return Rank: 16
TLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
TLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
TLT Omega Ratio Rank: 16
TLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Martin Ratio Rank: 15

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. TLT - 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 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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	TLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	0.53	+1.60
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	0.83	+2.09
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.09	+0.29
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	0.55	+2.45
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.72	1.38	+10.33
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. TLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACWX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the TLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACWX and TLT, 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	TLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	0.53	+1.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	-0.38	+0.92
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	-0.11	+0.67
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.26	-0.02

Drawdowns

ACWX vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWX drawdown since its inception was -60.40%, which is greater than TLT's maximum drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWX and TLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACWX	TLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.40%	-48.35%	-12.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.42%	-7.58%	-3.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.84%	-19.18%	+5.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.07%	-43.70%	+13.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	-48.35%	+12.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-40.20%	+40.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.34%	-13.81%	+0.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	3.02%	-0.09%

Volatility

ACWX vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) has a higher volatility of 5.73% compared to iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) at 2.84%. This indicates that ACWX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACWX	TLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.73%	2.84%	+2.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.22%	6.60%	+6.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.50%	9.81%	+5.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.28%	15.87%	+0.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.38%	14.91%	+2.47%

ACWX vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWX vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison

ACWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%, less than TLT's 4.57% 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%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	4.57%	4.43%	4.30%	3.38%	2.67%	1.50%	1.50%	2.27%	2.63%	2.43%	2.60%	2.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACWX and TLT in my portfolio?

ACWX and TLT have a correlation of 0.32, 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 TLT?

ACWX has higher volatility (5.73%) compared to TLT (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACWX dropped -60.40% vs TLT's -48.35%.

Which ETF is better, ACWX or TLT?

On 10-year performance, ACWX leads with 9.68% vs -1.62% for TLT. On fees, TLT is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, TLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACWX or TLT?

Over the 10-year period, ACWX has performed better with a 9.68% return vs -1.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ACWX or TLT?

TLT is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ACWX.

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

TLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.57%, compared with 2.44% for ACWX.

What is the main difference between ACWX and TLT?

ACWX is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while TLT is Government Bonds. ACWX tracks MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index, while TLT tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ACWX and 0.15% for TLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 0.53), 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.