ACWX vs. VYMI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ACWX (iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield 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 VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ACWX returned 9.68%/yr vs 10.60%/yr for VYMI. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ACWX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VYMI.

Performance

ACWX vs. VYMI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). 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 VYMI's 12.44% return. Over the past 10 years, ACWX has underperformed VYMI with an annualized return of 9.68%, while VYMI has yielded a comparatively higher 10.60% 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%

VYMI

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 1.78%
• YTD: 12.44%
• 6M: 16.33%
• 1Y: 30.94%
• 3Y*: 22.29%
• 5Y*: 12.36%
• 10Y*: 10.60%

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

ACWX vs. VYMI - 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%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	12.44%	38.05%	7.06%	17.07%	-7.02%	15.39%	-1.11%	18.43%	-12.65%	22.36%

Correlation

The correlation between ACWX and VYMI is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2016	0.95

The correlation between ACWX and VYMI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

ACWX vs. VYMI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ACWX	VYMI
Financial Services	23.3%	41.9%
Technology	22.4%	4.3%
Industrials	14.0%	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	6.5%
Healthcare	6.7%	6.6%
Basic Materials	6.7%	6.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	7.0%
Energy	4.8%	9.5%
Communication Services	4.7%	4.0%
Utilities	2.8%	5.6%
Real Estate	1.2%	1.3%

Return for Risk

ACWX vs. VYMI — 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

VYMI

VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 69
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VYMI Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. VYMI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). 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	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.41	-0.28
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	3.28	-0.36
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.44	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.17	-0.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.72	12.51	-0.80
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. VYMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACWX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the VYMI Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACWX and VYMI, 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	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	2.41	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.84	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.63	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.66	-0.42

Drawdowns

ACWX vs. VYMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACWX drawdown since its inception was -60.40%, which is greater than VYMI's maximum drawdown of -40.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACWX and VYMI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACWX	VYMI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.40%	-40.00%	-20.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.42%	-10.14%	-1.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.84%	-12.84%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.07%	-24.05%	-6.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	-40.00%	+4.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.40%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.34%	-6.31%	-7.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	2.57%	+0.36%

Volatility

ACWX vs. VYMI - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) has a higher volatility of 5.73% compared to Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) at 4.12%. This indicates that ACWX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACWX	VYMI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.73%	4.12%	+1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.22%	10.67%	+2.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.50%	12.92%	+2.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.28%	14.83%	+1.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.38%	16.87%	+0.51%

ACWX vs. VYMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ACWX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than VYMI's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

ACWX vs. VYMI - Dividend Comparison

ACWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%, less than VYMI's 3.41% 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%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	3.41%	3.68%	4.84%	4.58%	4.70%	4.30%	3.22%	4.20%	4.29%	3.21%	2.39%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACWX and VYMI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, ACWX and VYMI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ACWX or VYMI?

ACWX has higher volatility (5.73%) compared to VYMI (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACWX dropped -60.40% vs VYMI's -40.00%.

Which ETF is better, ACWX or VYMI?

On 10-year performance, VYMI leads with 10.60% vs 9.68% for ACWX. On fees, VYMI is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VYMI has been the lower-risk option at 4.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ACWX or VYMI?

Over the 10-year period, VYMI has performed better with a 10.60% 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 VYMI?

VYMI is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ACWX.

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

VYMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.41%, compared with 2.44% for ACWX.

What is the main difference between ACWX and VYMI?

ACWX is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while VYMI is Dividend. ACWX tracks MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index, while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for ACWX and 0.07% for VYMI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 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.