BDVL vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BDVL (iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both Global Equities funds from iShares - BDVL tracks the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility Index while ACWI tracks the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BDVL charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

BDVL vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BDVL achieves a 4.71% return, which is significantly lower than ACWI's 12.13% return.

BDVL

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 0.91%
• YTD: 4.71%
• 6M: 5.43%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ACWI

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 5.28%
• YTD: 12.13%
• 6M: 12.96%
• 1Y: 29.18%
• 3Y*: 21.15%
• 5Y*: 11.28%
• 10Y*: 12.85%

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

BDVL vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BDVL iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF	4.71%	1.97%
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	12.13%	4.00%

Correlation

The correlation between BDVL and ACWI is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2025	0.84

BDVL vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BDVL	ACWI
Technology	23.0%	29.4%
Industrials	15.4%	10.9%
Financial Services	13.9%	16.1%
Healthcare	11.1%	8.1%
Communication Services	10.7%	9.0%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	6.3%	5.0%
Utilities	4.8%	2.6%
Energy	2.8%	4.2%
Basic Materials	2.6%	3.7%
Real Estate	1.0%	1.8%

Return for Risk

BDVL vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACWI

ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 66
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

BDVL vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BDVL	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.29	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.71	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.75	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.01	0.43	+0.59

Drawdowns

BDVL vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BDVL drawdown since its inception was -7.71%, smaller than the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BDVL and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BDVL	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.71%	-56.00%	+48.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.73%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.55%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.42%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.53%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.95%	-0.83%	-0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.19%	-8.61%	+7.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.16%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BDVL	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.93%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.29%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.49%	12.78%	-3.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.49%	16.05%	-6.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.49%	17.11%	-7.62%

BDVL vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

BDVL has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

BDVL vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

BDVL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, more than ACWI's 1.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	1.38%	1.55%	1.70%	1.88%	1.79%	1.71%	1.43%	2.33%	2.18%	1.94%	2.19%	2.56%
BDVL iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF	2.66%	2.79%	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 BDVL and ACWI in my portfolio?

BDVL and ACWI have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BDVL or ACWI?

On fees, ACWI is cheaper at 0.32% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BDVL or ACWI?

ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for BDVL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BDVL or ACWI?

BDVL has the higher dividend yield at 2.66%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.

What is the main difference between BDVL and ACWI?

BDVL tracks MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility Index, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for BDVL and 0.32% for ACWI.