CWI vs. SPGM
CWI (SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF) and SPGM (SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CWI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index, while SPGM is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI IMI Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CWI returned 10.82%/yr vs 13.44%/yr for SPGM. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CWI charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPGM.
Performance
CWI vs. SPGM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CWI achieves a 16.41% return, which is significantly higher than SPGM's 12.88% return. Over the past 10 years, CWI has underperformed SPGM with an annualized return of 10.82%, while SPGM has yielded a comparatively higher 13.44% annualized return.
CWI
- 1D
- 0.29%
- 1M
- 4.38%
- YTD
- 16.41%
- 6M
- 17.00%
- 1Y
- 35.32%
- 3Y*
- 20.65%
- 5Y*
- 9.71%
- 10Y*
- 10.82%
SPGM
- 1D
- -0.19%
- 1M
- 1.80%
- YTD
- 12.88%
- 6M
- 12.47%
- 1Y
- 31.93%
- 3Y*
- 21.14%
- 5Y*
- 11.67%
- 10Y*
- 13.44%
CWI vs. SPGM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CWI SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF | 16.41% | 32.75% | 6.27% | 15.74% | -15.39% | 8.81% | 9.83% | 21.92% | -13.83% | 26.89% |
SPGM SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF | 12.88% | 23.62% | 16.75% | 21.34% | -17.53% | 21.13% | 15.28% | 26.58% | -10.12% | 23.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between CWI and SPGM is 0.93, 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 | 0.93 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 5, 2012 | 0.78 |
The correlation between CWI and SPGM shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (all time) to 0.93 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
CWI vs. SPGM - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
CWI
SPGM
Financial Services
Technology
Industrials
Consumer Cyclical
Healthcare
Basic Materials
Energy
Communication Services
Consumer Defensive
Utilities
Real Estate
Financial Services
CWI
SPGM
Technology
CWI
SPGM
Industrials
CWI
SPGM
Consumer Cyclical
CWI
SPGM
Healthcare
CWI
SPGM
Basic Materials
CWI
SPGM
Energy
CWI
SPGM
Communication Services
CWI
SPGM
Consumer Defensive
CWI
SPGM
Utilities
CWI
SPGM
Real Estate
CWI
SPGM
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Return for Risk
CWI vs. SPGM — Risk / Return Rank
CWI
SPGM
CWI vs. SPGM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF (CWI) and SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF (SPGM). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| CWI | SPGM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.17 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.21 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.43 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.09 | 3.38 | -0.28 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.87 | 14.88 | -3.01 |
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Drawdowns
CWI vs. SPGM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CWI drawdown since its inception was -60.77%, which is greater than SPGM's maximum drawdown of -33.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CWI and SPGM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CWI | SPGM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.77% | -33.97% | -26.80% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.47% | -9.50% | -1.97% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.85% | -16.90% | +3.05% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.80% | -25.93% | -2.87% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.64% | -33.97% | -0.67% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.87% | +0.87% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.83% | -4.80% | -8.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.98% | 2.15% | +0.83% |
Volatility
CWI vs. SPGM - Volatility Comparison
SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF (CWI) has a higher volatility of 6.51% compared to SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF (SPGM) at 5.30%. This indicates that CWI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPGM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CWI | SPGM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.51% | 5.30% | +1.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.19% | 11.29% | +2.90% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.27% | 13.63% | +2.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.43% | 16.14% | +0.29% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.17% | 17.59% | -0.42% |
CWI vs. SPGM - Expense Ratio Comparison
CWI has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than SPGM's 0.09% expense ratio.
Dividends
CWI vs. SPGM - Dividend Comparison
CWI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.64%, more than SPGM's 1.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CWI SPDR MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF | 2.64% | 2.97% | 2.89% | 2.80% | 3.17% | 2.65% | 2.07% | 3.05% | 2.81% | 2.29% | 2.45% | 2.62% |
SPGM SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF | 1.79% | 1.89% | 1.98% | 2.09% | 2.37% | 1.94% | 1.45% | 2.46% | 1.89% | 2.29% | 1.87% | 3.70% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.93, CWI and SPGM 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.
CWI has higher volatility (6.51%) compared to SPGM (5.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CWI dropped -60.77% vs SPGM's -33.97%.
On 10-year performance, SPGM leads with 13.44% vs 10.82% for CWI. On fees, SPGM is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPGM has been the lower-risk option at 5.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SPGM has performed better with a 13.44% return vs 10.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPGM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for CWI.
CWI has the higher dividend yield at 2.64%, compared with 1.79% for SPGM.
CWI is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while SPGM is Global Equities. CWI tracks MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index, while SPGM tracks MSCI ACWI IMI Index. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for CWI and 0.09% for SPGM.
SPGM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 2.19), 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.
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