ESML vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESML (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESML is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESML returned 7.18%/yr vs 11.28%/yr for ACWI. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESML charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

ESML vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) 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, ESML achieves a 16.26% return, which is significantly higher than ACWI's 12.13% return.

ESML

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 3.86%
• YTD: 16.26%
• 6M: 15.99%
• 1Y: 34.21%
• 3Y*: 17.27%
• 5Y*: 7.18%
• 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)

ESML vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ESML iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF	16.26%	10.62%	12.01%	17.27%	-17.28%	19.28%	19.56%	29.12%	-10.89%
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	12.13%	22.41%	17.45%	22.27%	-18.39%	18.66%	16.34%	26.59%	-9.55%

Correlation

The correlation between ESML and ACWI is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 13, 2018	0.84

The correlation between ESML and ACWI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESML vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESML	ACWI
Industrials	19.3%	10.9%
Technology	17.5%	29.4%
Financial Services	14.4%	16.1%
Healthcare	12.6%	8.1%
Consumer Cyclical	11.3%	9.3%
Real Estate	6.5%	1.8%
Energy	5.9%	4.2%
Basic Materials	3.9%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	5.0%
Utilities	2.7%	2.6%
Communication Services	2.2%	9.0%

Return for Risk

ESML vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESML

ESML Risk / Return Rank: 66
ESML Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
ESML Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
ESML Omega Ratio Rank: 57
ESML Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
ESML Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

ESML vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) 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.

	ESML	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	2.29	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	3.17	-0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.41	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.80	3.01	+0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.00	13.53	+0.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESML vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESML Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is comparable to the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESML and ACWI, 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

	ESML	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.07	2.29	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.71	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.75	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.43	+0.03

Drawdowns

ESML vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESML drawdown since its inception was -41.97%, smaller than the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESML and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESML	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.97%	-56.00%	+14.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-9.73%	+0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.68%	-16.55%	-10.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.61%	-26.42%	-2.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.53%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	-0.83%	+0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.97%	-8.61%	-0.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.45%	2.16%	+0.29%

Volatility

ESML vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) has a higher volatility of 4.25% compared to iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) at 3.93%. This indicates that ESML's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ACWI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESML	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.25%	3.93%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.67%	10.29%	+1.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.66%	12.78%	+3.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.23%	16.05%	+5.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.40%	17.11%	+6.29%

ESML vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESML has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESML vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

ESML's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less 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%
ESML iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF	0.95%	1.08%	1.22%	1.31%	1.46%	0.94%	0.99%	1.10%	1.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESML and ACWI in my portfolio?

ESML and ACWI have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESML or ACWI?

ESML has higher volatility (4.25%) compared to ACWI (3.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESML dropped -41.97% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

Which ETF is better, ESML or ACWI?

On 5-year performance, ACWI leads with 11.28% vs 7.18% for ESML. On fees, ESML is cheaper at 0.17% per year. On volatility, ACWI has been the lower-risk option at 3.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESML or ACWI?

Over the 5-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 11.28% return vs 7.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESML or ACWI?

ESML is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ACWI.

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

ACWI has the higher dividend yield at 1.38%, compared with 0.95% for ESML.

What is the main difference between ESML and ACWI?

ESML is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while ACWI is Global Equities. ESML tracks MSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.17% for ESML and 0.32% for ACWI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.07), 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.