ESMV vs. ACWI
ESMV (iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESMV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Extended ESG Reduced Carbon Target Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ESMV returned 11.27%/yr vs 21.15%/yr for ACWI. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESMV charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.
Performance
ESMV vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESMV achieves a 5.28% return, which is significantly lower than ACWI's 12.13% return.
ESMV
- 1D
- -0.78%
- 1M
- 3.36%
- YTD
- 5.28%
- 6M
- 5.39%
- 1Y
- 6.76%
- 3Y*
- 11.27%
- 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%
ESMV vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 5.28% | 5.34% | 13.06% | 12.20% | -11.08% | 3.20% |
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | 12.13% | 22.41% | 17.45% | 22.27% | -18.39% | 0.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESMV and ACWI is 0.61, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2021 | 0.73 |
The correlation between ESMV and ACWI shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (1 year) to 0.73 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
ESMV vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank
ESMV
ACWI
ESMV vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV) 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.
| ESMV | ACWI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.62 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.17 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 1.41 | -0.29 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.97 | 3.01 | -2.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.97 | 13.53 | -10.55 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ESMV | ACWI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.67 | 2.29 | -1.62 |
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 | 0.44 | 0.43 | +0.01 |
Drawdowns
ESMV vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESMV drawdown since its inception was -19.77%, smaller than the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESMV and ACWI.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| ESMV | ACWI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.77% | -56.00% | +36.23% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.01% | -9.73% | +2.72% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.16% | -16.55% | +4.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -26.42% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -33.53% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.78% | -0.83% | +0.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.33% | -8.61% | +3.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.28% | 2.16% | +0.12% |
Volatility
ESMV vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV) is 2.25%, while iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) has a volatility of 3.93%. This indicates that ESMV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ACWI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| ESMV | ACWI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.25% | 3.93% | -1.68% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.26% | 10.29% | -4.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.06% | 12.78% | -2.72% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.24% | 16.05% | -2.81% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.24% | 17.11% | -3.87% |
ESMV vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESMV has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.
Dividends
ESMV vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison
ESMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.58%, 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% |
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 1.58% | 1.56% | 1.71% | 1.75% | 1.66% | 0.24% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESMV and ACWI have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ACWI has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to ESMV (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESMV dropped -19.77% vs ACWI's -56.00%.
On 3-year performance, ACWI leads with 21.15% vs 11.27% for ESMV. On fees, ESMV is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, ESMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 21.15% return vs 11.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ESMV is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ACWI.
ESMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.58%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.
ESMV is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while ACWI is Global Equities. ESMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Extended ESG Reduced Carbon Target Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for ESMV and 0.32% for ACWI.
ACWI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 0.67), 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.
Find the right allocation for ESMV and ACWI
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer