ESMV vs. ACWV
ESMV (iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) and ACWV (iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESMV is a Low Volatility fund tracking the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Extended ESG Reduced Carbon Target Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while ACWV is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ESMV returned 10.25%/yr vs 10.41%/yr for ACWV. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. ESMV charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for ACWV.
Performance
ESMV vs. ACWV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESMV achieves a 7.33% return, which is significantly higher than ACWV's 5.75% return.
ESMV
- 1D
- 0.22%
- 1M
- -0.16%
- 6M
- 6.27%
- YTD
- 7.33%
- 1Y
- 9.71%
- 3Y*
- 10.25%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 5.96%
ACWV
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 1.99%
- 6M
- 4.00%
- YTD
- 5.75%
- 1Y
- 8.69%
- 3Y*
- 10.41%
- 5Y*
- 5.79%
- 10Y*
- 7.18%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.75%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $12.13M | $11.24M | $12.40M | |
| $7.55K | $9.03K | $12.67K |
ESMV vs. ACWV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 7.33% | 5.34% | 13.06% | 12.20% | -11.08% | 3.13% |
ACWV iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF | 5.75% | 11.04% | 11.38% | 8.23% | -10.36% | 2.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESMV and ACWV is 0.78, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.78 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.85 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 4, 2021 | 0.84 |
The correlation between ESMV and ACWV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ESMV vs. ACWV — Risk / Return Rank
ESMV
ACWV
ESMV vs. ACWV - 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 Global Min Vol Factor ETF (ACWV). 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.
| ESMV | ACWV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.21 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.32 | 1.45 | -0.12 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.05 | 4.10 | -0.05 |
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Drawdowns
ESMV vs. ACWV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESMV drawdown since its inception was -19.77%, smaller than the maximum ACWV drawdown of -28.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESMV and ACWV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESMV | ACWV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.77% | -28.82% | +9.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.01% | -6.37% | -0.64% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.16% | -7.56% | -4.60% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -18.14% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -28.82% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.51% | -0.36% | -0.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.18% | -3.10% | -2.08% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.28% | 2.24% | +0.04% |
Volatility
ESMV vs. ACWV - Volatility Comparison
iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (ESMV) and iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF (ACWV) have volatilities of 2.50% and 2.56%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ESMV | ACWV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.50% | 2.56% | -0.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.60% | 6.41% | +0.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.04% | 8.08% | +1.96% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.11% | 10.30% | +2.81% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.11% | 12.30% | +0.81% |
ESMV vs. ACWV - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESMV has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than ACWV's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
ESMV vs. ACWV - Dividend Comparison
ESMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, less than ACWV's 1.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACWV iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF | 1.90% | 2.09% | 2.33% | 2.41% | 2.18% | 1.92% | 1.77% | 2.54% | 2.32% | 2.04% | 2.56% | 2.28% |
ESMV iShares ESG MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 1.50% | 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 ACWV have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ACWV has higher volatility (2.56%) compared to ESMV (2.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESMV dropped -19.77% vs ACWV's -28.82%.
On 3-year performance, ACWV leads with 10.41% vs 10.25% for ESMV. On fees, ESMV is cheaper at 0.18% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, ACWV has performed better with a 10.41% return vs 10.25%. 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 0.20% for ACWV.
ACWV has the higher dividend yield at 1.90%, compared with 1.50% for ESMV.
ESMV is categorized as Low Volatility, while ACWV is Global Equities. ESMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Extended ESG Reduced Carbon Target Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while ACWV tracks MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility Index. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for ESMV and 0.20% for ACWV.
ACWV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 vs 0.93), 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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