EWI vs. ACWI
EWI (iShares MSCI Italy ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWI is a Europe Equities fund tracking the MSCI Italy Index, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWI returned 14.84%/yr vs 13.09%/yr for ACWI. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWI charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.
Performance
EWI vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EWI achieves a 11.51% return, which is significantly higher than ACWI's 9.86% return. Over the past 10 years, EWI has outperformed ACWI with an annualized return of 14.84%, while ACWI has yielded a comparatively lower 13.09% annualized return.
EWI
- 1D
- -1.72%
- 1M
- 3.40%
- YTD
- 11.51%
- 6M
- 11.36%
- 1Y
- 32.13%
- 3Y*
- 29.08%
- 5Y*
- 16.72%
- 10Y*
- 14.84%
ACWI
- 1D
- -2.00%
- 1M
- -0.35%
- YTD
- 9.86%
- 6M
- 9.11%
- 1Y
- 25.60%
- 3Y*
- 20.00%
- 5Y*
- 10.74%
- 10Y*
- 13.09%
EWI vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWI iShares MSCI Italy ETF | 11.51% | 55.72% | 10.23% | 30.63% | -14.16% | 14.38% | 1.69% | 26.98% | -17.18% | 28.70% |
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | 9.86% | 22.41% | 17.45% | 22.27% | -18.39% | 18.66% | 16.34% | 26.59% | -9.19% | 24.33% |
Correlation
The correlation between EWI and ACWI is 0.76, 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 | 0.76 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.76 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2008 | 0.79 |
The correlation between EWI and ACWI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.
EWI vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
EWI
ACWI
Financial Services
Utilities
Industrials
Consumer Cyclical
Energy
Communication Services
Healthcare
Basic Materials
Consumer Defensive
Real Estate
-
Technology
-
Financial Services
EWI
ACWI
Utilities
EWI
ACWI
Industrials
EWI
ACWI
Consumer Cyclical
EWI
ACWI
Energy
EWI
ACWI
Communication Services
EWI
ACWI
Healthcare
EWI
ACWI
Basic Materials
EWI
ACWI
Consumer Defensive
EWI
ACWI
Real Estate
EWI
-
ACWI
Technology
EWI
-
ACWI
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Return for Risk
EWI vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank
EWI
ACWI
EWI vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Italy ETF (EWI) 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.
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.
| EWI | ACWI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.18 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.34 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.59 | 2.64 | -0.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.64 | 11.51 | -1.86 |
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Drawdowns
EWI vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EWI drawdown since its inception was -70.38%, which is greater than ACWI's maximum drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWI and ACWI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EWI | ACWI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.38% | -56.00% | -14.38% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.48% | -9.73% | -2.75% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.80% | -16.55% | -0.25% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.25% | -26.42% | -8.83% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.00% | -33.53% | -9.47% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.17% | -2.83% | +0.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -28.89% | -8.59% | -20.30% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.34% | 2.23% | +1.11% |
Volatility
EWI vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI Italy ETF (EWI) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) have volatilities of 5.76% and 5.57%, 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
| EWI | ACWI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.76% | 5.57% | +0.19% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.40% | 11.38% | +4.02% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.44% | 13.64% | +4.80% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.16% | 16.20% | +4.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.66% | 17.08% | +5.58% |
EWI vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison
EWI has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.
Dividends
EWI vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison
EWI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.16%, more than ACWI's 1.45% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | 1.45% | 1.55% | 1.70% | 1.88% | 1.79% | 1.71% | 1.43% | 2.33% | 2.18% | 1.94% | 2.19% | 2.56% |
EWI iShares MSCI Italy ETF | 3.16% | 2.80% | 4.07% | 3.40% | 4.57% | 2.63% | 1.66% | 3.80% | 4.71% | 2.19% | 3.64% | 2.31% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EWI and ACWI have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EWI has higher volatility (5.76%) compared to ACWI (5.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWI dropped -70.38% vs ACWI's -56.00%.
On 10-year performance, EWI leads with 14.84% vs 13.09% for ACWI. On fees, ACWI is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, ACWI has been the lower-risk option at 5.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, EWI has performed better with a 14.84% return vs 13.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for EWI.
EWI has the higher dividend yield at 3.16%, compared with 1.45% for ACWI.
EWI is categorized as Europe Equities, while ACWI is Global Equities. EWI tracks MSCI Italy Index, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for EWI and 0.32% for ACWI.
ACWI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.75), 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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