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FGD vs. ACWV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FGD vs. ACWV

Last updated Jul 14, 2026
Documentation

FGD (First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund) and ACWV (iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Global Equities funds - FGD tracks the Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index while ACWV tracks the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FGD returned 9.69%/yr vs 7.02%/yr for ACWV. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FGD charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for ACWV.

Performance

FGD vs. ACWV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) and iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF (ACWV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FGD achieves a 11.27% return, which is significantly higher than ACWV's 3.83% return. Over the past 10 years, FGD has outperformed ACWV with an annualized return of 9.69%, while ACWV has yielded a comparatively lower 7.02% annualized return.

FGD

1D
0.39%
1M
-1.46%
6M
9.73%
YTD
11.27%
1Y
24.35%
3Y*
20.79%
5Y*
11.45%
10Y*
9.69%

ACWV

1D
-0.15%
1M
0.92%
6M
2.66%
YTD
3.83%
1Y
6.41%
3Y*
9.88%
5Y*
5.49%
10Y*
7.02%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FGD vs. ACWV - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FGD
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund		11.27%44.42%5.71%8.20%-7.25%20.83%-5.23%20.64%-12.49%17.87%
ACWV
iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF		3.83%11.04%11.38%8.23%-10.36%13.97%3.04%21.04%-1.42%18.57%

Correlation

The correlation between FGD and ACWV is 0.65, 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

0.65

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.69

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.71

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.70

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2011

0.73

The correlation between FGD and ACWV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

FGD vs. ACWV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FGD
ACWV

Financial Services

33.8%
13.2%

Industrials

14.3%
8.1%

Consumer Cyclical

9.6%
5.1%

Energy

9.2%
3.7%

Communication Services

9.2%
11.9%

Consumer Defensive

8.9%
9.8%

Basic Materials

6.5%
1.5%

Utilities

4.8%
7.3%

Real Estate

2.3%
0.6%

Technology

1.5%
25.8%

Healthcare

-

13.0%

Financial Services

FGD
33.8%
ACWV
13.2%

Industrials

FGD
14.3%
ACWV
8.1%

Consumer Cyclical

FGD
9.6%
ACWV
5.1%

Energy

FGD
9.2%
ACWV
3.7%

Communication Services

FGD
9.2%
ACWV
11.9%

Consumer Defensive

FGD
8.9%
ACWV
9.8%

Basic Materials

FGD
6.5%
ACWV
1.5%

Utilities

FGD
4.8%
ACWV
7.3%

Real Estate

FGD
2.3%
ACWV
0.6%

Technology

FGD
1.5%
ACWV
25.8%

Healthcare

FGD

-

ACWV
13.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund

iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF

Often compared with FGD:
FGD vs. VYMIFGD vs. SCHDFGD vs. IDVFGD vs. DIVFGD vs. SPYDFGD vs. SJNKFGD vs. HYG
Often compared with ACWV:
ACWV vs. USMVACWV vs. VTACWV vs. MVOL.LACWV vs. EFAVACWV vs. SPLVACWV vs. VOOACWV vs. XMW.TO

Return for Risk

FGD vs. ACWV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FGD
FGD Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
FGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
FGD Omega Ratio Rank: 7575
Omega Ratio Rank
FGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 6363
Calmar Ratio Rank
FGD Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
ACWV
ACWV Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
ACWV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2727
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ACWV Sortino Ratio Rank: 2525
Sortino Ratio Rank
ACWV Omega Ratio Rank: 2525
Omega Ratio Rank
ACWV Calmar Ratio Rank: 2626
Calmar Ratio Rank
ACWV Martin Ratio Rank: 2727
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FGD vs. ACWV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) 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.

FGDACWVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.92
0.80

+1.12

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.68
1.18

+1.50

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.15

+0.20

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.49

1.01

+1.48

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.25

2.89

+5.36

FGD vs. ACWV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FGD Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is higher than the ACWV Sharpe Ratio of 0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FGD and ACWV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

FGD vs. ACWV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FGD drawdown since its inception was -68.05%, which is greater than ACWV's maximum drawdown of -28.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGD and ACWV.

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Drawdown Indicators

FGDACWVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-68.05%

-28.82%

-39.23%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.82%

-6.37%

-3.45%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-11.50%

-7.56%

-3.94%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.68%

-18.14%

-10.54%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.84%

-28.82%

-16.02%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.89%

-1.52%

-0.37%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-12.52%

-3.11%

-9.41%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.96%

2.22%

+0.74%

Volatility

FGD vs. ACWV - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD) has a higher volatility of 3.63% compared to iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF (ACWV) at 3.17%. This indicates that FGD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ACWV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FGDACWVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.63%

3.17%

+0.46%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.20%

6.23%

+3.97%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.76%

8.07%

+4.69%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.91%

10.27%

+4.64%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.92%

12.29%

+5.63%

FGD vs. ACWV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGD has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWV's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGD vs. ACWV - Dividend Comparison

FGD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.25%, more than ACWV's 1.93% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ACWV
iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF		1.93%2.09%2.33%2.41%2.18%1.92%1.77%2.54%2.32%2.04%2.56%2.28%
FGD
First Trust Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index Fund		5.25%5.62%5.87%6.44%5.74%5.35%6.17%5.19%5.88%4.01%4.36%5.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

FGD and ACWV have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FGD has higher volatility (3.63%) compared to ACWV (3.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGD dropped -68.05% vs ACWV's -28.82%.

On 10-year performance, FGD leads with 9.69% vs 7.02% for ACWV. On fees, ACWV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, ACWV has been the lower-risk option at 3.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, FGD has performed better with a 9.69% return vs 7.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

ACWV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for FGD.

FGD has the higher dividend yield at 5.25%, compared with 1.93% for ACWV.

FGD tracks Dow Jones Global Select Dividend Index, while ACWV tracks MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for FGD and 0.20% for ACWV.

FGD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 0.80), 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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