HYGH vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HYGH (iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HYGH is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by iShares, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. HYGH is actively managed, while ACWI is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HYGH returned 6.36%/yr vs 12.85%/yr for ACWI. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HYGH charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

HYGH vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF (HYGH) 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, HYGH achieves a 2.83% return, which is significantly lower than ACWI's 12.13% return. Over the past 10 years, HYGH has underperformed ACWI with an annualized return of 6.36%, while ACWI has yielded a comparatively higher 12.85% annualized return.

HYGH

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.75%
• YTD: 2.83%
• 6M: 3.59%
• 1Y: 7.60%
• 3Y*: 9.71%
• 5Y*: 6.94%
• 10Y*: 6.36%

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)

HYGH vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HYGH iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF	2.83%	6.94%	11.22%	12.17%	-0.92%	5.82%	0.54%	11.09%	-0.85%	6.38%
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	12.13%	22.41%	17.45%	22.27%	-18.39%	18.66%	16.34%	26.59%	-9.19%	24.33%

Correlation

The correlation between HYGH and ACWI is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 30, 2014	0.67

The correlation between HYGH and ACWI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

HYGH vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HYGH	ACWI
Utilities	99.6%	2.6%
Real Estate	0.4%	1.8%
Basic Materials	-	3.7%
Communication Services	-	9.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.0%
Energy	-	4.2%
Financial Services	-	16.1%
Healthcare	-	8.1%
Industrials	-	10.9%
Technology	-	29.4%

Return for Risk

HYGH vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

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

HYGH

HYGH Risk / Return Rank: 73
HYGH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
HYGH Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
HYGH Omega Ratio Rank: 63
HYGH Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
HYGH Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

HYGH vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF (HYGH) 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.

	HYGH	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	2.29	-0.20
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	3.17	+0.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.41	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.71	3.01	+1.69
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.40	13.53	+4.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HYGH vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HYGH Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HYGH 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

	HYGH	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	2.29	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99	0.71	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.75	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.43	+0.13

Drawdowns

HYGH vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYGH drawdown since its inception was -23.88%, smaller than the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYGH and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	HYGH	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.88%	-56.00%	+32.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.62%	-9.73%	+8.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.06%	-16.55%	+8.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.24%	-26.42%	+18.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.88%	-33.53%	+9.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	-0.83%	+0.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.23%	-8.61%	+6.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.41%	2.16%	-1.75%

Volatility

HYGH vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF (HYGH) is 0.63%, while iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) has a volatility of 3.93%. This indicates that HYGH 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.

Volatility by Period

	HYGH	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.63%	3.93%	-3.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.84%	10.29%	-7.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.66%	12.78%	-9.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.07%	16.05%	-8.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.35%	17.11%	-8.76%

HYGH vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

HYGH has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

HYGH vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

HYGH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.63%, 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%
HYGH iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF	6.63%	6.86%	7.85%	8.95%	6.21%	3.74%	4.06%	4.89%	6.45%	4.79%	4.60%	5.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HYGH and ACWI in my portfolio?

HYGH and ACWI have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HYGH or ACWI?

ACWI has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to HYGH (0.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYGH dropped -23.88% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

Which ETF is better, HYGH or ACWI?

On 10-year performance, ACWI leads with 12.85% vs 6.36% for HYGH. On fees, ACWI is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, HYGH has been the lower-risk option at 0.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HYGH or ACWI?

Over the 10-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 12.85% return vs 6.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HYGH or ACWI?

ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for HYGH.

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

HYGH has the higher dividend yield at 6.63%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.

What is the main difference between HYGH and ACWI?

HYGH is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while ACWI is Global Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for HYGH and 0.32% for ACWI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.09), 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.