HYXF vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HYXF (iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HYXF is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg MSCI US High Yield Corporate Choice ESG Screened, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HYXF returned 3.66%/yr vs 11.28%/yr for ACWI. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HYXF charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

HYXF vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYXF) 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, HYXF achieves a 0.91% return, which is significantly lower than ACWI's 12.13% return.

HYXF

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 0.91%
• 6M: 1.51%
• 1Y: 5.86%
• 3Y*: 8.56%
• 5Y*: 3.66%
• 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%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

HYXF vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HYXF iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	0.91%	8.88%	8.35%	11.87%	-11.90%	2.60%	6.07%	14.87%	-0.24%	6.89%
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 HYXF and ACWI is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2016	0.62

The correlation between HYXF and ACWI shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (all time) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HYXF vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HYXF	ACWI
Communication Services	100.0%	9.0%
Basic Materials	-	3.7%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.0%
Energy	-	4.2%
Financial Services	-	16.1%
Healthcare	-	8.1%
Industrials	-	10.9%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	29.4%
Utilities	-	2.6%

Return for Risk

HYXF vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

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

HYXF

HYXF Risk / Return Rank: 49
HYXF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
HYXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
HYXF Omega Ratio Rank: 46
HYXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
HYXF Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

HYXF vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYXF) 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.

	HYXF	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	2.29	-0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	3.17	-0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.41	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	3.01	-0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.32	13.53	-3.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HYXF vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HYXF Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is lower than the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HYXF 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

	HYXF	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.56	2.29	-0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.71	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.75	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.43	+0.19

Drawdowns

HYXF vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYXF drawdown since its inception was -18.75%, smaller than the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYXF and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	HYXF	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.75%	-56.00%	+37.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.57%	-9.73%	+7.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.81%	-16.55%	+11.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.00%	-26.42%	+10.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.53%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.27%	-0.83%	+0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.58%	-8.61%	+6.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.57%	2.16%	-1.59%

Volatility

HYXF vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYXF) is 1.15%, while iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) has a volatility of 3.93%. This indicates that HYXF 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

	HYXF	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.15%	3.93%	-2.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.93%	10.29%	-7.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.78%	12.78%	-9.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.04%	16.05%	-8.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.32%	17.11%	-8.79%

HYXF vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

HYXF has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

HYXF vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

HYXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.09%, 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%
HYXF iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	6.09%	6.19%	6.40%	5.93%	5.37%	4.56%	4.96%	5.29%	6.14%	5.85%	3.16%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HYXF and ACWI in my portfolio?

HYXF and ACWI have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HYXF or ACWI?

ACWI has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to HYXF (1.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYXF dropped -18.75% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

Which ETF is better, HYXF or ACWI?

On 5-year performance, ACWI leads with 11.28% vs 3.66% for HYXF. On fees, ACWI is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, HYXF has been the lower-risk option at 1.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HYXF or ACWI?

Over the 5-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 11.28% return vs 3.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HYXF or ACWI?

ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for HYXF.

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

HYXF has the higher dividend yield at 6.09%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.

What is the main difference between HYXF and ACWI?

HYXF is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while ACWI is Global Equities. HYXF tracks Bloomberg MSCI US High Yield Corporate Choice ESG Screened, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for HYXF and 0.32% for ACWI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.56), 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.