IAI vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IAI (iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IAI is a Financials Equities fund tracking the DJ US Select / Investment Services, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IAI returned 18.46%/yr vs 12.85%/yr for ACWI. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IAI charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

IAI vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) 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, IAI achieves a 0.24% return, which is significantly lower than ACWI's 12.13% return. Over the past 10 years, IAI has outperformed ACWI with an annualized return of 18.46%, while ACWI has yielded a comparatively lower 12.85% annualized return.

IAI

• 1D: -1.71%
• 1M: 1.75%
• YTD: 0.24%
• 6M: 1.73%
• 1Y: 16.52%
• 3Y*: 27.84%
• 5Y*: 13.43%
• 10Y*: 18.46%

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)

IAI vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	0.24%	25.80%	34.37%	15.27%	-10.87%	40.48%	18.61%	24.26%	-9.47%	28.86%
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 IAI and ACWI is 0.66, 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	0.66
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	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2008	0.76

The correlation between IAI and ACWI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

IAI vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IAI	ACWI
Financial Services	99.9%	16.1%
Technology	0.1%	29.4%
Basic Materials	-	3.7%
Communication Services	-	9.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.0%
Energy	-	4.2%
Healthcare	-	8.1%
Industrials	-	10.9%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Utilities	-	2.6%

Return for Risk

IAI vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAI

IAI Risk / Return Rank: 23
IAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
IAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
IAI Omega Ratio Rank: 23
IAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
IAI Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

IAI vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) 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.

	IAI	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	2.29	-1.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.27	3.17	-1.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.41	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.00	3.01	-2.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.88	13.53	-10.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IAI vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAI Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is lower than the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAI 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

	IAI	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87	2.29	-1.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.71	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.75	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.43	-0.15

Drawdowns

IAI vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAI drawdown since its inception was -75.46%, which is greater than ACWI's maximum drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAI and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAI	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.46%	-56.00%	-19.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.52%	-9.73%	-6.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.14%	-16.55%	-6.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.84%	-26.42%	-2.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.38%	-33.53%	-6.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.57%	-0.83%	-4.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.66%	-8.61%	-14.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.75%	2.16%	+3.59%

Volatility

IAI vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) has a higher volatility of 4.48% compared to iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) at 3.93%. This indicates that IAI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ACWI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IAI	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.48%	3.93%	+0.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.92%	10.29%	+4.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.05%	12.78%	+6.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.42%	16.05%	+5.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.84%	17.11%	+5.73%

IAI vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAI has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAI vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

IAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, less 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%
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	1.08%	0.95%	1.05%	1.80%	2.14%	1.31%	1.55%	1.52%	1.58%	1.37%	1.49%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAI and ACWI in my portfolio?

IAI and ACWI have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IAI or ACWI?

IAI has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to ACWI (3.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAI dropped -75.46% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

Which ETF is better, IAI or ACWI?

On 10-year performance, IAI leads with 18.46% vs 12.85% for ACWI. On fees, ACWI is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, ACWI has been the lower-risk option at 3.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IAI or ACWI?

Over the 10-year period, IAI has performed better with a 18.46% return vs 12.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAI or ACWI?

ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for IAI.

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

ACWI has the higher dividend yield at 1.38%, compared with 1.08% for IAI.

What is the main difference between IAI and ACWI?

IAI is categorized as Financials Equities, while ACWI is Global Equities. IAI tracks DJ US Select / Investment Services, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for IAI and 0.32% for ACWI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 0.87), 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.