ISCV vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISCV (iShares Morningstar Small Cap Value ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ISCV is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Small Cap Broad Value Extended Index, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ISCV returned 8.58%/yr vs 12.85%/yr for ACWI. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ISCV charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

ISCV vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Morningstar Small Cap Value ETF (ISCV) 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, ISCV achieves a 10.08% return, which is significantly lower than ACWI's 12.13% return. Over the past 10 years, ISCV has underperformed ACWI with an annualized return of 8.58%, while ACWI has yielded a comparatively higher 12.85% annualized return.

ISCV

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 2.04%
• YTD: 10.08%
• 6M: 10.27%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 15.48%
• 5Y*: 6.54%
• 10Y*: 8.58%

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)

ISCV vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISCV iShares Morningstar Small Cap Value ETF	10.08%	10.38%	9.31%	16.55%	-10.58%	29.15%	0.86%	19.51%	-17.39%	8.59%
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 ISCV and ACWI is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2008	0.80

The correlation between ISCV and ACWI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

ISCV vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ISCV	ACWI
Financial Services	21.1%	16.1%
Consumer Cyclical	13.4%	9.3%
Industrials	12.1%	10.9%
Healthcare	11.1%	8.1%
Real Estate	11.0%	1.8%
Technology	8.9%	29.4%
Energy	7.2%	4.2%
Basic Materials	5.8%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	5.0%
Utilities	3.6%	2.6%
Communication Services	1.8%	9.0%

Return for Risk

ISCV vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISCV

ISCV Risk / Return Rank: 54
ISCV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
ISCV Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
ISCV Omega Ratio Rank: 47
ISCV Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
ISCV 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.

ISCV vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Morningstar Small Cap Value ETF (ISCV) 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.

	ISCV	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	2.29	-0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	3.17	-0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.41	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	3.01	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.55	13.53	-2.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISCV vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISCV Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISCV 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

	ISCV	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.73	2.29	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.71	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	0.75	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.43	-0.06

Drawdowns

ISCV vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISCV drawdown since its inception was -63.14%, which is greater than ACWI's maximum drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISCV and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISCV	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.14%	-56.00%	-7.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.25%	-9.73%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.35%	-16.55%	-8.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.35%	-26.42%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.56%	-33.53%	-18.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.68%	-0.83%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.14%	-8.61%	-0.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.66%	2.16%	+0.50%

Volatility

ISCV vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

iShares Morningstar Small Cap Value ETF (ISCV) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) have volatilities of 3.80% and 3.93%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	ISCV	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.80%	3.93%	-0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.45%	10.29%	+0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.28%	12.78%	+3.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.83%	16.05%	+4.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.30%	17.11%	+6.19%

ISCV vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISCV has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISCV vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

ISCV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%, 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%
ISCV iShares Morningstar Small Cap Value ETF	1.88%	2.04%	2.01%	2.21%	2.12%	1.95%	2.01%	2.36%	2.48%	1.74%	2.49%	2.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISCV and ACWI in my portfolio?

ISCV and ACWI have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISCV or ACWI?

ACWI has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to ISCV (3.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISCV dropped -63.14% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

Which ETF is better, ISCV or ACWI?

On 10-year performance, ACWI leads with 12.85% vs 8.58% for ISCV. On fees, ISCV is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, ISCV has been the lower-risk option at 3.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ISCV or ACWI?

Over the 10-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 12.85% return vs 8.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISCV or ACWI?

ISCV is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ACWI.

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

ISCV has the higher dividend yield at 1.88%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.

What is the main difference between ISCV and ACWI?

ISCV is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while ACWI is Global Equities. ISCV tracks Morningstar US Small Cap Broad Value Extended Index, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for ISCV and 0.32% for ACWI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.73), 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.