ISVL vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISVL (iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ISVL is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed ex US ex Korea Small Cap Focused Value Index, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ISVL returned 10.07%/yr vs 11.28%/yr for ACWI. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ISVL charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

ISVL vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF (ISVL) 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, ISVL achieves a 8.45% return, which is significantly lower than ACWI's 12.13% return.

ISVL

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: 2.16%
• YTD: 8.45%
• 6M: 12.58%
• 1Y: 28.37%
• 3Y*: 21.34%
• 5Y*: 10.07%
• 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)

ISVL vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ISVL iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF	8.45%	42.84%	4.58%	17.56%	-13.69%	7.69%
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	12.13%	22.41%	17.45%	22.27%	-18.39%	14.80%

Correlation

The correlation between ISVL and ACWI is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 2021	0.82

The correlation between ISVL and ACWI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

ISVL vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ISVL	ACWI
Industrials	23.3%	10.9%
Financial Services	20.8%	16.1%
Real Estate	11.1%	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	9.3%
Basic Materials	9.1%	3.7%
Energy	7.3%	4.2%
Consumer Defensive	5.3%	5.0%
Technology	4.7%	29.4%
Healthcare	3.7%	8.1%
Communication Services	3.0%	9.0%
Utilities	1.5%	2.6%

Return for Risk

ISVL vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISVL

ISVL Risk / Return Rank: 54
ISVL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
ISVL Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
ISVL Omega Ratio Rank: 58
ISVL Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
ISVL Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

ISVL vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF (ISVL) 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.

	ISVL	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.29	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	3.17	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.41	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	3.01	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.95	13.53	-4.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISVL vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISVL Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISVL 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

	ISVL	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	2.29	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.71	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.75	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.43	+0.27

Drawdowns

ISVL vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISVL drawdown since its inception was -30.48%, smaller than the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISVL and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISVL	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.48%	-56.00%	+25.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.48%	-9.73%	-2.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.93%	-16.55%	+3.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.48%	-26.42%	-4.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.53%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.16%	-0.83%	-1.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.66%	-8.61%	+1.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.18%	2.16%	+1.02%

Volatility

ISVL vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF (ISVL) has a higher volatility of 4.54% compared to iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) at 3.93%. This indicates that ISVL'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

	ISVL	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	3.93%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.01%	10.29%	+1.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.47%	12.78%	+1.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	16.05%	+0.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.78%	17.11%	-0.33%

ISVL vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISVL has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISVL vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

ISVL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.48%, 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%
ISVL iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF	2.48%	2.69%	3.92%	3.82%	3.37%	2.82%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISVL and ACWI in my portfolio?

ISVL and ACWI have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISVL or ACWI?

ISVL has higher volatility (4.54%) compared to ACWI (3.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISVL dropped -30.48% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

Which ETF is better, ISVL or ACWI?

On 5-year performance, ACWI leads with 11.28% vs 10.07% for ISVL. On fees, ISVL is cheaper at 0.30% 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, ISVL or ACWI?

Over the 5-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 11.28% return vs 10.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISVL or ACWI?

ISVL is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ACWI.

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

ISVL has the higher dividend yield at 2.48%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.

What is the main difference between ISVL and ACWI?

ISVL is categorized as Small Cap Value Equities, while ACWI is Global Equities. ISVL tracks FTSE Developed ex US ex Korea Small Cap Focused Value Index, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for ISVL and 0.32% for ACWI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.98), 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.