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IWR vs. ACWI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IWR vs. ACWI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

IWR (iShares Russell Midcap ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWR is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell Midcap Index, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWR returned 11.43%/yr vs 12.53%/yr for ACWI. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. IWR charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

IWR vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWR achieves a 14.55% return, which is significantly higher than ACWI's 11.28% return. Over the past 10 years, IWR has underperformed ACWI with an annualized return of 11.43%, while ACWI has yielded a comparatively higher 12.53% annualized return.

IWR

1D
-0.28%
1M
-0.59%
6M
11.19%
YTD
14.55%
1Y
20.25%
3Y*
14.75%
5Y*
8.04%
10Y*
11.43%
ALL TIME*
9.95%

ACWI

1D
0.49%
1M
0.18%
6M
8.21%
YTD
11.28%
1Y
23.78%
3Y*
18.53%
5Y*
10.82%
10Y*
12.53%
ALL TIME*
8.47%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

ACWI

iShares MSCI ACWI ETF
$420.02M$465.87M$510.46M

IWR

iShares Russell Midcap ETF
$186.41M$266.84M$222.00M

IWR vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IWR
iShares Russell Midcap ETF		14.55%10.37%15.21%17.05%-17.48%22.44%16.93%30.23%-9.10%18.25%
ACWI
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF		11.28%22.41%17.45%22.27%-18.39%18.66%16.34%26.59%-9.19%24.33%

Correlation

The correlation between IWR and ACWI is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.77

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.84

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.89

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.89

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2008

0.90

The correlation between IWR and ACWI shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IWR vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IWR
ACWI

Technology

18.3%
32.7%

Industrials

17.2%
10.8%

Financial Services

12.6%
16.0%

Healthcare

10.9%
8.3%

Consumer Cyclical

10.2%
8.7%

Real Estate

6.9%
1.6%

Utilities

6.0%
2.4%

Energy

5.8%
3.6%

Consumer Defensive

4.5%
4.7%

Basic Materials

4.2%
3.4%

Communication Services

3.5%
8.0%

Technology

IWR
18.3%
ACWI
32.7%

Industrials

IWR
17.2%
ACWI
10.8%

Financial Services

IWR
12.6%
ACWI
16.0%

Healthcare

IWR
10.9%
ACWI
8.3%

Consumer Cyclical

IWR
10.2%
ACWI
8.7%

Real Estate

IWR
6.9%
ACWI
1.6%

Utilities

IWR
6.0%
ACWI
2.4%

Energy

IWR
5.8%
ACWI
3.6%

Consumer Defensive

IWR
4.5%
ACWI
4.7%

Basic Materials

IWR
4.2%
ACWI
3.4%

Communication Services

IWR
3.5%
ACWI
8.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Russell Midcap ETF

iShares MSCI ACWI ETF

Often compared with IWR:
IWR vs. VOIWR vs. IWDIWR vs. SPMDIWR vs. IWNIWR vs. SCHMIWR vs. VXFIWR vs. REGL
Often compared with ACWI:
ACWI vs. VTACWI vs. SPYACWI vs. VWRL.LACWI vs. ACWXACWI vs. VOOACWI vs. ACWI.LACWI vs. VTI

Return for Risk

IWR vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
IWR
IWR Risk / Return Rank: 6262
Overall Rank
IWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWR Omega Ratio Rank: 5555
Omega Ratio Rank
IWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 6666
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWR Martin Ratio Rank: 7272
Martin Ratio Rank
ACWI
ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6969
Sortino Ratio Rank
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6767
Calmar Ratio Rank
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 7777
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IWR vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

IWRACWIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.37
1.59

-0.23

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.00
2.23

-0.24

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.29

-0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.28

2.29

-0.01

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.85

9.58

-0.72

IWR vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWR Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is comparable to the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 1.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWR 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.

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Drawdowns

IWR vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWR drawdown since its inception was -58.78%, roughly equal to the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWR and ACWI.

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Drawdown Indicators

IWRACWIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.78%

-56.00%

-2.78%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.17%

-9.73%

+1.56%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-21.09%

-16.55%

-4.54%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.18%

-26.42%

+0.24%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-40.59%

-33.53%

-7.06%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.93%

-1.58%

+0.65%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.76%

-8.55%

+0.79%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.10%

2.33%

-0.23%

Volatility

IWR vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR) is 2.48%, while iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) has a volatility of 4.03%. This indicates that IWR 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.

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Volatility by Period

IWRACWIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.48%

4.03%

-1.55%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.17%

11.71%

-1.54%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.67%

14.01%

-0.34%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.22%

16.23%

+1.99%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.31%

17.06%

+2.25%

IWR vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWR has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWR vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

IWR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, less than ACWI's 1.44% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ACWI
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF		1.44%1.55%1.70%1.88%1.79%1.71%1.43%2.33%2.18%1.94%2.19%2.56%
IWR
iShares Russell Midcap ETF		1.16%1.29%1.27%1.43%1.59%1.04%1.28%1.43%1.98%1.52%1.72%1.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

IWR and ACWI have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ACWI has higher volatility (4.03%) compared to IWR (2.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWR dropped -58.78% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

On 10-year performance, ACWI leads with 12.53% vs 11.43% for IWR. On fees, IWR is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, IWR has been the lower-risk option at 2.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 12.53% return vs 11.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IWR is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ACWI.

ACWI has the higher dividend yield at 1.44%, compared with 1.16% for IWR.

IWR is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while ACWI is Global Equities. IWR tracks Russell Midcap Index, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for IWR and 0.32% for ACWI.

ACWI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.59 vs 1.36), 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.

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