IYR vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IYR (iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYR is a REIT fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYR returned 5.47%/yr vs 12.85%/yr for ACWI. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYR charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

IYR vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF (IYR) 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, IYR achieves a 6.81% return, which is significantly lower than ACWI's 12.13% return. Over the past 10 years, IYR has underperformed ACWI with an annualized return of 5.47%, while ACWI has yielded a comparatively higher 12.85% annualized return.

IYR

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: -1.60%
• YTD: 6.81%
• 6M: 5.67%
• 1Y: 8.44%
• 3Y*: 8.68%
• 5Y*: 2.02%
• 10Y*: 5.47%

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)

IYR vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IYR iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF	6.81%	3.38%	4.41%	11.89%	-25.51%	38.74%	-5.23%	28.21%	-4.33%	9.31%
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 IYR and ACWI is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2008	0.64

Over the past year, the correlation between IYR and ACWI has dropped to 0.40 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

IYR vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IYR	ACWI
Real Estate	97.9%	1.8%
Basic Materials	1.3%	3.7%
Communication Services	0.6%	9.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.0%
Energy	-	4.2%
Financial Services	-	16.1%
Healthcare	-	8.1%
Industrials	-	10.9%
Technology	-	29.4%
Utilities	-	2.6%

Return for Risk

IYR vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

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

IYR

IYR Risk / Return Rank: 20
IYR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
IYR Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
IYR Omega Ratio Rank: 18
IYR Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
IYR Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

IYR vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF (IYR) 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.

	IYR	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	2.29	-1.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.96	3.17	-2.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.41	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.99	3.01	-2.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.10	13.53	-10.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IYR vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYR Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is lower than the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYR 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

	IYR	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64	2.29	-1.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.71	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	0.75	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.43	-0.10

Drawdowns

IYR vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYR drawdown since its inception was -74.13%, which is greater than ACWI's maximum drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYR and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYR	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.13%	-56.00%	-18.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.54%	-9.73%	+1.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.52%	-16.55%	-0.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.75%	-26.42%	-7.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.32%	-33.53%	-8.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.91%	-0.83%	-3.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.91%	-8.61%	-4.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.73%	2.16%	+0.57%

Volatility

IYR vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF (IYR) is 3.69%, while iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) has a volatility of 3.93%. This indicates that IYR 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

	IYR	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.69%	3.93%	-0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.35%	10.29%	-0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.19%	12.78%	+0.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.71%	16.05%	+2.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.31%	17.11%	+3.20%

IYR vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYR has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYR vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

IYR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.25%, 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%
IYR iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF	2.25%	2.48%	2.57%	2.75%	2.92%	2.06%	2.58%	3.05%	3.53%	3.73%	4.41%	3.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IYR and ACWI in my portfolio?

IYR and ACWI have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYR or ACWI?

ACWI has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to IYR (3.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYR dropped -74.13% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

Which ETF is better, IYR or ACWI?

On 10-year performance, ACWI leads with 12.85% vs 5.47% for IYR. On fees, ACWI is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, IYR has been the lower-risk option at 3.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IYR or ACWI?

Over the 10-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 12.85% return vs 5.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IYR or ACWI?

ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IYR.

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

IYR has the higher dividend yield at 2.25%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.

What is the main difference between IYR and ACWI?

IYR is categorized as REIT, while ACWI is Global Equities. IYR tracks Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYR and 0.32% for ACWI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 0.64), 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.