IYZ vs. ACWI
IYZ (iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IYZ is a Communications Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYZ returned 6.28%/yr vs 12.85%/yr for ACWI. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYZ charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.
Performance
IYZ vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IYZ achieves a 32.03% return, which is significantly higher than ACWI's 12.13% return. Over the past 10 years, IYZ has underperformed ACWI with an annualized return of 6.28%, while ACWI has yielded a comparatively higher 12.85% annualized return.
IYZ
- 1D
- -2.96%
- 1M
- 4.94%
- YTD
- 32.03%
- 6M
- 38.73%
- 1Y
- 59.79%
- 3Y*
- 30.34%
- 5Y*
- 8.18%
- 10Y*
- 6.28%
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%
IYZ vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 32.03% | 29.28% | 20.53% | 3.90% | -30.29% | 11.69% | 4.13% | 16.14% | -8.59% | -11.86% |
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 IYZ and ACWI is 0.56, 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 | 0.56 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.69 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2008 | 0.72 |
The correlation between IYZ and ACWI shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.72 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IYZ vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank
IYZ
ACWI
IYZ vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) 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.
| IYZ | ACWI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.58 | 1.41 | +0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 9.54 | 3.01 | +6.53 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 32.08 | 13.53 | +18.56 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| IYZ | ACWI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.35 | 2.29 | +1.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.44 | 0.71 | -0.27 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.33 | 0.75 | -0.43 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.07 | 0.43 | -0.35 |
Drawdowns
IYZ vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IYZ drawdown since its inception was -77.11%, which is greater than ACWI's maximum drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYZ and ACWI.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IYZ | ACWI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -77.11% | -56.00% | -21.11% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.30% | -9.73% | +3.43% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.85% | -16.55% | +2.70% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -39.74% | -26.42% | -13.32% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.74% | -33.53% | -6.21% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.96% | -0.83% | -2.13% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -40.14% | -8.61% | -31.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.87% | 2.16% | -0.29% |
Volatility
IYZ vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison
iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) has a higher volatility of 7.44% compared to iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) at 3.93%. This indicates that IYZ'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.
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Volatility by Period
| IYZ | ACWI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.44% | 3.93% | +3.51% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.76% | 10.29% | +4.47% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.95% | 12.78% | +5.17% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.75% | 16.05% | +2.70% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.25% | 17.11% | +2.14% |
IYZ vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison
IYZ has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.
Dividends
IYZ vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison
IYZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, 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% |
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 1.50% | 2.04% | 1.94% | 2.27% | 2.55% | 2.51% | 2.60% | 2.36% | 2.15% | 3.54% | 2.27% | 1.98% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IYZ and ACWI have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IYZ has higher volatility (7.44%) compared to ACWI (3.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYZ dropped -77.11% vs ACWI's -56.00%.
On 10-year performance, ACWI leads with 12.85% vs 6.28% for IYZ. 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.
Over the 10-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 12.85% return vs 6.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for IYZ.
IYZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.
IYZ is categorized as Communications Equities, while ACWI is Global Equities. IYZ tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for IYZ and 0.32% for ACWI.
IYZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.35 vs 2.29), 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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