SPDW vs. SDG
SPDW (SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF) and SDG (iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPDW is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index, while SDG is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPDW returned 10.09%/yr vs 8.63%/yr for SDG. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPDW charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for SDG.
Performance
SPDW vs. SDG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SPDW achieves a 15.00% return, which is significantly higher than SDG's 9.89% return. Over the past 10 years, SPDW has outperformed SDG with an annualized return of 10.09%, while SDG has yielded a comparatively lower 8.63% annualized return.
SPDW
- 1D
- -0.87%
- 1M
- 5.56%
- YTD
- 15.00%
- 6M
- 18.06%
- 1Y
- 32.15%
- 3Y*
- 19.77%
- 5Y*
- 9.38%
- 10Y*
- 10.09%
SDG
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 4.20%
- YTD
- 9.89%
- 6M
- 9.62%
- 1Y
- 25.55%
- 3Y*
- 7.55%
- 5Y*
- 0.66%
- 10Y*
- 8.63%
SPDW vs. SDG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 15.00% | 34.75% | 3.55% | 17.81% | -15.98% | 11.45% | 9.90% | 22.41% | -14.22% | 25.81% |
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 9.89% | 20.19% | -10.09% | 4.59% | -11.51% | -1.20% | 44.36% | 25.38% | -8.32% | 27.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between SPDW and SDG is 0.79, 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 | 0.79 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.83 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.81 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2016 | 0.80 |
The correlation between SPDW and SDG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SPDW vs. SDG — Risk / Return Rank
SPDW
SDG
SPDW vs. SDG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) and iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG). 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.
| SPDW | SDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.39 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.32 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.80 | 2.96 | -0.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.93 | 10.84 | +0.09 |
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
| SPDW | SDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.07 | 1.78 | +0.29 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.57 | 0.04 | +0.53 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.59 | 0.52 | +0.07 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.24 | 0.51 | -0.28 |
Drawdowns
SPDW vs. SDG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SPDW drawdown since its inception was -60.02%, which is greater than SDG's maximum drawdown of -30.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPDW and SDG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SPDW | SDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.02% | -30.35% | -29.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.55% | -8.68% | -2.87% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.53% | -22.92% | +9.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.21% | -30.35% | +0.14% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.98% | -30.35% | -4.63% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.87% | -0.33% | -0.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.91% | -9.66% | -3.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.95% | 2.36% | +0.59% |
Volatility
SPDW vs. SDG - Volatility Comparison
SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF (SPDW) has a higher volatility of 5.63% compared to iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) at 5.28%. This indicates that SPDW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SPDW | SDG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.63% | 5.28% | +0.35% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.17% | 11.07% | +2.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.60% | 14.41% | +1.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.49% | 15.63% | +0.86% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.26% | 16.68% | +0.58% |
SPDW vs. SDG - Expense Ratio Comparison
SPDW has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than SDG's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
SPDW vs. SDG - Dividend Comparison
SPDW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.87%, more than SDG's 1.82% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SDG iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF | 1.82% | 2.00% | 1.95% | 1.77% | 1.82% | 1.66% | 0.97% | 1.39% | 2.47% | 2.54% | 1.34% | 0.00% |
SPDW SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 2.87% | 3.30% | 3.19% | 2.75% | 3.12% | 3.04% | 1.87% | 3.13% | 3.08% | 1.86% | 3.11% | 2.78% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SPDW and SDG have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SPDW has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to SDG (5.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPDW dropped -60.02% vs SDG's -30.35%.
On 10-year performance, SPDW leads with 10.09% vs 8.63% for SDG. On fees, SPDW is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SDG has been the lower-risk option at 5.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SPDW has performed better with a 10.09% return vs 8.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPDW is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SDG.
SPDW has the higher dividend yield at 2.87%, compared with 1.82% for SDG.
SPDW is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while SDG is Global Equities. SPDW tracks S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI Index, while SDG tracks MSCI ACWI Sustainable Development Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for SPDW and 0.50% for SDG.
SPDW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.78), 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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