VEA vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VEA returned 10.13%/yr vs 12.82%/yr for ACWI. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VEA charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

VEA vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) 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, VEA achieves a 15.19% return, which is significantly higher than ACWI's 12.47% return. Over the past 10 years, VEA has underperformed ACWI with an annualized return of 10.13%, while ACWI has yielded a comparatively higher 12.82% annualized return.

VEA

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 4.15%
• YTD: 15.19%
• 6M: 18.13%
• 1Y: 32.11%
• 3Y*: 20.11%
• 5Y*: 9.65%
• 10Y*: 10.13%

ACWI

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 4.45%
• YTD: 12.47%
• 6M: 13.07%
• 1Y: 29.24%
• 3Y*: 21.38%
• 5Y*: 11.35%
• 10Y*: 12.82%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VEA vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	15.19%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	12.47%	22.41%	17.45%	22.27%	-18.39%	18.66%	16.34%	26.59%	-9.19%	24.33%

Correlation

The correlation between VEA and ACWI is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2008	0.93

The correlation between VEA and ACWI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEA vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEA	ACWI
Financial Services	23.3%	16.1%
Industrials	19.2%	10.9%
Technology	13.8%	29.4%
Healthcare	8.2%	8.1%
Basic Materials	7.5%	3.7%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.6%	5.0%
Energy	5.4%	4.2%
Communication Services	3.4%	9.0%
Utilities	3.3%	2.6%
Real Estate	2.7%	1.8%

Return for Risk

VEA vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 61
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 61

ACWI

ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 70
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 71
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

VEA vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) 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.

	VEA	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.30	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	3.17	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.42	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	3.02	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.82	13.55	-2.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEA vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEA Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 2.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEA 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

	VEA	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	2.30	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.71	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.75	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.43	-0.18

Drawdowns

VEA vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEA drawdown since its inception was -60.68%, which is greater than ACWI's maximum drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEA and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEA	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.68%	-56.00%	-4.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.63%	-9.73%	-1.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.45%	-16.55%	+3.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.71%	-26.42%	-3.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.73%	-33.53%	-2.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-0.53%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.29%	-8.61%	-4.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.98%	2.16%	+0.82%

Volatility

VEA vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a higher volatility of 5.49% compared to iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) at 3.83%. This indicates that VEA'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

	VEA	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.49%	3.83%	+1.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.32%	10.30%	+3.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.64%	12.79%	+2.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.54%	16.05%	+0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.35%	17.11%	+0.24%

VEA vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEA has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEA vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, 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%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.61%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEA and ACWI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, VEA and ACWI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VEA or ACWI?

VEA has higher volatility (5.49%) compared to ACWI (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEA dropped -60.68% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

Which ETF is better, VEA or ACWI?

On 10-year performance, ACWI leads with 12.82% vs 10.13% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, ACWI has been the lower-risk option at 3.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEA or ACWI?

Over the 10-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 12.82% return vs 10.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEA or ACWI?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ACWI.

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

VEA has the higher dividend yield at 2.61%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.

What is the main difference between VEA and ACWI?

VEA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while ACWI is Global Equities. VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VEA and 0.32% for ACWI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ACWI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 2.06), 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.