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VT vs. ACWI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VT vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both Global Equities funds - VT tracks the FTSE Global All Cap Index while ACWI tracks the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VT returned 12.30%/yr vs 12.43%/yr for ACWI. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VT charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

VT vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VT having a 9.20% return and ACWI slightly lower at 9.12%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VT having a 12.30% annualized return and ACWI not far ahead at 12.43%.

VT

1D
-3.07%
1M
-0.89%
YTD
9.20%
6M
9.69%
1Y
25.79%
3Y*
19.73%
5Y*
10.38%
10Y*
12.30%

ACWI

1D
-2.98%
1M
-0.65%
YTD
9.12%
6M
9.60%
1Y
25.76%
3Y*
19.97%
5Y*
10.68%
10Y*
12.43%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VT vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VT
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF		9.20%22.43%16.49%22.02%-18.00%18.27%16.59%26.81%-9.76%24.50%
ACWI
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF		9.12%22.41%17.45%22.27%-18.39%18.66%16.34%26.59%-9.19%24.33%

Correlation

The correlation between VT and ACWI is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.00

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

1.00

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

1.00

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

1.00

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2008

0.98

The correlation between VT and ACWI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

VT vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VT
ACWI

Technology

27.8%
29.4%

Financial Services

15.9%
16.1%

Industrials

12.0%
10.9%

Consumer Cyclical

9.5%
9.3%

Communication Services

8.3%
9.0%

Healthcare

8.1%
8.1%

Consumer Defensive

4.8%
5.0%

Energy

4.3%
4.2%

Basic Materials

4.2%
3.7%

Utilities

2.7%
2.6%

Real Estate

2.4%
1.8%

Technology

VT
27.8%
ACWI
29.4%

Financial Services

VT
15.9%
ACWI
16.1%

Industrials

VT
12.0%
ACWI
10.9%

Consumer Cyclical

VT
9.5%
ACWI
9.3%

Communication Services

VT
8.3%
ACWI
9.0%

Healthcare

VT
8.1%
ACWI
8.1%

Consumer Defensive

VT
4.8%
ACWI
5.0%

Energy

VT
4.3%
ACWI
4.2%

Basic Materials

VT
4.2%
ACWI
3.7%

Utilities

VT
2.7%
ACWI
2.6%

Real Estate

VT
2.4%
ACWI
1.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF

iShares MSCI ACWI ETF

Often compared with VT:
VT vs. VOOVT vs. VTIVT vs. VXUSVT vs. SPYVT vs. VWRA.LVT vs. VWCE.DEVT vs. QQQ
Often compared with ACWI:
ACWI vs. SPYACWI vs. VWRL.LACWI vs. ACWXACWI vs. ACWI.LACWI vs. VOOACWI vs. VTIACWI vs. SSAC.L

Return for Risk

VT vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VT
VT Risk / Return Rank: 6060
Overall Rank
VT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6060
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VT Sortino Ratio Rank: 5858
Sortino Ratio Rank
VT Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
VT Calmar Ratio Rank: 5555
Calmar Ratio Rank
VT Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
Martin Ratio Rank
ACWI
ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6060
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 5858
Sortino Ratio Rank
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 5555
Calmar Ratio Rank
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VT vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) 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.

VTACWIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.98
1.97

+0.01

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.70
2.69

+0.02

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.36

1.36

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.68

2.66

+0.02

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.87

11.88

-0.01

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VT vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VT Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VT 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VTACWIDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.98

1.97

+0.01

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.65

0.67

-0.02

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.71

0.73

-0.01

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.43

0.42

+0.01

Drawdowns

VT vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VT drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, smaller than the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VT and ACWI.

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Drawdown Indicators

VTACWIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.27%

-56.00%

+5.73%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.67%

-9.73%

+0.06%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.51%

-16.55%

+0.04%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-26.38%

-26.42%

+0.04%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.24%

-33.53%

-0.71%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.56%

-3.49%

-0.07%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.02%

-8.61%

+1.59%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.18%

2.17%

+0.01%

Volatility

VT vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) have volatilities of 4.60% and 4.59%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VTACWIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.60%

4.59%

+0.01%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.66%

10.76%

-0.10%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.09%

13.15%

-0.06%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.10%

16.10%

0.00%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.26%

17.13%

+0.13%

VT vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VT has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

VT vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

VT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, more than ACWI's 1.42% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ACWI
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF		1.42%1.55%1.70%1.88%1.79%1.71%1.43%2.33%2.18%1.94%2.19%2.56%
VT
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF		1.64%1.82%1.95%2.08%2.20%1.82%1.66%2.32%2.53%2.11%2.39%2.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 1.00, VT 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.

VT has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to ACWI (4.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VT dropped -50.27% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

On 10-year performance, ACWI leads with 12.43% vs 12.30% for VT. On fees, VT is cheaper at 0.06% per year. Their volatility is very similar. 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 12.43% return vs 12.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VT is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for ACWI.

VT has the higher dividend yield at 1.64%, compared with 1.42% for ACWI.

VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VT and 0.32% for ACWI.

VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.97), 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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