VUAA.L vs. WSML.L

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VUAA.L (Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Accumulation) and WSML.L (iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc)) are both exchange-traded funds - VUAA.L is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Net Total Return, while WSML.L is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VUAA.L returned 13.22%/yr vs 7.00%/yr for WSML.L. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VUAA.L charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for WSML.L.

Performance

VUAA.L vs. WSML.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Accumulation (VUAA.L) and iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (WSML.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUAA.L achieves a 8.41% return, which is significantly lower than WSML.L's 14.98% return.

VUAA.L

• 1D: 2.02%
• 1M: -0.83%
• YTD: 8.41%
• 6M: 9.69%
• 1Y: 24.92%
• 3Y*: 20.75%
• 5Y*: 13.22%
• 10Y*: —

WSML.L

• 1D: 2.86%
• 1M: 2.45%
• YTD: 14.98%
• 6M: 14.98%
• 1Y: 32.15%
• 3Y*: 16.81%
• 5Y*: 7.00%
• 10Y*: —

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

VUAA.L vs. WSML.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VUAA.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Accumulation	8.41%	17.37%	25.27%	26.68%	-18.63%	29.34%	20.33%	14.82%
WSML.L iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc)	14.98%	19.95%	7.38%	17.11%	-18.62%	15.23%	16.50%	11.51%

Correlation

The correlation between VUAA.L and WSML.L is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2019	0.84

The correlation between VUAA.L and WSML.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

VUAA.L vs. WSML.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUAA.L	WSML.L
Technology	35.7%	13.5%
Financial Services	11.6%	13.5%
Communication Services	11.3%	3.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	10.9%
Healthcare	8.5%	9.6%
Industrials	8.3%	20.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.1%
Energy	3.5%	5.5%
Utilities	2.4%	2.9%
Real Estate	1.9%	8.2%
Basic Materials	1.8%	8.2%

Return for Risk

VUAA.L vs. WSML.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUAA.L

VUAA.L Risk / Return Rank: 74
VUAA.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VUAA.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VUAA.L Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VUAA.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VUAA.L Martin Ratio Rank: 76

WSML.L

WSML.L Risk / Return Rank: 76
WSML.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
WSML.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
WSML.L Omega Ratio Rank: 72
WSML.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
WSML.L Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

VUAA.L vs. WSML.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Accumulation (VUAA.L) and iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (WSML.L). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VUAA.L	WSML.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.08	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	3.17	-0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.37	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.99	3.46	-0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.46	12.61	-0.16

VUAA.L vs. WSML.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUAA.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the WSML.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUAA.L and WSML.L, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VUAA.L vs. WSML.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUAA.L drawdown since its inception was -34.05%, smaller than the maximum WSML.L drawdown of -41.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUAA.L and WSML.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUAA.L	WSML.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.05%	-41.14%	+7.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.18%	-9.05%	+0.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.39%	-20.10%	+1.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.36%	-30.50%	+6.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.26%	0.00%	-2.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-8.76%	+3.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	2.49%	-0.52%

Volatility

VUAA.L vs. WSML.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Accumulation (VUAA.L) is 3.99%, while iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (WSML.L) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that VUAA.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WSML.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUAA.L	WSML.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.99%	4.87%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.03%	11.71%	-2.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.03%	15.07%	-3.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.05%	18.55%	-2.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.81%	19.58%	-1.77%

VUAA.L vs. WSML.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUAA.L has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than WSML.L's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUAA.L vs. WSML.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither VUAA.L nor WSML.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VUAA.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Accumulation	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.63%
WSML.L iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF USD (Acc)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUAA.L and WSML.L in my portfolio?

VUAA.L and WSML.L have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VUAA.L or WSML.L?

On fees, VUAA.L is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUAA.L or WSML.L?

VUAA.L is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for WSML.L.

What is the main difference between VUAA.L and WSML.L?

VUAA.L is categorized as S&P 500, while WSML.L is Global Equities. VUAA.L tracks S&P 500 Net Total Return, while WSML.L tracks MSCI World Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VUAA.L and 0.35% for WSML.L.