VUAG.L vs. IWDG.L

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VUAG.L (Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating) and IWDG.L (iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VUAG.L is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while IWDG.L is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VUAG.L returned 14.39%/yr vs 11.81%/yr for IWDG.L. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VUAG.L charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for IWDG.L.

Performance

VUAG.L vs. IWDG.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating (VUAG.L) and iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (IWDG.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VUAG.L is traded in GBP, while IWDG.L is traded in GBp. To make them comparable, the IWDG.L values have been converted to GBP using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VUAG.L having a 8.79% return and IWDG.L slightly lower at 8.77%.

VUAG.L

• 1D: 1.48%
• 1M: -0.32%
• YTD: 8.79%
• 6M: 9.16%
• 1Y: 26.56%
• 3Y*: 18.26%
• 5Y*: 14.39%
• 10Y*: —

IWDG.L

• 1D: 2.00%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 8.77%
• 6M: 10.04%
• 1Y: 24.75%
• 3Y*: 19.32%
• 5Y*: 11.81%
• 10Y*: —

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

VUAG.L vs. IWDG.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VUAG.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating	8.79%	9.36%	27.34%	19.65%	-8.87%	30.97%	16.23%	-12.98%
IWDG.L iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF	8.77%	18.71%	21.37%	23.13%	-17.43%	24.30%	11.80%	12.59%

Correlation

The correlation between VUAG.L and IWDG.L is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2019	0.79

The correlation between VUAG.L and IWDG.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

VUAG.L vs. IWDG.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUAG.L	IWDG.L
Technology	35.7%	30.5%
Financial Services	11.6%	15.4%
Communication Services	11.3%	8.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	8.8%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.8%
Industrials	8.3%	10.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	5.0%
Energy	3.5%	4.0%
Utilities	2.4%	2.8%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.7%
Basic Materials	1.8%	3.3%

Return for Risk

VUAG.L vs. IWDG.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUAG.L

VUAG.L Risk / Return Rank: 82
VUAG.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VUAG.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VUAG.L Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VUAG.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VUAG.L Martin Ratio Rank: 79

IWDG.L

IWDG.L Risk / Return Rank: 73
IWDG.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IWDG.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
IWDG.L Omega Ratio Rank: 71
IWDG.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IWDG.L Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

VUAG.L vs. IWDG.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating (VUAG.L) and iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (IWDG.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.

	VUAG.L	IWDG.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	2.04	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	3.01	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.37	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	3.14	+0.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.20	13.33	-0.12

VUAG.L vs. IWDG.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUAG.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the IWDG.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUAG.L and IWDG.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

VUAG.L vs. IWDG.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUAG.L drawdown since its inception was -30.82%, smaller than the maximum IWDG.L drawdown of -34.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUAG.L and IWDG.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUAG.L	IWDG.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.82%	-34.20%	+3.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.11%	-7.64%	+0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.88%	-17.57%	-3.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.88%	-22.82%	+1.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.82%	-1.49%	-0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.47%	-4.61%	-0.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	1.80%	+0.18%

Volatility

VUAG.L vs. IWDG.L - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating (VUAG.L) and iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (IWDG.L) have volatilities of 3.57% and 3.70%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	VUAG.L	IWDG.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.57%	3.70%	-0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.56%	9.06%	-1.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.90%	11.78%	-0.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.36%	14.89%	-0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.88%	15.94%	+1.94%

VUAG.L vs. IWDG.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUAG.L has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than IWDG.L's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUAG.L vs. IWDG.L - Dividend Comparison

VUAG.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IWDG.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWDG.L iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF	1.04%	1.11%	1.24%	1.42%	1.74%	1.19%	1.35%	1.83%	2.14%	0.61%
VUAG.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUAG.L and IWDG.L in my portfolio?

VUAG.L and IWDG.L have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VUAG.L or IWDG.L?

On fees, VUAG.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, VUAG.L or IWDG.L?

VUAG.L is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for IWDG.L.

What is the main difference between VUAG.L and IWDG.L?

VUAG.L is categorized as S&P 500, while IWDG.L is Global Equities. VUAG.L tracks S&P 500 Index, while IWDG.L tracks MSCI World Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VUAG.L and 0.30% for IWDG.L.