WQDS.L vs. ACWI.L

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

WQDS.L (iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist)) and ACWI.L (SPDR MSCI ACWI UCITS ETF) are both Global Equities funds - WQDS.L tracks the MSCI World High Dividend Yield ESG Reduced Carbon Target Select Index while ACWI.L tracks the MSCI ACWI Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, WQDS.L returned 12.69%/yr vs 11.22%/yr for ACWI.L. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WQDS.L charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for ACWI.L.

Performance

WQDS.L vs. ACWI.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (WQDS.L) and SPDR MSCI ACWI UCITS ETF (ACWI.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WQDS.L achieves a 15.40% return, which is significantly higher than ACWI.L's 10.26% return.

WQDS.L

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -0.77%
• 6M: 13.70%
• YTD: 15.40%
• 1Y: 26.94%
• 3Y*: 16.21%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.29%

ACWI.L

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -2.64%
• 6M: 8.82%
• YTD: 10.26%
• 1Y: 21.87%
• 3Y*: 16.84%
• 5Y*: 11.22%
• 10Y*: 11.98%
• ALL TIME*: 11.38%

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

WQDS.L vs. ACWI.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WQDS.L iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist)	15.40%	15.54%	11.68%	10.80%	4.05%	17.47%	-3.37%	18.77%	-5.32%	-20.48%
ACWI.L SPDR MSCI ACWI UCITS ETF	10.26%	14.32%	19.66%	15.59%	-8.59%	20.16%	11.93%	22.61%	-4.50%	4.77%

Correlation

The correlation between WQDS.L and ACWI.L is 0.77, 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	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2017	0.71

The correlation between WQDS.L and ACWI.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

WQDS.L vs. ACWI.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WQDS.L	ACWI.L
Technology	35.8%	32.6%
Financial Services	17.5%	16.0%
Healthcare	13.3%	8.3%
Industrials	9.6%	10.8%
Consumer Cyclical	5.8%	8.7%
Communication Services	5.0%	8.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	4.7%
Energy	3.2%	3.5%
Utilities	3.0%	2.5%
Real Estate	1.0%	1.6%
Basic Materials	0.9%	3.4%

Return for Risk

WQDS.L vs. ACWI.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

WQDS.L

WQDS.L Risk / Return Rank: 92
WQDS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
WQDS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
WQDS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 92
WQDS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
WQDS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 89

ACWI.L

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

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.

WQDS.L vs. ACWI.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (WQDS.L) and SPDR MSCI ACWI UCITS ETF (ACWI.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.

	WQDS.L	ACWI.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	1.98	+0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.72	2.78	+0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.37	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.97	3.09	+0.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.72	11.81	+2.90

WQDS.L vs. ACWI.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WQDS.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is higher than the ACWI.L Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WQDS.L and ACWI.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

WQDS.L vs. ACWI.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WQDS.L drawdown since its inception was -30.62%, which is greater than ACWI.L's maximum drawdown of -26.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WQDS.L and ACWI.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	WQDS.L	ACWI.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.62%	-26.07%	-4.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.75%	-7.05%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.93%	-20.07%	+5.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.93%	-20.07%	+5.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.19%	-2.64%	+1.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.98%	-4.38%	-4.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.82%	1.85%	-0.03%

Volatility

WQDS.L vs. ACWI.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (WQDS.L) is 2.74%, while SPDR MSCI ACWI UCITS ETF (ACWI.L) has a volatility of 3.16%. This indicates that WQDS.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ACWI.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WQDS.L	ACWI.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.74%	3.16%	-0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.04%	8.45%	-0.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.38%	11.02%	-0.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.57%	19.00%	-7.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.95%	17.61%	-2.66%

WQDS.L vs. ACWI.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

WQDS.L has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than ACWI.L's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

WQDS.L vs. ACWI.L - Dividend Comparison

WQDS.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.15%, while ACWI.L has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ACWI.L SPDR MSCI ACWI UCITS ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
WQDS.L iShares MSCI World Quality Dividend ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist)	2.15%	2.34%	2.56%	2.86%	2.97%	2.70%	3.03%	3.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WQDS.L and ACWI.L in my portfolio?

WQDS.L and ACWI.L have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, WQDS.L or ACWI.L?

On fees, WQDS.L is cheaper at 0.38% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, WQDS.L or ACWI.L?

WQDS.L is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for ACWI.L.

What is the main difference between WQDS.L and ACWI.L?

WQDS.L tracks MSCI World High Dividend Yield ESG Reduced Carbon Target Select Index, while ACWI.L tracks MSCI ACWI Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for WQDS.L and 0.40% for ACWI.L.