XT vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XT (iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Exponential Technologies Index (Net), while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XT returned 14.70%/yr vs 12.85%/yr for ACWI. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XT charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

XT vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) 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, XT achieves a 20.20% return, which is significantly higher than ACWI's 12.13% return. Over the past 10 years, XT has outperformed ACWI with an annualized return of 14.70%, while ACWI has yielded a comparatively lower 12.85% annualized return.

XT

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 9.47%
• YTD: 20.20%
• 6M: 20.54%
• 1Y: 45.88%
• 3Y*: 18.83%
• 5Y*: 8.42%
• 10Y*: 14.70%

ACWI

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 5.28%
• YTD: 12.13%
• 6M: 12.96%
• 1Y: 29.18%
• 3Y*: 21.15%
• 5Y*: 11.28%
• 10Y*: 12.85%

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

XT vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XT iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF	20.20%	26.28%	0.29%	27.02%	-27.83%	16.43%	35.10%	30.74%	-4.93%	33.71%
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	12.13%	22.41%	17.45%	22.27%	-18.39%	18.66%	16.34%	26.59%	-9.19%	24.33%

Correlation

The correlation between XT and ACWI is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2015	0.92

The correlation between XT and ACWI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

XT vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XT	ACWI
Technology	43.5%	29.4%
Healthcare	23.4%	8.1%
Industrials	10.1%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	9.3%
Communication Services	5.2%	9.0%
Utilities	4.6%	2.6%
Financial Services	3.3%	16.1%
Basic Materials	2.0%	3.7%
Energy	0.3%	4.2%
Real Estate	0.0%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	5.0%

Return for Risk

XT vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

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

XT

XT Risk / Return Rank: 84
XT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
XT Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
XT Omega Ratio Rank: 79
XT Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
XT Martin Ratio Rank: 86

ACWI

ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 66
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

XT vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) 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.

	XT	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.89	2.29	+0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.83	3.17	+0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.41	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.41	3.01	+1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.51	13.53	+4.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XT vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XT Sharpe Ratio is 2.89, which is comparable to the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XT 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

	XT	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.89	2.29	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.71	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.75	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.43	+0.23

Drawdowns

XT vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XT drawdown since its inception was -34.41%, smaller than the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XT and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	XT	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.41%	-56.00%	+21.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.45%	-9.73%	-0.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.09%	-16.55%	-5.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.41%	-26.42%	-7.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.41%	-33.53%	-0.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	-0.83%	+0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.41%	-8.61%	+1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	2.16%	+0.33%

Volatility

XT vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) has a higher volatility of 4.85% compared to iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) at 3.93%. This indicates that XT'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

	XT	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.85%	3.93%	+0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.94%	10.29%	+1.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.99%	12.78%	+3.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.76%	16.05%	+4.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.08%	17.11%	+2.97%

XT vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

XT has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

XT vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

XT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.61%, 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%
XT iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF	6.61%	7.95%	0.66%	0.41%	0.78%	0.84%	0.77%	1.55%	1.40%	0.97%	1.37%	1.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XT and ACWI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, XT 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, XT or ACWI?

XT has higher volatility (4.85%) compared to ACWI (3.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XT dropped -34.41% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

Which ETF is better, XT or ACWI?

On 10-year performance, XT leads with 14.70% vs 12.85% for ACWI. On fees, ACWI is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, ACWI has been the lower-risk option at 3.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XT or ACWI?

Over the 10-year period, XT has performed better with a 14.70% return vs 12.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XT or ACWI?

ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for XT.

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

XT has the higher dividend yield at 6.61%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.

What is the main difference between XT and ACWI?

XT is categorized as Technology Equities, while ACWI is Global Equities. XT tracks Morningstar Exponential Technologies Index (Net), while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for XT and 0.32% for ACWI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.89 vs 2.29), 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.