ACWI vs VOO
ACWI vs VOO
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Quick Verdict
VOO has a lower expense ratio. ACWI delivered stronger 1-year returns. ACWI offers more diversification with 1314 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ACWI | VOO | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.03% | |
| AUM | $32.1B | $979.0B | |
| Dividend Yield | 1.43% | 1.09% | |
| Holdings | 2,280 | 509 | |
| YTD Return | +13.37% | +13.31% | |
| 1Y Return | +25.54% | +24.01% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.85% | +21.17% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.00% | +13.34% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 14.1% | |
| Max Drawdown | -56.3% | -34.3% | |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2008 | Sep 7, 2010 |
ACWI vs VOO Performance
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) is a ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ACWI returned +25.54% while VOO returned +24.01%. Year to date, ACWI is up 13.37% versus a gain of 13.31% for VOO.
Over three years, ACWI compounded at +19.85% per year against +21.17% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +11.00% and +13.34% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.55% annualized vs +7.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ACWI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 14.1% for VOO. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -56.3% for ACWI and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACWI charges 0.32% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $3 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACWI currently yields 1.43% against 1.09% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
ACWI and VOO share 379 holdings out of 1440 unique holdings combined, representing a 58.1% weight overlap.
High overlap means holding both may not provide much additional diversification.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ACWI | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | 4.40% | 7.51% | 3.11% |
| AAPL | 4.47% | 6.59% | 2.12% |
| MSFT | 2.66% | 4.30% | 1.64% |
| AMZN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOGL | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MU | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| TSLA | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings ACWI shares with VOO Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ACWI or VOO?
ACWI has an expense ratio of 0.32% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $29 per year of difference.
Which performed better, ACWI or VOO?
Over the past year ACWI returned +25.54% vs +24.01% for VOO, so ACWI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), ACWI annualized +7.06% vs +13.55% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, ACWI or VOO?
ACWI has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: ACWI -56.3% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both ACWI and VOO?
ACWI and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.
What is the holdings overlap between ACWI and VOO?
ACWI and VOO share 379 common holdings with a 58.1% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 1440 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACWI or VOO?
ACWI yields 1.43% while VOO yields 1.09%, so ACWI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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