ACWI vs VYM
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ACWI or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ACWI led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. ACWI is less concentrated, with 24.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ACWI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $33.0B | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.40% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 2,280 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +13.52%Best | +10.69% |
| 1Y Return | +17.22%Best | +14.36% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.81%Best | +18.66% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.37% | +11.40%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.3% | -53.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,133 | $17,156Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 24.5%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2008 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 28, 2008 to Oct 7, 2026 (18.5 years).
ACWI vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 18.5 years both funds cover.
ACWI vs VYM Performance
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ACWI returned +17.22% while VYM returned +14.36%. Year to date, ACWI is up 13.52% versus a gain of 10.69% for VYM.
Over three years, ACWI compounded at +21.81% per year against +18.66% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.37% and +11.40% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.72% annualized vs +7.00%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ACWI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 14.8% for VYM. 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 -53.6% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. 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 VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $4 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACWI currently yields 1.40% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
21.4% of ACWI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 89.4% of VYM's money is in holdings ACWI also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside ACWI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
234 positions in common, counted across the 2,140 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 557 in VYM, against full books of 2,280 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 297 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ACWI (9.2% of the fund), and 283 for ACWI that do not appear in VYM (43.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ACWI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.58% | 7.35% | 5.77% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.91% | 3.82% | 2.91% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.66% | 2.63% | 1.97% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.62% | 2.51% | 1.89% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.43% | 1.86% | 1.43% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.44% | 1.80% | 1.36% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.39% | 1.66% | 1.27% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.38% | 1.48% | 1.10% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.36% | 1.50% | 1.14% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.33% | 1.52% | 1.19% |
89.4% of VYM is already inside ACWI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ACWI or VYM?
ACWI has an expense ratio of 0.32% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACWI or VYM?
Over the past year ACWI returned +17.22% vs +14.36% for VYM, so ACWI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), ACWI annualized +7.00% vs +7.72% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACWI or VYM?
ACWI has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 14.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ACWI -56.3% vs VYM -53.6%.
Should I hold both ACWI and VYM?
ACWI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ACWI and VYM?
89.4% of VYM's money is in holdings ACWI also owns. 89.4% of VYM's is in holdings ACWI also owns. They hold 234 positions in common, counted across the 2,140 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACWI or VYM?
ACWI yields 1.40% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ACWI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ACWI led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. ACWI is less concentrated, with 24.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.