SWDA vs VT: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (Acc) against Vanguard Total World Stock ETF, over the same 6 years (July 2020 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From July 2020 to October 2026, SWDA returned 15.4% a year and VT 14.6% a year on average, so SWDA came out ahead by 0.8% a year. VT was the more volatile of the two (14.7% against 13.1% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 14.4% for SWDA and 25.5% for VT.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.72: they usually moved together. Over 41 rolling 3-year periods, SWDA did better in 54% and VT in 46%.
SWDA trades in EUR and VT in USD: each return is in its own currency, so part of the gap reflects the move of the euro against the dollar.
Side by side
| SWDA | VT | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +15.4% | +14.6% |
| Total return | +148% | +137% |
| Annual volatility | 13.1% | 14.7% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −14.4% | −25.5% |
| Worst month | −7.9% | −9.5% |
| Best month | +10.2% | +12.4% |
| Positive months | 62% | 63% |
| Best year | 2021: +32.9% | 2025: +22.4% |
| Worst year | 2022: −13.9% | 2022: −18.0% |
| 1-year return | +21.4% | +15.7% |
| 5 years, a year | +11.9% | +10.3% |
| 10 years, a year | +12.8% | — |
| Trading currency | EUR | USD |
First nine rows: the same 76 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: SWDA vs VT
Returns by calendar year
| Year | SWDA | VT |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +7.6% | +22.4% |
| 2024 | +27.0% | +16.5% |
| 2023 | +19.8% | +22.0% |
| 2022 | −13.9% | −18.0% |
| 2021 | +32.9% | +18.3% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, SWDA or VT?
From July 2020 to October 2026, SWDA returned +15.4% a year and VT +14.6% a year, with dividends reinvested, each in its own trading currency (EUR and USD). Over rolling 3-year periods SWDA did better in 54% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, SWDA or VT?
Over the same months annual volatility was 13.1% for SWDA and 14.7% for VT; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 14.4% and 25.5%, and the worst single month −7.9% and −9.5%.
How correlated are SWDA and VT?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.72: they usually moved together. Combining them has historically given some diversification.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.