SWDA vs XDWD: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF (Acc) against Xtrackers MSCI World UCITS ETF 1C, over the same 12 years (September 2014 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From September 2014 to October 2026, SWDA returned 12.2% a year and XDWD 12.3% a year on average, so XDWD came out ahead by 0.1% a year. SWDA was the more volatile of the two (13.4% against 13.3% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 18.6% for SWDA and 18.7% for XDWD.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.98: they moved almost in lockstep. Over 110 rolling 3-year periods, SWDA did better in 55% and XDWD in 45%.
Side by side
| SWDA | XDWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +12.2% | +12.3% |
| Total return | +302% | +306% |
| Annual volatility | 13.4% | 13.3% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −18.6% | −18.7% |
| Worst month | −10.6% | −11.0% |
| Best month | +10.2% | +10.1% |
| Positive months | 63% | 66% |
| Best year | 2021: +32.9% | 2021: +32.7% |
| Worst year | 2022: −13.9% | 2022: −13.7% |
| 1-year return | +21.4% | +19.3% |
| 5 years, a year | +11.9% | +11.9% |
| 10 years, a year | +12.8% | +12.8% |
| Trading currency | EUR | EUR |
First nine rows: the same 145 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: SWDA vs XDWD
Returns by calendar year
| Year | SWDA | XDWD |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +7.6% | +7.8% |
| 2024 | +27.0% | +26.0% |
| 2023 | +19.8% | +20.2% |
| 2022 | −13.9% | −13.7% |
| 2021 | +32.9% | +32.7% |
| 2020 | +6.2% | +5.5% |
| 2019 | +30.8% | +31.3% |
| 2018 | −5.0% | −4.9% |
| 2017 | +7.8% | +7.8% |
| 2016 | +10.2% | +10.5% |
| 2015 | +11.3% | +10.5% |
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 XDWD?
From September 2014 to October 2026, SWDA returned +12.2% a year and XDWD +12.3% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods SWDA did better in 55% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, SWDA or XDWD?
Over the same months annual volatility was 13.4% for SWDA and 13.3% for XDWD; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 18.6% and 18.7%, and the worst single month −10.6% and −11.0%.
How correlated are SWDA and XDWD?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.98: they moved almost in lockstep. Holding both adds little diversification compared with holding one.
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.