VWCE vs ACWI: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF (Acc) against iShares MSCI ACWI ETF, over the same 7 years (August 2019 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From August 2019 to October 2026, VWCE returned 12.8% a year and ACWI 13.0% a year on average, so ACWI came out ahead by 0.3% a year. ACWI was the more volatile of the two (15.6% against 13.1% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 19.1% for VWCE and 25.7% for ACWI.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.82: they usually moved together. Over 52 rolling 3-year periods, VWCE did better in 60% and ACWI in 40%.
VWCE trades in EUR and ACWI 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
| VWCE | ACWI | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +12.8% | +13.0% |
| Total return | +139% | +143% |
| Annual volatility | 13.1% | 15.6% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −19.1% | −25.7% |
| Worst month | −11.3% | −13.4% |
| Best month | +9.4% | +11.8% |
| Positive months | 63% | 66% |
| Best year | 2021: +28.6% | 2025: +22.4% |
| Worst year | 2022: −13.5% | 2022: −18.4% |
| 1-year return | +22.0% | +15.1% |
| 5 years, a year | +11.5% | +10.6% |
| 10 years, a year | — | +12.6% |
| Trading currency | EUR | USD |
First nine rows: the same 87 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: VWCE vs ACWI
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VWCE | ACWI |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +9.2% | +22.4% |
| 2024 | +24.4% | +17.4% |
| 2023 | +18.2% | +22.3% |
| 2022 | −13.5% | −18.4% |
| 2021 | +28.6% | +18.7% |
| 2020 | +5.4% | +16.3% |
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, VWCE or ACWI?
From August 2019 to October 2026, VWCE returned +12.8% a year and ACWI +13.0% a year, with dividends reinvested, each in its own trading currency (EUR and USD). Over rolling 3-year periods VWCE did better in 60% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VWCE or ACWI?
Over the same months annual volatility was 13.1% for VWCE and 15.6% for ACWI; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 19.1% and 25.7%, and the worst single month −11.3% and −13.4%.
How correlated are VWCE and ACWI?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.82: 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.