ACWI vs FDLS
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF vs Inspire Fidelis Multi Factor ETF
Which is better, ACWI or FDLS?
Each has led over a different period.
ACWI has a lower expense ratio. ACWI led over 3Y and the full window, FDLS over 1Y. FDLS is less concentrated, with 11.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.3%.
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 | FDLS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32%Best | 0.66% |
| AUM | $33.2B | $259M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.41% | 0.86% |
| Holdings | 2,280 | 203 |
| YTD Return | +12.14% | +15.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.07% | +21.43%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.96%Best | +19.89% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.83% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 18.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.6%Best | -23.3% |
| $10,000 over 4.1 years | $18,757Best | $18,093 |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.3% | 11.4%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Inspire ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2008 | Aug 23, 2022 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 24, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.1 years).
ACWI vs FDLS 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 4.1 years both funds cover.
ACWI vs FDLS Performance
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Inspire Fidelis Multi Factor ETF (FDLS) is an ETF from Inspire ETFs. Over the past year ACWI returned +17.07% while FDLS returned +21.43%. Year to date, ACWI is up 12.14% versus a gain of 15.94% for FDLS.
Over three years, ACWI compounded at +20.96% per year against +19.89% for FDLS. Across the full 4-year window we track, ACWI has the edge at +16.58% annualized vs +15.56%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDLS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 13.6% for ACWI. 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 -16.6% for ACWI and -23.3% for FDLS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACWI charges 0.32% per year while FDLS charges 0.66%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $66 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACWI currently yields 1.41% against 0.86% for FDLS.
Holdings Overlap
2.3% of ACWI's money is in holdings FDLS also owns. 17.5% of FDLS's money is in holdings ACWI also owns.
FDLS and ACWI share little of their money.
18 positions in common, counted across the 2,139 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 101 in FDLS, against full books of 2,280 and 203.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 73 positions for FDLS that do not appear in our book for ACWI (72.5% of the fund), and 498 for ACWI that do not appear in FDLS (63.0%).
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 FDLS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.51% | 1.02% | 0.49% |
| SNDKVSandisk Corp. | 0.26% | 1.18% | 0.92% |
| TERTeradyne Inc - Common | 0.06% | 1.17% | 1.11% |
| ENTGEntegris Inc Common Stock Usd 0.01 | 0.02% | 1.17% | 1.15% |
| MCHPMicrochip Technology Inc. | 0.04% | 1.12% | 1.08% |
| NVT:IENvent Electric Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.02% | 1.07% | 1.05% |
| ATIAti Inc | 0.02% | 1.05% | 1.03% |
| VLOValero Energy | 0.12% | 0.94% | 0.82% |
| SMCISuper Micro Computer Inc Common Stock USD.001 | 0.02% | 1.04% | 1.02% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 0.07% | 0.96% | 0.89% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ACWI and FDLS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ACWI or FDLS?
ACWI has an expense ratio of 0.32% while FDLS charges 0.66%. ACWI is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACWI or FDLS?
Over the past year ACWI returned +17.07% vs +21.43% for FDLS, so FDLS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), ACWI annualized +16.58% vs +15.56% for FDLS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACWI or FDLS?
FDLS has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 13.6% for ACWI. Worst drawdown: ACWI -16.6% vs FDLS -23.3%.
Should I hold both ACWI and FDLS?
ACWI and FDLS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ACWI and FDLS?
17.5% of FDLS's money is in holdings ACWI also owns. 17.5% of FDLS's is in holdings ACWI also owns. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 2,139 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 101 in FDLS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACWI or FDLS?
ACWI yields 1.41% while FDLS yields 0.86%, so ACWI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is FDLS better than ACWI?
ACWI has a lower expense ratio. ACWI led over 3Y and the full window, FDLS over 1Y. FDLS is less concentrated, with 11.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.