ACWI vs NBXG
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF vs Neuberger Berman Next Generation Connectivity Fund Inc
Which is better, ACWI or NBXG?
Each has led over a different period.
ACWI has a lower expense ratio. ACWI led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, NBXG over 3Y.
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 | NBXG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32%Best | 1.30% |
| AUM | $33.2B | $1.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.41% | 7.97% |
| Holdings | 2,280 | 137 |
| YTD Return | +12.14% | +12.45%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.07%Best | +12.72% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.96% | +25.76%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.83%Best | +6.32% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 22.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -26.4%Best | -51.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,722Best | $13,585 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Neuberger Berman |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2008 | May 25, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.4 years).
ACWI vs NBXG 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 5.4 years both funds cover.
ACWI vs NBXG Performance
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Neuberger Berman Next Generation Connectivity Fund Inc (NBXG) is an ETF from Neuberger Berman. Over the past year ACWI returned +17.07% while NBXG returned +12.72%. Year to date, ACWI is up 12.14% versus a gain of 12.45% for NBXG.
Over three years, ACWI compounded at +20.96% per year against +25.76% for NBXG; over five years the annualized figures are +10.83% and +6.32% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NBXG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.3% compared with 14.4% 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 -26.4% for ACWI and -51.8% for NBXG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACWI charges 0.32% per year while NBXG charges 1.30%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $130 annually, a gap of $98 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACWI currently yields 1.41% against 7.97% for NBXG.
Holdings Overlap
At least 24.1% of ACWI's money is in holdings NBXG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for NBXG, our book for it covers 85.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
ACWI and NBXG share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, ACWI as of Oct 1, 2026 and NBXG as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
45 positions in common, counted across the 2,139 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 54 in NBXG, against full books of 2,280 and 137.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ACWI | Weight in NBXG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.71% | 6.00% | 1.29% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.15% | 4.48% | 0.67% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.33% | 5.41% | 3.08% |
| 2330:TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 1.88% | 3.83% | 1.95% |
| WDCWestern Digital Corp. | 0.16% | 5.14% | 4.98% |
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 0.72% | 3.36% | 2.64% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.51% | 2.29% | 0.78% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.55% | 1.82% | 0.27% |
| HOODRobinhood Markets Inc - A | 0.08% | 2.93% | 2.85% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.20% | 1.73% | 0.53% |
24.1% of ACWI is already inside NBXG.
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 NBXG?
ACWI has an expense ratio of 0.32% while NBXG charges 1.30%. ACWI is the cheaper option, by $98 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACWI or NBXG?
Over the past year ACWI returned +17.07% vs +12.72% for NBXG, so ACWI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACWI or NBXG?
NBXG has been the more volatile fund at 22.3% annualized versus 14.4% for ACWI. Worst drawdown: ACWI -26.4% vs NBXG -51.8%.
Should I hold both ACWI and NBXG?
ACWI and NBXG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 NBXG?
At least 24.1% of ACWI's money is in holdings NBXG also owns. Our book for NBXG is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 45 positions in common, counted across the 2,139 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 54 in NBXG.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACWI or NBXG?
ACWI yields 1.41% while NBXG yields 7.97%, so NBXG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NBXG better than ACWI?
ACWI has a lower expense ratio. ACWI led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, NBXG over 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.