AGD vs DWLD
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund vs Davis Select Worldwide ETF
Which is better, AGD or DWLD?
Each has led over a different period.
DWLD has a lower expense ratio. AGD led over 1Y and 3Y, DWLD over 5Y and the full window. DWLD is less concentrated, with 26.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 27.7%.
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 | AGD | DWLD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.35% | 0.63%Best |
| AUM | $313M | $579M |
| Dividend Yield | 12.36% | 0.94% |
| Holdings | 89 | 40 |
| YTD Return | +4.34%Best | -4.08% |
| 1Y Return | +12.13%Best | +2.46% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.49%Best | +18.75% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.73% | +9.10%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.5% | 18.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.4% | -39.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,197 | $15,457Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.7% | 26.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Davis ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 26, 2006 | Jan 11, 2017 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 12, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (9.8 years).
AGD vs DWLD 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 9.8 years both funds cover.
AGD vs DWLD Performance
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund (AGD) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Davis Select Worldwide ETF (DWLD) is an ETF from Davis ETFs. Over the past year AGD returned +12.13% while DWLD returned +2.46%. Year to date, AGD is up 4.34% versus a loss of 4.08% for DWLD.
Over three years, AGD compounded at +21.49% per year against +18.75% for DWLD; over five years the annualized figures are +8.73% and +9.10% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, DWLD has the edge at +9.90% annualized vs +7.67%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AGD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 18.6% for DWLD. 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 -48.4% for AGD and -39.3% for DWLD. 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
AGD charges 1.35% per year while DWLD charges 0.63%. On a $10,000 position that is $135 vs $63 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AGD currently yields 12.36% against 0.94% for DWLD.
Holdings Overlap
71.5% of AGD's money is in holdings DWLD also owns. 26.3% of DWLD's money is in holdings AGD also owns.
Most of AGD is already inside DWLD. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, AGD as of Jul 31, 2026 and DWLD as of Oct 1, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
60 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 1,395 in DWLD, against full books of 89 and 40.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 429 positions for DWLD that do not appear in our book for AGD (44.4% of the fund), and 7 for AGD that do not appear in DWLD (6.3%).
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 AGD | Weight in DWLD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 3.14% | 5.00% | 1.86% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.49% | 5.65% | 3.16% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.04% | 4.00% | 0.96% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.43% | 1.67% | 1.76% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.35% | 1.67% | 1.68% |
| 005935:KRSamsung Electronics Pref 0.9 | 3.48% | 0.13% | 3.35% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.58% | 0.94% | 0.64% |
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 1.60% | 0.73% | 0.87% |
| INGA:ASING Groep N.V. | 1.75% | 0.11% | 1.64% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.36% | 0.37% | 0.99% |
71.5% of AGD is already inside DWLD.
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, AGD or DWLD?
AGD has an expense ratio of 1.35% while DWLD charges 0.63%. DWLD is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AGD or DWLD?
Over the past year AGD returned +12.13% vs +2.46% for DWLD, so AGD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), AGD annualized +7.67% vs +9.90% for DWLD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AGD or DWLD?
AGD has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 18.6% for DWLD. Worst drawdown: AGD -48.4% vs DWLD -39.3%.
Should I hold both AGD and DWLD?
AGD and DWLD 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 AGD and DWLD?
71.5% of AGD's money is in holdings DWLD also owns. 26.3% of DWLD's is in holdings AGD also owns. They hold 60 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 1,395 in DWLD.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGD or DWLD?
AGD yields 12.36% while DWLD yields 0.94%, so AGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is DWLD better than AGD?
DWLD has a lower expense ratio. AGD led over 1Y and 3Y, DWLD over 5Y and the full window. DWLD is less concentrated, with 26.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 27.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.