Dividend comparison
ACWI vs SPGM: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares MSCI ACWI ETF and State Street SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
ACWI vs SPGM: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SPGM is cheaper at 0.09% a year versus 0.32% for ACWI. On $10,000 that is $23 a year less in fees.
- Income. SPGM pays more income, yielding 1.78% over the last twelve months versus 1.41% for ACWI. That is about $37 more a year on $10,000. Both pay semi-annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, SPGM returned 66.8% versus 62.7% for ACWI, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $16,684 in SPGM and $16,266 in ACWI.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -26.4% for ACWI and -25.9% for SPGM from peak to trough.
- Diversification. SPGM holds 2,865 positions and ACWI holds 2,196.
- Dividend growth. SPGM grew its yearly payout 6.6% a year over the last 4 years, versus 6.0% for ACWI.
- Size. ACWI is the larger fund with $32.8 billion in assets, against $1.8 billion for SPGM.
Bottom line: SPGM has the edge on these figures, with lower fees, more income today and stronger 5-year returns. ACWI does not lead on any of the measures compared here.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | SPGM State Street SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 1.41% | 1.78% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $2.25 | $1.54 |
| Payout frequency | Semi-annual | Semi-annual |
| Last dividend | $1.0097 on Jun 18, 2026 | $0.6675 on Jun 5, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Jun 15, 2026 | Jun 1, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 6.0% over 4 yrs | 6.6% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $158.77 | $86.34 |
| Dividend growth streak | 4 years | 3 years |
| Beta | 0.93 | 0.93 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -26.4% | -25.9% |
| Market cap | $32.62B | $1.80B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.32% | 0.09% |
| Assets under management | $32.83B | $1.81B |
| Number of holdings | 2196 | 2865 |
| Top 10 concentration | — | 22.2% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
ACWI
$11.78/mo
$141 /yr at 1.41% yield
SPGM
$14.87/mo
$178 /yr at 1.78% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. ACWI pays semi-annual; SPGM pays semi-annual.
| Year | ACWI | SPGM |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.1965 | $1.4487 |
| 2024 | $2.0016 | $1.2563 |
| 2023 | $1.9153 | $1.1570 |
| 2022 | $1.5946 | $1.1053 |
| 2021 | $1.7412 | $1.1210 |
Strategy: Broad index
Low-cost funds that hold an entire market or index at market-cap weights and make no attempt to select securities. Return is the index return less a small fee, and dividends are a by-product of what the underlying companies choose to pay rather than an objective of the strategy. Differences between funds tracking the same index usually come down to fee, wrapper structure, share price and trading liquidity, not to holdings.
Current income is low and outside your control, so these need pairing with something else if the portfolio has to produce cash today.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $16,266 in ACWI and $16,684 in SPGM.
| Period | ACWI | SPGM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -0.33% | -0.60% |
| 3 months | 2.43% | 2.44% |
| Year to date | 12.21% | 13.43% |
| 1 year | 13.39% | 15.89% |
| 3 years | 81.74% | 86.44% |
| 5 years | 62.66% | 66.84% |
- ACWI
- SPGM
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- ACWI
- SPGM
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
Quick verdict
SPGM has the edge on these figures, with lower fees, more income today and stronger 5-year returns. ACWI does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how ACWI vs SPGM fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is ACWI or SPGM better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. ACWI currently yields 1.41% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SPGM yields 1.78%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between ACWI and SPGM?
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. State Street SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF (SPGM) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, ACWI or SPGM?
SPGM has the lower expense ratio. ACWI charges 0.32% a year and SPGM charges 0.09%, a difference of $23 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, ACWI or SPGM?
Over the last 5 years, SPGM has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: ACWI returned 62.7% and SPGM returned 66.8%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, ACWI or SPGM?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, ACWI has been riskier: ACWI fell as much as 26.4% and SPGM as much as 25.9%. Their betas are 0.93 and 0.93.
How often do ACWI and SPGM pay dividends?
Both pay semi-annual. The most recent payments were $1.0097 for ACWI and $0.6675 for SPGM.
How much income does $10,000 in ACWI vs SPGM generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in ACWI would generate roughly $11.78 per month ($141 annually). The same amount in SPGM would produce about $14.87 per month ($178 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both ACWI and SPGM?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare ACWI vs SPGM with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how ACWI and SPGM fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.