Dividend comparison
ACWI vs VTWAX: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares MSCI ACWI ETF and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
ACWI vs VTWAX: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Income. Their trailing yields are almost the same: 1.41% for ACWI and 1.50% for VTWAX. ACWI pays semi-annual, VTWAX pays quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, ACWI returned 62.7% versus 60.5% for VTWAX, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $16,266 in ACWI and $16,049 in VTWAX.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -26.4% for ACWI and -26.4% for VTWAX from peak to trough.
- Diversification. ACWI holds 2,196 positions and VTWAX holds 100.
- Dividend growth. VTWAX grew its yearly payout 7.2% a year over the last 4 years, versus 6.0% for ACWI.
Bottom line: ACWI fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification. VTWAX fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 1.41% | 1.50% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $2.25 | $0.84 |
| Payout frequency | Semi-annual | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $1.0097 on Jun 18, 2026 | $0.1405 on Sep 21, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Jun 15, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 6.0% over 4 yrs | 7.2% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $158.77 | $55.85 |
| Dividend growth streak | 4 years | — |
| Beta | 0.93 | 0.93 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -26.4% | -26.4% |
| Market cap | $32.62B | $101.18B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| Expense ratio | 0.32% | — |
| Assets under management | $32.83B | — |
| Number of holdings | 2196 | 100 |
| Top 10 concentration | — | 22.3% |
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
VTWAX
$12.52/mo
$150 /yr at 1.50% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. ACWI pays semi-annual; VTWAX pays quarterly.
| Year | ACWI | VTWAX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.1965 | $0.8983 |
| 2024 | $2.0016 | $0.8014 |
| 2023 | $1.9153 | $0.7490 |
| 2022 | $1.5946 | $0.6610 |
| 2021 | $1.7412 | $0.6810 |
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 $16,049 in VTWAX.
| Period | ACWI | VTWAX |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -0.33% | -0.57% |
| 3 months | 2.43% | 1.90% |
| Year to date | 12.21% | 11.81% |
| 1 year | 13.39% | 13.13% |
| 3 years | 81.74% | 80.39% |
| 5 years | 62.66% | 60.49% |
- ACWI
- VTWAX
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
- VTWAX
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
Quick verdict
ACWI fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and broader diversification. VTWAX fits better if you care most about faster dividend growth. 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 VTWAX fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is ACWI or VTWAX better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. ACWI currently yields 1.41% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while VTWAX yields 1.50%. 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 VTWAX?
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) is an ETF listed on NASDAQ. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which has performed better, ACWI or VTWAX?
Over the last 5 years, ACWI has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: ACWI returned 62.7% and VTWAX returned 60.5%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, ACWI or VTWAX?
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 VTWAX as much as 26.4%. Their betas are 0.93 and 0.93.
How often do ACWI and VTWAX pay dividends?
ACWI pays semi-annual and VTWAX pays quarterly.
How much income does $10,000 in ACWI vs VTWAX generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in ACWI would generate roughly $11.78 per month ($141 annually). The same amount in VTWAX would produce about $12.52 per month ($150 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both ACWI and VTWAX?
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 VTWAX with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how ACWI and VTWAX 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.