A side-by-side comparison of iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | ACWX | ESGD |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -1.14% | -0.43%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.61%✓ | -0.97% |
| 1-Week Change | -1.35%✓ | -1.56% |
| 1-Month Change | -2.19% | -3.21%✓ |
| Current Price | $75.16 | $102.05 |
| AUM | $16.41B✓ | $12.03B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.34% | 0.2%✓ |
| Dividend Yield | 2.46% | 3.22%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | NA |
| Inception Date | 2008-03-26 | 2016-06-28 |
| Holdings Count | 1810 | 330 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Foreign Large Blend | Foreign Large Blend |
| Beta | 0.91 | 0.88 |
| 52-Week High | $78.78 | $108.00 |
| 52-Week Low | $62.22 | $87.40 |
| 50-Day MA | $76.69 | $105.55 |
| 200-Day MA | $73.31 | $101.40 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ACWX | ESGD |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -1.14% | -0.43%✓ |
| 1 Year | +23.18%✓ | +18.36% |
| 3 Year | +20.73%✓ | +18.15% |
| 5 Year | +9.37%✓ | +8.67% |
| 10 Year | +9.21%✓ | +9.14% |
| 1Y Volatility | 14.49% | 12.76% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.18 | 1.01 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 5.18% |
| 2 | 005930 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2.55% |
| 3 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc | 1.96% |
| 4 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 1.91% |
| 5 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 0.93% |
| 6 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 0.93% |
| 7 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 0.81% |
| 8 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 0.75% |
| 9 | SHEL | Shell plc | 0.75% |
| 10 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 0.72% |
| 1 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 3.48% |
| 2 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 1.55% |
| 3 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 1.44% |
| 4 | SIE | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | 1.20% |
| 5 | SAP | SAP SE | 1.18% |
| 6 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 1.13% |
| 7 | ISP | Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 1.06% |
| 8 | SHEL | Shell plc | 1.06% |
| 9 | ABBN | ABB Ltd | 1.05% |
| 10 | ALV | Allianz SE VNA O.N. | 1.03% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ACWX | ESGD |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.72% | 4.97% |
| Communication Services | 4.86% | 4.47% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.03% | 6.52% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.83% | 6.46% |
| Energy | 4.84% | 4.13% |
| Financial Services | 24.92% | 27.35% |
| Healthcare | 6.85% | 9.80% |
| Industrials | 13.70% | 18.42% |
| Real Estate | 1.20% | 1.92% |
| Technology | 22.20% | 12.51% |
| Utilities | 2.86% | 3.45% |
About ACWX
The fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the underlying index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of the underlying index. The index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure the combined equity market performance of developed and emerging markets countries, excluding the United States.
About ESGD
The fund generally will invest at least 90% of its assets in the component securities of the underlying index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of the underlying index. The underlying index is composed of large- and mid-capitalization developed market equities, excluding the U.S. and Canada that have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics as identified by the index provider while exhibiting ri…
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ACWX and ESGD are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, ESGD scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ACWX and ESGD?
ACWX (iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF) and ESGD (iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($16.41B vs $12.03B), dividend yield (2.46% vs 3.22%), and year-to-date performance (-1.14% vs -0.43%).
Is ACWX better than ESGD?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ACWX and ESGD on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ACWX and ESGD should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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