A side-by-side comparison of iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (ACWX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF Shares (VXUS) 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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -3.18%✓ | -3.62% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.69% | -0.67%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.46% | +0.50%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -2.05% | -2.11%✓ |
| Current Price | $73.61 | $82.66 |
| AUM | $17.49B | $161.41B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.33% | 0.05%✓ |
| Dividend Yield | 2.53%✓ | 2.35% |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2008-03-26 | 2011-01-26 |
| Holdings Count | 1796 | 8416 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | International Developed Equity (ex-US) | International Developed Equity (ex-US) |
| Beta | 0.92 | 0.93 |
| 52-Week High | $78.78 | $88.46 |
| 52-Week Low | $62.31 | $70.29 |
| 50-Day MA | $75.58 | $85.00 |
| 200-Day MA | $74.20 | $83.51 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ACWX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -3.18%✓ | -3.62% |
| 1 Year | +12.02% | +12.60%✓ |
| 3 Year | +17.51% | +18.55%✓ |
| 5 Year | +7.55% | +7.76%✓ |
| 10 Year | +9.34%✓ | +8.81% |
| 1Y Volatility | 15.31% | 15.84% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.22 | 1.27 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 4.66% |
| 2 | 005930 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 1.78% |
| 3 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 1.63% |
| 4 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc | 1.35% |
| 5 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 0.92% |
| 6 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 0.91% |
| 7 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 0.82% |
| 8 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 0.82% |
| 9 | SHEL | Shell plc | 0.80% |
| 10 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 0.82% |
| 1 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 4.14% |
| 2 | SSNLF | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2.00% |
| 3 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc | 1.74% |
| 4 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 1.59% |
| 5 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 0.79% |
| 6 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 0.78% |
| 7 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 0.68% |
| 8 | SHEL | Shell plc | 0.62% |
| 9 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 0.59% |
| 10 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 0.58% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ACWX | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.27% | 7.08% |
| Communication Services | 4.91% | 4.44% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.66% | 7.40% |
| Consumer Defensive | 5.50% | 4.81% |
| Energy | 5.04% | 4.64% |
| Financial Services | 25.97% | 23.34% |
| Healthcare | 7.82% | 6.76% |
| Industrials | 13.68% | 14.57% |
| Real Estate | 1.26% | 2.18% |
| Technology | 18.69% | 22.12% |
| Utilities | 2.97% | 2.80% |
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 VXUS
The manager employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, a float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index designed to measure equity market performance of companies located in developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. The fund invests all, or substantially all, of its assets in the common stocks included in its target index.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ACWX and VXUS 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, ACWX 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 VXUS?
ACWX (iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF Shares) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($17.49B vs $161.41B), dividend yield (2.53% vs 2.35%), and year-to-date performance (-3.18% vs -3.62%).
Is ACWX better than VXUS?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ACWX has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ACWX and VXUS on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ACWX and VXUS should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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