A side-by-side comparison of iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) 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 | BDVL | ACWI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +1.41% | +1.88%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.21%✓ | -0.02% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.55%✓ | -0.84% |
| 1-Month Change | -1.72% | -0.43%✓ |
| Current Price | $26.17 | $158.74 |
| AUM | $1.75B | $33.29B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.4% | 0.32%✓ |
| Dividend Yield | — | 1.40% |
| Distribution Frequency | — | NA |
| Inception Date | 2017-06-01 | 2008-03-26 |
| Holdings Count | 497 | 2140 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Global Large-Stock Blend | Global Large-Stock Blend |
| Beta | 0.62 | 0.97 |
| 52-Week High | $27.02 | $162.80 |
| 52-Week Low | $23.66 | $132.79 |
| 50-Day MA | $26.50 | $159.49 |
| 200-Day MA | $25.74 | $151.15 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | BDVL | ACWI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +1.41% | +1.88%✓ |
| 1 Year | +10.88% | +19.68%✓ |
| 3 Year | +14.71% | +21.92%✓ |
| 5 Year | +8.00% | +11.29%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | +12.61% |
| 1Y Volatility | 8.78% | 12.98% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.04 | 1.24 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | INDA | iShares MSCI India ETF | 2.51% |
| 2 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 1.65% |
| 3 | MA | Mastercard Inc | 1.45% |
| 4 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 1.41% |
| 5 | INTC | Intel Corporation | 1.30% |
| 6 | SO | Southern Company | 1.28% |
| 7 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc Class C | 1.23% |
| 8 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 1.21% |
| 9 | COST | Costco Wholesale Corp | 1.15% |
| 10 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 1.11% |
| 1 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 5.06% |
| 2 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | 4.69% |
| 3 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 3.48% |
| 4 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 2.31% |
| 5 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 1.94% |
| 6 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 1.85% |
| 7 | META | Meta Platforms Inc. | 1.57% |
| 8 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 1.56% |
| 9 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc Class C | 1.53% |
| 10 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 1.17% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | BDVL | ACWI |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 2.20% | 3.45% |
| Communication Services | 8.18% | 8.03% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 8.13% | 8.21% |
| Consumer Defensive | 6.57% | 4.51% |
| Energy | 2.86% | 3.99% |
| Financial Services | 14.14% | 16.06% |
| Healthcare | 10.94% | 8.41% |
| Industrials | 16.18% | 10.03% |
| Real Estate | 1.03% | 1.49% |
| Technology | 25.91% | 33.63% |
| Utilities | 3.86% | 2.19% |
About BDVL
The fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities. It seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in both equity and fixed-income securities, including money market securities and other short-term securities or instruments that the fund management team believes may offer attractive risk-adjusted returns. Equity securities include common stock, preferred stock, ADRs, or securities or other ins…
About ACWI
The fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its underlying index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of its 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.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both BDVL and ACWI 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, ACWI 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 BDVL and ACWI?
BDVL (iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.75B vs $33.29B), dividend yield (N/A vs 1.40%), and year-to-date performance (+1.41% vs +1.88%).
Is BDVL better than ACWI?
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 BDVL and ACWI on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both BDVL and ACWI should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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