ACWI — iShares MSCI ACWI ETF
iShares (BlackRock) · Expense Ratio: 0.32% · Global/All-World · 13bp above the Global/All-World category average of 0.19%
Key Facts
| Ticker | ACWI |
| Full Name | iShares MSCI ACWI ETF |
| Provider | iShares (BlackRock) |
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% |
| Category | Global/All-World |
| Assets Under Management | $20B |
| Inception Year | 2008 (18 years ago) |
| Number of Holdings | 2,300 |
| Dividend Yield | ~1.6% (moderate) |
| Top Holdings | AAPL, MSFT, NVDA, TSM |
What Is ACWI?
ACWI, managed by iShares (BlackRock), launched in 2008, is a major ETF with deep liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads in the Global/All-World category. Global all-world stock ETF providing exposure to both US and international markets. With $20B in assets under management, it benefits from deep institutional liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads.
ACWI in a FIRE Portfolio
Total world coverage at 0.32% — the ultimate single-fund core for FIRE investors who want geographic diversification without managing multiple holdings.
A core holding should make up 50-80% of your equity allocation in a FIRE portfolio. ACWI already includes both US and international stocks — you could hold this as your entire equity allocation, making it the simplest possible FIRE portfolio.
Cost Analysis: How ACWI's 0.32% Fee Affects Your FIRE Timeline
At 0.32%, ACWI is relatively expensive. Annual cost on a $100K position: $320. Over 30 years, fees could consume approximately 1.9% of total returns. On a $1M FIRE portfolio, cumulative fees approach $32,000. Compare with lower-cost peers in Global/All-World: .
Dividend Income Potential
With a moderate dividend yield of approximately 1.6%, here's what ACWI could generate in annual income at different portfolio sizes:
| Portfolio Value | Annual Dividend Income | Monthly Income |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $1,600/year | $133/month |
| $250,000 | $4,000/year | $333/month |
| $500,000 | $8,000/year | $667/month |
| $1,000,000 | $16,000/year | $1,333/month |
Frequently Asked Questions About ACWI
What is the expense ratio for ACWI?
ACWI has an expense ratio of 0.32%. This is relatively expensive — on a $100K portfolio, annual fees are $320. 13bp above the global/all-world category average of 0.19%.
Is ACWI good for a FIRE portfolio?
Total world coverage at 0.32% — the ultimate single-fund core for FIRE investors who want geographic diversification without managing multiple holdings. Its 0.32% expense ratio is relatively expensive for the Global/All-World category.
How does the 0.32% fee affect long-term returns?
At 0.32%, annual costs are $320/$100K. Over 30 years, this could reduce your final portfolio value by 1.9% or more. For a $1M FIRE portfolio, that's $19,200+ in lost compound growth.
Similar ETFs in Global/All-World
- VT — Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (0.07% · Core Holding)
- SPGM — SPDR Portfolio MSCI Global Stock Market ETF (0.09% · Core Holding)
- URTH — iShares MSCI World ETF (0.24% · Core Holding)
- AVGE — Avantis All Equity Markets ETF (0.25% · Core Holding)