MSCI World: IWDA vs SWRD
- Same index (MSCI World): near-identical holdings and performance.
- SWRD is cheaper (0.12% vs 0.20% a year); IWDA is larger and the most traded.
- Long term the lower fee on SWRD compounds; IWDA wins on liquidity and track record.
Shown in USD. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future results.
- Annual fee (TER)
- 0.20%
- 0.12%
- Tracks
- MSCI World
- MSCI World
- Distribution
- Accumulating
- Accumulating
- Domicile
- Ireland · UCITS
- Ireland · UCITS
- Risk
- Medium (3/5)
- Medium (3/5)
- Trades in
- LSE (USD)
- LSE (USD)
- Provider
- iShares
- SPDR
One fund that owns about 1,500 large companies across 23 wealthy countries: the US, Europe, Japan, Australia and others. The US still dominates at roughly 70% of the fund because American companies are by far the most valuable. A solid 'one and done' core for a long-term portfolio.
See full IWDA details →Exactly the same idea as the iShares developed-world fund above: about 1,500 companies across 23 wealthy countries, just from a different provider (SPDR) and with a cheaper fee. Fewer years of trading history because it only launched in 2019.
See full SWRD details →Both IWDA and SWRDare Irish-domiciled UCITS ETFs, so dividends from their US holdings are taxed at 15% under Ireland's US treaty, rather than the 30% that applies to US-domiciled funds for many non-US investors, and they sit outside US estate tax. Your own local tax still depends on where you live, so check your country's rules; for most investors the main ongoing cost to watch is each fund's annual fee.
Available on Interactive Brokers
Buy IWDA, SWRD and thousands of other UCITS ETFs on Interactive Brokers.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, IWDA.L or SWRD.L?
SWRD.L is cheaper. IWDA.L charges 0.20% per year and SWRD.L charges 0.12%. Both are inexpensive index funds, but a lower fee compounds in your favour over the long run.
Are IWDA.L and SWRD.L accumulating or distributing?
IWDA.L is accumulating, so dividends are reinvested automatically inside the fund. SWRD.L is accumulating, so dividends are reinvested automatically inside the fund. Accumulating funds suit investors who want hands-off compounding with no cash dividends to reinvest manually.
Are IWDA.L and SWRD.L both UCITS ETFs?
Yes, both are UCITS ETFs (IWDA.L domiciled in Ireland, SWRD.L in Ireland), so both give non-US investors the 15% US dividend withholding rate and sit outside US estate tax, unlike US-domiciled ETFs.