Skip to content

Global ESG

Invest according to your values

SimpleLong termESGTOB 0.12%

Global exposure — developed and emerging markets — with an ESG filter that excludes controversial companies (weapons, tobacco, thermal coal). Historical performance close to the unfiltered global market.

Key facts

TOB0.12%on purchase and sale
Weighted average TER0.25%annual management fees
Securities (~)~1 800companies worldwide
Historical return~10.7% / yr2016–2025
Reynders taxNot applicable
DividendsAuto-reinvested

Fund return (net of ongoing charges) over calendar years 2016–2025, in euros. Note: the ETF has only tracked the MSCI ACWI Select Screened index since 20 October 2021 — before that it tracked the standard MSCI ACWI, with no ESG filter. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Portfolio composition

XMAW100%Acc.

Xtrackers MSCI AC World Screened UCITS ETF 1C

ISIN: IE00BGHQ0G80

Average yearly return

Index · EUR · gross · past performance
1 yr
+7.7%
3 yrs
+17.4%
5 yrs
+12.1%
10 yrs
+10.7%

Source: Xtrackers MSCI AC World Screened ETF (EUR, calendar-year fund returns, net of fees). Annualized returns to end-2025, EUR, gross of Belgian taxes (TOB, précompte mobilier, CGT) and ETF fees (TER). Past performance does not guarantee future results.

* Exception: these figures are the ETF's actual returns, so already net of the TER (not index returns gross of fees).

Why this strategy?

  • 1ESG Screened exclusions: the MSCI ACWI Select Screened index excludes controversial and nuclear weapons, tobacco, thermal coal and oil sands, companies rated CCC by MSCI and those in breach of the UN Global Compact principles.
  • 2Full global coverage: around 1,800 companies from developed (23 countries) and emerging (24 countries) markets — diversification stays very close to the standard MSCI ACWI despite the filter.
  • 30.12% TOB and accumulating fund: Irish accumulating ETF — no withholding tax on dividends and a reduced 0.12% TOB.
  • 4"Screened" vs "SRI" approach: XMAW applies an exclusion filter (major controversies, coal, carbon intensity cut by at least 30%) rather than picking ESG best-in-class — diversification stays broad. The trade-off: a 0.25% TER, 0.05 points more than a classic world ETF.

Alternatives & comparisons

SUSW

iShares MSCI World SRI UCITS ETF EUR (Acc)

TER 0.20%TOB 0.12%Acc.

Advantages

  • +Stricter SRI criteria (best ESG scores, fossil fuels excluded)
  • +0.20% TER, lower than XMAW
  • +0.12% TOB and accumulating fund

Disadvantages

  • Much smaller investment universe (~370 holdings, developed markets only)
  • No exposure to emerging markets
  • Performance may deviate significantly from the global market
Verdict : For investors desiring more demanding ESG criteria, at the cost of less diversification.
SNAW

iShares MSCI World Screened UCITS ETF USD (Acc)

TER 0.20%TOB 0.12%Acc.

Advantages

  • +0.20% TER, cheaper than XMAW (0.25%)
  • +Comparable exclusions (MSCI World Screened index)
  • +Large fund (over €5bn) with physical replication

Disadvantages

  • Developed markets only — no emerging markets
  • About 1,175 holdings versus ~1,800 for XMAW
  • Shorter track record (launched October 2018)
Verdict : The best choice if you want the same exclusion filter for 0.05 points less TER and don't mind skipping emerging markets.
IWDA

iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ETF Acc

TER 0.20%TOB 0.12%Acc.

Advantages

  • +Higher liquidity (~€129bn AUM)
  • +No ESG selection constraints

Disadvantages

  • No ESG filter — includes all industries
  • No emerging markets exposure, unlike XMAW
Verdict : If ESG criteria are secondary for you, IWDA offers maximum liquidity at a lower TER (0.20% versus 0.25%).

Tax disclaimer

0.12% TOB on purchase and sale. 10% capital gains tax on annual net gains exceeding the €10,000 exemption — only the excess above this threshold is taxed at 10%. The unused portion of the exemption can be carried forward (maximum €1,000 per year over 5 years), allowing to reach an exemption ceiling of €15,000 in a given year. Accumulating funds: no annual withholding tax on automatically reinvested dividends. Rates used are indicative — past performance does not guarantee future results.