iShares Core MSCI World ex Australia ESG Leaders ETF (IHWL) Review & Analysis
- −0.6% in September (total return), behind the median international shares ETF at +0.0%.
- Investors added a net $11m (1.0% of the fund).
- The unit price closed the month at $65.64, 3% below its 12-month high (range $56.17 to $67.45).
About IHWL
IHWL holds large and mid-sized companies from developed markets outside Australia, screened for environmental, social and governance factors, with currency exposure hedged back to Australian dollars. It tracks an ESG-screened version of the MSCI World ex Australia index and is passively managed.
The ESG screen removes companies involved in areas such as fossil fuel reserves, controversial weapons and tobacco, and favours those with stronger ESG ratings. Even so, the fund looks a lot like a standard world index: it is dominated by US technology giants, with information technology the largest sector by a wide margin and financials and health care next. Hedging means returns follow overseas share prices without the effect of the Australian dollar, which helps when the dollar rises and hurts when it falls. Distributions are modest and unfranked.
IHWL may suit investors wanting a low-cost, hedged core global shares fund with an ESG filter. Its unhedged sibling is IWLD, and alternatives include HETH and ETHI; see IWLD vs IHWL and IHWL vs HETH.
IHWL distributions and dividend dates
IHWL pays distributions yearly, usually going ex-distribution in July, with payment about 12 days after the ex-date. (Pattern estimated from recent payments.)
The latest distribution was $3.3536 per unit (0% franked), ex-distribution on 1 July 2026 and paid on 13 July 2026. To receive it you need to own IHWL before the ex-date.
Its distribution yield over the past 12 months is about 5.6%. Distributions vary and past payments are not a guide to future ones.
From ASX announcements, updated nightly. See every ETF in the dividend calendar.
Compare IHWL with
| Fee | 0.13% | 0.07% |
| 1 year | +17.1% | +14.0% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +11.0% | +9.2% |
| Size | $1.1bn | $6.5bn |
| Fee | 0.13% | 0.59% |
| 1 year | +17.1% | +6.2% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +11.0% | +8.5% |
| Size | $1.1bn | $3.8bn |
| Fee | 0.13% | 0.09% |
| 1 year | +17.1% | +10.4% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +11.0% | +12.3% |
| Size | $1.1bn | $2.0bn |
| Fee | 0.13% | 0.62% |
| 1 year | +17.1% | +14.2% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +11.0% | +7.9% |
| Size | $1.1bn | $725m |
IHWL price by TradingView
| Stock Code | IHWL |
|---|---|
| Fund Manager | iShares |
| Asset Class | International shares |
| AUM | $1.1bn |
| MER (%) | 0.13% |
| Net flows (Sep) | +$11m |
| Last Price | $65.64 |
| 52-Week Range | $56.17 – $67.45 |
| Bid/Ask Spread | 0.05% |
| Listing Date | 28/04/2016 |
| Exchange | ASX |
| Index tracked | MSCI World Ex Australia Custom ESG Leaders Index |
| Issuer website | iShares ↗ |
Performance (% return)
$10,000 invested…
Value at 30 September 2026 with distributions reinvested, before tax and brokerage.
Total returns including distributions, to 30 September 2026. 1M, 1Y, 3Y and 5Y bars are cumulative.
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