MSCI World index
The MSCI World covers ~1,500 large and mid-cap stocks in 23 developed countries. Market-cap weighted, it is ~70% dominated by the United States.
The MSCI World index, created in 1969 by Morgan Stanley Capital International, covers approximately 1,500 large and mid-cap stocks in 23 developed countries, representing roughly 85% of free-float market capitalisation in those markets. It is reviewed quarterly and reweighted based on market cap changes.
Geographic composition
The MSCI World is heavily weighted towards the United States, which accounts for roughly 70% of the index in 2026. Japan (~5.5%), UK (~4%), France (~3%), Canada (~2.8%) and Switzerland (~2.5%) follow.
What the index does not cover
Despite its name, the MSCI World does not include emerging markets (China, India, Brazil, Taiwan, South Korea, etc.). For full global coverage including emerging markets, look to the MSCI ACWI or FTSE All-World.
Main MSCI World ETFs in Europe
- IWDA (iShares Core MSCI World): TER 0.20%, physical, largest by AUM
- SWRD (SPDR MSCI World): TER 0.12%, physical, cheapest
- CW8 (Amundi MSCI World): TER 0.38%, synthetic, PEA-eligible
- WPEA (Invesco MSCI World): TER 0.19%, synthetic, PEA-eligible, cheapest for PEA
- LCWD (Lyxor MSCI World): TER 0.12%, synthetic, PEA-eligible
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