FTA vs. MOAT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FTA (First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund) and MOAT (VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTA is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index, while MOAT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FTA returned 11.10%/yr vs 13.53%/yr for MOAT. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTA charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for MOAT.

Performance

FTA vs. MOAT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) and VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTA achieves a 11.74% return, which is significantly higher than MOAT's 0.44% return. Over the past 10 years, FTA has underperformed MOAT with an annualized return of 11.10%, while MOAT has yielded a comparatively higher 13.53% annualized return.

FTA

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 1.23%
• YTD: 11.74%
• 6M: 13.79%
• 1Y: 29.01%
• 3Y*: 16.54%
• 5Y*: 9.26%
• 10Y*: 11.10%

MOAT

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 3.92%
• YTD: 0.44%
• 6M: 1.97%
• 1Y: 17.72%
• 3Y*: 11.86%
• 5Y*: 8.51%
• 10Y*: 13.53%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FTA vs. MOAT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	11.74%	14.94%	10.13%	10.08%	-3.73%	29.32%	-0.38%	24.73%	-13.63%	18.47%
MOAT VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	0.44%	13.20%	10.73%	31.89%	-13.66%	24.12%	14.84%	34.79%	-1.28%	23.18%

Correlation

The correlation between FTA and MOAT is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 26, 2012	0.85

The correlation between FTA and MOAT shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.85 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FTA vs. MOAT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTA	MOAT
Financial Services	19.7%	6.7%
Utilities	13.3%	-
Healthcare	10.6%	16.0%
Energy	9.6%	-
Industrials	9.6%	13.5%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	10.3%
Technology	8.0%	32.8%
Consumer Defensive	6.9%	17.5%
Real Estate	5.9%	0.8%
Communication Services	4.3%	2.4%
Basic Materials	2.7%	-

Return for Risk

FTA vs. MOAT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FTA

FTA Risk / Return Rank: 81
FTA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
FTA Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
FTA Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FTA Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FTA Martin Ratio Rank: 85

MOAT

MOAT Risk / Return Rank: 33
MOAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
MOAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
MOAT Omega Ratio Rank: 33
MOAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
MOAT Martin Ratio Rank: 30

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FTA vs. MOAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) and VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	FTA	MOAT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	1.29	+1.23
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.73	1.92	+1.81
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.22	+0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.72	1.42	+4.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.25	4.45	+13.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTA vs. MOAT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTA Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is higher than the MOAT Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTA and MOAT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTA	MOAT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	1.29	+1.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.47	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.73	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.78	-0.39

Drawdowns

FTA vs. MOAT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTA drawdown since its inception was -62.45%, which is greater than MOAT's maximum drawdown of -33.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTA and MOAT.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTA	MOAT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.45%	-33.31%	-29.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.13%	-12.43%	+7.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.73%	-21.44%	+2.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.80%	-23.96%	+4.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.97%	-33.31%	-11.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.39%	+3.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.04%	-3.83%	-5.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.61%	3.97%	-2.36%

Volatility

FTA vs. MOAT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) is 2.77%, while VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) has a volatility of 3.61%. This indicates that FTA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MOAT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTA	MOAT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.77%	3.61%	-0.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.43%	9.79%	-2.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.54%	13.78%	-2.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.26%	18.17%	-1.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.97%	18.68%	+1.29%

FTA vs. MOAT - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTA has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than MOAT's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTA vs. MOAT - Dividend Comparison

FTA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, more than MOAT's 1.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTA First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund	1.66%	1.89%	2.02%	2.10%	2.15%	1.54%	2.03%	1.88%	2.28%	1.53%	1.56%	2.05%
MOAT VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	1.35%	1.36%	1.37%	0.86%	1.25%	1.08%	1.46%	1.31%	1.79%	1.07%	1.17%	2.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTA and MOAT in my portfolio?

FTA and MOAT have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTA or MOAT?

MOAT has higher volatility (3.61%) compared to FTA (2.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTA dropped -62.45% vs MOAT's -33.31%.

Which ETF is better, FTA or MOAT?

On 10-year performance, MOAT leads with 13.53% vs 11.10% for FTA. On fees, MOAT is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, FTA has been the lower-risk option at 2.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTA or MOAT?

Over the 10-year period, MOAT has performed better with a 13.53% return vs 11.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTA or MOAT?

MOAT is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for FTA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTA or MOAT?

FTA has the higher dividend yield at 1.66%, compared with 1.35% for MOAT.

What is the main difference between FTA and MOAT?

FTA is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while MOAT is Large Cap Blend Equities. FTA tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Large Cap Value Index, while MOAT tracks Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for FTA and 0.48% for MOAT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 1.29), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.