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MOAT vs. COWZ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

MOAT vs. COWZ

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

MOAT (VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF) and COWZ (Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MOAT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index, while COWZ is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MOAT returned 7.78%/yr vs 10.13%/yr for COWZ. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MOAT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for COWZ.

Performance

MOAT vs. COWZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MOAT achieves a -0.66% return, which is significantly lower than COWZ's 6.93% return.

MOAT

1D
0.41%
1M
3.19%
YTD
-0.66%
6M
-1.22%
1Y
14.57%
3Y*
10.55%
5Y*
7.78%
10Y*
13.47%

COWZ

1D
0.82%
1M
1.75%
YTD
6.93%
6M
6.01%
1Y
19.20%
3Y*
13.01%
5Y*
10.13%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MOAT vs. COWZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
MOAT
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF		-0.66%13.20%10.73%31.89%-13.66%24.12%14.84%34.79%-1.28%23.18%
COWZ
Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF		6.93%8.98%10.64%14.73%0.19%42.57%11.65%23.41%-10.05%20.22%

Correlation

The correlation between MOAT and COWZ is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.81

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.80

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.80

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2016

0.82

The correlation between MOAT and COWZ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

MOAT vs. COWZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
MOAT
COWZ

Technology

33.8%
16.0%

Consumer Defensive

17.0%
10.9%

Healthcare

15.9%
21.8%

Industrials

13.8%
8.4%

Financial Services

9.0%

-

Consumer Cyclical

7.3%
11.7%

Communication Services

2.4%
10.4%

Real Estate

0.8%

-

Basic Materials

-

3.7%

Energy

-

16.9%

Utilities

-

-

Technology

MOAT
33.8%
COWZ
16.0%

Consumer Defensive

MOAT
17.0%
COWZ
10.9%

Healthcare

MOAT
15.9%
COWZ
21.8%

Industrials

MOAT
13.8%
COWZ
8.4%

Financial Services

MOAT
9.0%
COWZ

-

Consumer Cyclical

MOAT
7.3%
COWZ
11.7%

Communication Services

MOAT
2.4%
COWZ
10.4%

Real Estate

MOAT
0.8%
COWZ

-

Basic Materials

MOAT

-

COWZ
3.7%

Energy

MOAT

-

COWZ
16.9%

Utilities

MOAT

-

COWZ

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF

Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF

Often compared with MOAT:
MOAT vs. SPYMOAT vs. VOOMOAT vs. BRK-AMOAT vs. SCHDMOAT vs. IVVMOAT vs. VTIMOAT vs. IOO
Often compared with COWZ:
COWZ vs. VOOCOWZ vs. VFLOCOWZ vs. SCHDCOWZ vs. GCOWCOWZ vs. COWGCOWZ vs. CALFCOWZ vs. VOOV

Return for Risk

MOAT vs. COWZ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
MOAT
MOAT Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
MOAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2828
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MOAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2828
Sortino Ratio Rank
MOAT Omega Ratio Rank: 2626
Omega Ratio Rank
MOAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 2424
Calmar Ratio Rank
MOAT Martin Ratio Rank: 2626
Martin Ratio Rank
COWZ
COWZ Risk / Return Rank: 6262
Overall Rank
COWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5555
Sharpe Ratio Rank
COWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
COWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 5252
Omega Ratio Rank
COWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 8080
Calmar Ratio Rank
COWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

MOAT vs. COWZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

MOATCOWZDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.91
1.63

-0.73

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.39
2.42

-1.04

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.16

1.29

-0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.02

3.65

-2.63

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.11

9.73

-6.62

MOAT vs. COWZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MOAT Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is lower than the COWZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MOAT and COWZ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

MOAT vs. COWZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MOAT drawdown since its inception was -33.31%, smaller than the maximum COWZ drawdown of -38.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOAT and COWZ.

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Drawdown Indicators

MOATCOWZDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-33.31%

-38.63%

+5.32%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.43%

-5.00%

-7.43%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-21.44%

-22.00%

+0.56%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-23.96%

-22.00%

-1.96%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.31%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.45%

-2.05%

-2.40%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.83%

-4.80%

+0.97%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.06%

1.88%

+2.18%

Volatility

MOAT vs. COWZ - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) has a higher volatility of 4.13% compared to Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF (COWZ) at 3.27%. This indicates that MOAT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than COWZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

MOATCOWZDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.13%

3.27%

+0.86%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.90%

7.20%

+2.70%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.93%

11.19%

+2.74%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.20%

17.64%

+0.56%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.68%

19.91%

-1.23%

MOAT vs. COWZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

MOAT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than COWZ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

MOAT vs. COWZ - Dividend Comparison

MOAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than COWZ's 1.93% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
COWZ
Pacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF		1.93%2.19%1.82%1.92%1.96%1.48%2.54%1.96%1.67%1.95%0.13%0.00%
MOAT
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF		1.36%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

MOAT and COWZ have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

MOAT has higher volatility (4.13%) compared to COWZ (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOAT dropped -33.31% vs COWZ's -38.63%.

On 5-year performance, COWZ leads with 10.13% vs 7.78% for MOAT. On fees, MOAT is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, COWZ has been the lower-risk option at 3.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, COWZ has performed better with a 10.13% return vs 7.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

MOAT is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for COWZ.

COWZ has the higher dividend yield at 1.93%, compared with 1.36% for MOAT.

MOAT is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while COWZ is Mid Cap Value Equities. MOAT tracks Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index, while COWZ tracks Pacer US Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for MOAT and 0.49% for COWZ.

COWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 0.91), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for MOAT and COWZ

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