MOAT vs. ESN

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

MOAT (VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF) and ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - MOAT tracks the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index while ESN tracks the Essential 40 Stock Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, MOAT returned 15.84% vs 28.79% for ESN. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MOAT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for ESN.

Performance

MOAT vs. ESN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MOAT achieves a 5.78% return, which is significantly lower than ESN's 17.69% return.

MOAT

• 1D: 1.36%
• 1M: 3.07%
• 6M: 4.21%
• YTD: 5.78%
• 1Y: 15.84%
• 3Y*: 12.01%
• 5Y*: 9.07%
• 10Y*: 13.61%
• ALL TIME*: 13.91%

ESN

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 0.63%
• 6M: 12.36%
• YTD: 17.69%
• 1Y: 28.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.00%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	$2.27M	$1.62M	$1.62M
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	$67.13M	$66.89M	$81.17M

MOAT vs. ESN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	5.78%	13.20%	-3.74%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	17.69%	16.52%	-3.53%

Correlation

The correlation between MOAT and ESN is 0.71, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2024	0.76

The correlation between MOAT and ESN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MOAT vs. ESN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MOAT

MOAT Risk / Return Rank: 41
MOAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
MOAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
MOAT Omega Ratio Rank: 40
MOAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
MOAT Martin Ratio Rank: 37

ESN

ESN Risk / Return Rank: 94
ESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
ESN Omega Ratio Rank: 93
ESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ESN Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MOAT vs. ESN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). 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.

	MOAT	ESN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	2.91	-1.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.70	4.00	-2.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.51	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.28	4.50	-3.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.82	18.06	-14.25

MOAT vs. ESN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MOAT Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is lower than the ESN Sharpe Ratio of 2.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MOAT and ESN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

MOAT vs. ESN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MOAT drawdown since its inception was -33.31%, which is greater than ESN's maximum drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOAT and ESN.

Drawdown Indicators

	MOAT	ESN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.31%	-13.60%	-19.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.43%	-6.42%	-6.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.44%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.96%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.31%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.82%	-1.80%	-2.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.16%	1.60%	+2.56%

Volatility

MOAT vs. ESN - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) has a higher volatility of 4.08% compared to Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) at 2.69%. This indicates that MOAT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MOAT	ESN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.08%	2.69%	+1.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.55%	7.51%	+3.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.01%	9.97%	+4.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.30%	13.04%	+5.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.63%	13.04%	+5.59%

MOAT vs. ESN - Expense Ratio Comparison

MOAT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than ESN's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

MOAT vs. ESN - Dividend Comparison

MOAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, more than ESN's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	0.77%	0.91%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	1.28%	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 MOAT and ESN in my portfolio?

MOAT and ESN have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MOAT or ESN?

MOAT has higher volatility (4.08%) compared to ESN (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOAT dropped -33.31% vs ESN's -13.60%.

Which ETF is better, MOAT or ESN?

On 1-year performance, ESN leads with 28.79% vs 15.84% for MOAT. On fees, MOAT is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, ESN has been the lower-risk option at 2.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MOAT or ESN?

Over the 1-year period, ESN has performed better with a 28.79% return vs 15.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MOAT or ESN?

MOAT is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for ESN.

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

MOAT has the higher dividend yield at 1.28%, compared with 0.77% for ESN.

What is the main difference between MOAT and ESN?

MOAT tracks Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index, while ESN tracks Essential 40 Stock Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and KKM. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for MOAT and 0.70% for ESN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.91 vs 1.14), 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.