MOAT vs. EWY

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

MOAT (VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF) and EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MOAT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index, while EWY is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI Korea Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MOAT returned 13.47%/yr vs 16.84%/yr for EWY. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MOAT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EWY.

Performance

MOAT vs. EWY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MOAT achieves a -0.66% return, which is significantly lower than EWY's 103.10% return. Over the past 10 years, MOAT has underperformed EWY with an annualized return of 13.47%, while EWY has yielded a comparatively higher 16.84% annualized return.

MOAT

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 3.44%
• YTD: -0.66%
• 6M: -1.22%
• 1Y: 12.57%
• 3Y*: 10.55%
• 5Y*: 7.78%
• 10Y*: 13.47%

EWY

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 4.68%
• YTD: 103.10%
• 6M: 117.85%
• 1Y: 198.25%
• 3Y*: 46.46%
• 5Y*: 18.80%
• 10Y*: 16.84%

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

MOAT vs. EWY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	103.10%	95.33%	-20.48%	19.05%	-26.59%	-7.58%	39.43%	7.97%	-20.37%	44.97%

Correlation

The correlation between MOAT and EWY is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2012	0.55

The correlation between MOAT and EWY shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.55 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MOAT vs. EWY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MOAT	EWY
Technology	32.8%	52.4%
Consumer Defensive	17.5%	1.7%
Healthcare	16.0%	3.5%
Industrials	13.5%	20.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	5.7%
Financial Services	6.7%	9.6%
Communication Services	2.4%	2.9%
Real Estate	0.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	2.0%
Energy	-	1.4%
Utilities	-	0.4%

Return for Risk

MOAT vs. EWY — Risk / Return Rank

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

MOAT

MOAT Risk / Return Rank: 26
MOAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
MOAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
MOAT Omega Ratio Rank: 26
MOAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
MOAT Martin Ratio Rank: 26

EWY

EWY Risk / Return Rank: 95
EWY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
EWY Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
EWY Omega Ratio Rank: 94
EWY Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
EWY Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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. EWY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY). 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	EWY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.91	4.29	-3.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.39	4.08	-2.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.59	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.02	8.65	-7.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.11	30.24	-27.13

MOAT vs. EWY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MOAT Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is lower than the EWY Sharpe Ratio of 4.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MOAT and EWY, 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. EWY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MOAT drawdown since its inception was -33.31%, smaller than the maximum EWY drawdown of -74.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOAT and EWY.

Drawdown Indicators

	MOAT	EWY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.31%	-74.14%	+40.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.43%	-23.08%	+10.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.44%	-27.36%	+5.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.96%	-48.55%	+24.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.31%	-49.73%	+16.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.45%	-8.88%	+4.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.83%	-20.11%	+16.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.06%	6.59%	-2.53%

Volatility

MOAT vs. EWY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) is 4.13%, while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has a volatility of 25.64%. This indicates that MOAT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EWY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MOAT	EWY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.13%	25.64%	-21.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.90%	42.65%	-32.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.93%	46.51%	-32.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.20%	30.15%	-11.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.68%	28.06%	-9.38%

MOAT vs. EWY - Expense Ratio Comparison

MOAT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than EWY's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

MOAT vs. EWY - Dividend Comparison

MOAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, more than EWY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF	1.03%	2.10%	2.55%	2.52%	1.23%	2.16%	0.73%	2.10%	1.34%	2.90%	1.21%	2.42%
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

Can I hold both MOAT and EWY in my portfolio?

MOAT and EWY have a correlation of 0.39, 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 EWY?

EWY has higher volatility (25.64%) compared to MOAT (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOAT dropped -33.31% vs EWY's -74.14%.

Which ETF is better, MOAT or EWY?

On 10-year performance, EWY leads with 16.84% vs 13.47% for MOAT. On fees, MOAT is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, MOAT has been the lower-risk option at 4.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MOAT or EWY?

Over the 10-year period, EWY has performed better with a 16.84% return vs 13.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MOAT or EWY?

MOAT is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for EWY.

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

MOAT has the higher dividend yield at 1.36%, compared with 1.03% for EWY.

What is the main difference between MOAT and EWY?

MOAT is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while EWY is Asia Pacific Equities. MOAT tracks Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index, while EWY tracks MSCI Korea Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for MOAT and 0.59% for EWY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.29 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.