MOAT vs. REMX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

MOAT (VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF) and REMX (VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MOAT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index, while REMX is a Rare Earth & Strategic Metals fund tracking the MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MOAT returned 13.61%/yr vs 5.71%/yr for REMX. Their 0.50 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. MOAT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for REMX.

Performance

MOAT vs. REMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX). 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 higher than REMX's -8.51% return. Over the past 10 years, MOAT has outperformed REMX with an annualized return of 13.61%, while REMX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.71% annualized 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%

REMX

• 1D: 2.52%
• 1M: -22.01%
• 6M: -20.26%
• YTD: -8.51%
• 1Y: 39.51%
• 3Y*: -4.05%
• 5Y*: -7.38%
• 10Y*: 5.71%
• ALL TIME*: -5.20%

*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)
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	$67.13M	$66.89M	$81.17M
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF	$46.30M	$55.44M	$85.35M

MOAT vs. REMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	5.78%	13.20%	10.73%	31.89%	-13.66%	24.12%	14.84%	34.79%	-1.28%	23.18%
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF	-8.51%	92.95%	-35.02%	-19.18%	-31.13%	79.81%	64.82%	0.74%	-49.63%	82.60%

Correlation

The correlation between MOAT and REMX is 0.25, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2012	0.50

Over the past year, the correlation between MOAT and REMX has dropped to 0.25 - well below their long-term average of 0.50, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

MOAT vs. REMX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MOAT	REMX
Technology	30.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	18.2%	-
Healthcare	18.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	-
Industrials	9.5%	-
Financial Services	9.2%	-
Communication Services	2.4%	-
Real Estate	0.7%	-
Basic Materials	-	100.0%
Energy	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

MOAT vs. REMX — 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

REMX

REMX Risk / Return Rank: 33
REMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
REMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
REMX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
REMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
REMX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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. REMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX). 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	REMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	0.80	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.70	1.35	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.16	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.28	0.97	+0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.82	2.93	+0.88

MOAT vs. REMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MOAT Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is higher than the REMX Sharpe Ratio of 0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MOAT and REMX, 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. REMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MOAT drawdown since its inception was -33.31%, smaller than the maximum REMX drawdown of -90.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOAT and REMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MOAT	REMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.31%	-90.20%	+56.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.43%	-41.03%	+28.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.44%	-58.11%	+36.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.96%	-73.34%	+49.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.31%	-73.34%	+40.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-69.03%	+69.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.82%	-66.81%	+62.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.16%	13.50%	-9.34%

Volatility

MOAT vs. REMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) is 4.08%, while VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has a volatility of 12.38%. This indicates that MOAT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than REMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MOAT	REMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.08%	12.38%	-8.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.55%	36.40%	-25.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.01%	49.95%	-35.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.30%	40.59%	-22.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.63%	37.32%	-18.69%

MOAT vs. REMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

MOAT vs. REMX - Dividend Comparison

MOAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, less than REMX's 1.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
REMX VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF	1.92%	1.76%	2.56%	0.00%	1.56%	5.25%	0.81%	1.64%	12.43%	2.89%	2.23%	4.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MOAT and REMX in my portfolio?

MOAT and REMX have a correlation of 0.25, 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 REMX?

REMX has higher volatility (12.38%) compared to MOAT (4.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOAT dropped -33.31% vs REMX's -90.20%.

Which ETF is better, MOAT or REMX?

On 10-year performance, MOAT leads with 13.61% vs 5.71% for REMX. On fees, MOAT is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, MOAT has been the lower-risk option at 4.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MOAT or REMX?

Over the 10-year period, MOAT has performed better with a 13.61% return vs 5.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MOAT or REMX?

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

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

REMX has the higher dividend yield at 1.92%, compared with 1.28% for MOAT.

What is the main difference between MOAT and REMX?

MOAT is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while REMX is Rare Earth & Strategic Metals. MOAT tracks Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index, while REMX tracks MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for MOAT and 0.59% for REMX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MOAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 vs 0.80), 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.