MOAT vs. USMV
MOAT (VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF) and USMV (iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - MOAT tracks the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index while USMV tracks the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MOAT returned 13.50%/yr vs 9.48%/yr for USMV. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MOAT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for USMV.
Performance
MOAT vs. USMV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MOAT achieves a 2.17% return, which is significantly lower than USMV's 3.64% return. Over the past 10 years, MOAT has outperformed USMV with an annualized return of 13.50%, while USMV has yielded a comparatively lower 9.48% annualized return.
MOAT
- 1D
- -0.55%
- 1M
- 2.85%
- 6M
- -0.93%
- YTD
- 2.17%
- 1Y
- 11.60%
- 3Y*
- 10.36%
- 5Y*
- 8.59%
- 10Y*
- 13.50%
USMV
- 1D
- -0.96%
- 1M
- 1.18%
- 6M
- 3.50%
- YTD
- 3.64%
- 1Y
- 5.50%
- 3Y*
- 11.07%
- 5Y*
- 6.93%
- 10Y*
- 9.48%
MOAT vs. USMV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | 2.17% | 13.20% | 10.73% | 31.89% | -13.66% | 24.12% | 14.84% | 34.79% | -1.28% | 23.18% |
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 3.64% | 7.65% | 15.74% | 10.33% | -9.43% | 20.85% | 5.64% | 27.69% | 1.33% | 18.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between MOAT and USMV is 0.72, 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 | 0.72 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.74 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.78 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2012 | 0.77 |
The correlation between MOAT and USMV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.
MOAT vs. USMV - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
MOAT
USMV
Technology
Consumer Defensive
Healthcare
Industrials
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Communication Services
Real Estate
Basic Materials
-
Energy
-
Utilities
-
Technology
MOAT
USMV
Consumer Defensive
MOAT
USMV
Healthcare
MOAT
USMV
Industrials
MOAT
USMV
Financial Services
MOAT
USMV
Consumer Cyclical
MOAT
USMV
Communication Services
MOAT
USMV
Real Estate
MOAT
USMV
Basic Materials
MOAT
-
USMV
Energy
MOAT
-
USMV
Utilities
MOAT
-
USMV
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Return for Risk
MOAT vs. USMV — Risk / Return Rank
MOAT
USMV
MOAT vs. USMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV). 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 | USMV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.19 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.32 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.11 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.94 | 0.86 | +0.08 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.78 | 2.80 | -0.01 |
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Drawdowns
MOAT vs. USMV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MOAT drawdown since its inception was -33.31%, roughly equal to the maximum USMV drawdown of -33.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOAT and USMV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MOAT | USMV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.31% | -33.10% | -0.21% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.43% | -6.46% | -5.97% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.44% | -9.36% | -12.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.96% | -17.93% | -6.03% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.31% | -33.10% | -0.21% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.73% | -1.49% | -0.24% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.83% | -2.87% | -0.96% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.18% | 1.97% | +2.21% |
Volatility
MOAT vs. USMV - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) has a higher volatility of 4.09% compared to iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) at 2.75%. This indicates that MOAT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MOAT | USMV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.09% | 2.75% | +1.34% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.26% | 6.30% | +3.96% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.91% | 8.52% | +5.39% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.26% | 12.37% | +5.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.60% | 14.50% | +4.10% |
MOAT vs. USMV - Expense Ratio Comparison
MOAT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than USMV's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
MOAT vs. USMV - Dividend Comparison
MOAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.33%, less than USMV's 1.49% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | 1.33% | 1.36% | 1.37% | 0.86% | 1.25% | 1.08% | 1.46% | 1.31% | 1.79% | 1.07% | 1.17% | 2.13% |
USMV iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 1.49% | 1.49% | 1.67% | 1.82% | 1.62% | 1.26% | 1.81% | 1.88% | 2.12% | 1.77% | 2.22% | 2.02% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MOAT and USMV have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MOAT has higher volatility (4.09%) compared to USMV (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOAT dropped -33.31% vs USMV's -33.10%.
On 10-year performance, MOAT leads with 13.50% vs 9.48% for USMV. On fees, USMV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, USMV has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, MOAT has performed better with a 13.50% return vs 9.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
USMV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for MOAT.
USMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 1.33% for MOAT.
MOAT tracks Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index, while USMV tracks MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for MOAT and 0.15% for USMV.
MOAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.84 vs 0.65), 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.
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