MOAT vs. VFINX

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

MOAT (VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF) and VFINX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - MOAT tracks the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index while VFINX tracks the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MOAT returned 13.35%/yr vs 15.00%/yr for VFINX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MOAT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for VFINX.

Performance

MOAT vs. VFINX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MOAT achieves a -1.06% return, which is significantly lower than VFINX's 6.66% return. Over the past 10 years, MOAT has underperformed VFINX with an annualized return of 13.35%, while VFINX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.00% annualized return.

MOAT

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: 2.54%
• YTD: -1.06%
• 6M: -2.38%
• 1Y: 12.21%
• 3Y*: 10.67%
• 5Y*: 7.69%
• 10Y*: 13.35%

VFINX

• 1D: -1.62%
• 1M: -1.70%
• YTD: 6.66%
• 6M: 5.86%
• 1Y: 21.97%
• 3Y*: 20.58%
• 5Y*: 12.79%
• 10Y*: 15.00%

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

MOAT vs. VFINX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	-1.06%	13.20%	10.73%	31.89%	-13.66%	24.12%	14.84%	34.79%	-1.28%	23.18%
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	6.66%	17.71%	24.84%	26.12%	-18.24%	28.53%	18.20%	31.33%	-4.55%	21.66%

Correlation

The correlation between MOAT and VFINX is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2012	0.87

The correlation between MOAT and VFINX shifts across timeframes, from 0.70 (1 year) to 0.87 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MOAT vs. VFINX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MOAT

MOAT Risk / Return Rank: 28
MOAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
MOAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
MOAT Omega Ratio Rank: 27
MOAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
MOAT Martin Ratio Rank: 27

VFINX

VFINX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VFINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
VFINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VFINX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VFINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VFINX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. VFINX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX). 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	VFINX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.88	1.77	-0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.35	2.42	-1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.32	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.99	2.44	-1.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.02	11.11	-8.09

MOAT vs. VFINX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MOAT Sharpe Ratio is 0.88, which is lower than the VFINX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MOAT and VFINX, 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. VFINX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MOAT drawdown since its inception was -33.31%, smaller than the maximum VFINX drawdown of -55.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOAT and VFINX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MOAT	VFINX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.31%	-55.25%	+21.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.43%	-8.92%	-3.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.44%	-18.76%	-2.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.96%	-24.59%	+0.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.31%	-33.83%	+0.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.84%	-4.46%	-0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.83%	-8.28%	+4.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.05%	1.95%	+2.10%

Volatility

MOAT vs. VFINX - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares (VFINX) have volatilities of 4.16% and 4.04%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MOAT	VFINX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	4.04%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.04%	9.56%	+0.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.94%	12.26%	+1.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.21%	16.96%	+1.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.69%	18.09%	+0.60%

MOAT vs. VFINX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MOAT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than VFINX's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

MOAT vs. VFINX - Dividend Comparison

MOAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.37%, more than VFINX's 0.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	1.37%	1.36%	1.37%	0.86%	1.25%	1.08%	1.46%	1.31%	1.79%	1.07%	1.17%	2.13%
VFINX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Investor Shares	0.97%	1.02%	1.14%	1.36%	1.57%	1.15%	1.45%	1.77%	1.94%	1.69%	1.92%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MOAT and VFINX in my portfolio?

MOAT and VFINX have a correlation of 0.70, 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 VFINX?

MOAT has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to VFINX (4.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOAT dropped -33.31% vs VFINX's -55.25%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 0.88), 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.