MOAT vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MOAT (VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - MOAT tracks the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index while VTI tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MOAT returned 13.53%/yr vs 15.13%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MOAT charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

MOAT vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MOAT achieves a 0.44% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 12.01% return. Over the past 10 years, MOAT has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 13.53%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.13% annualized return.

MOAT

• 1D: -0.75%
• 1M: 3.92%
• YTD: 0.44%
• 6M: 1.97%
• 1Y: 17.72%
• 3Y*: 11.86%
• 5Y*: 8.51%
• 10Y*: 13.53%

VTI

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 5.37%
• YTD: 12.01%
• 6M: 12.40%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.13%

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

MOAT vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MOAT VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	0.44%	13.20%	10.73%	31.89%	-13.66%	24.12%	14.84%	34.79%	-1.28%	23.18%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	12.01%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between MOAT and VTI is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 26, 2012	0.88

The correlation between MOAT and VTI shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.88 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MOAT vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MOAT	VTI
Technology	32.8%	33.5%
Consumer Defensive	17.5%	4.7%
Healthcare	16.0%	9.2%
Industrials	13.5%	9.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	10.0%
Financial Services	6.7%	12.0%
Communication Services	2.4%	10.3%
Real Estate	0.8%	2.4%
Basic Materials	-	2.0%
Energy	-	3.7%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

MOAT vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

MOAT

MOAT Risk / Return Rank: 33
MOAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
MOAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
MOAT Omega Ratio Rank: 33
MOAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
MOAT Martin Ratio Rank: 30

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 74
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	MOAT	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	2.48	-1.19
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.92	3.37	-1.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.45	-0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.42	3.44	-2.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.45	15.88	-11.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MOAT vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MOAT Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MOAT and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MOAT	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.29	2.48	-1.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.75	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.83	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.51	+0.27

Drawdowns

MOAT vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MOAT drawdown since its inception was -33.31%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOAT and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	MOAT	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.31%	-55.45%	+22.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.43%	-8.92%	-3.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.44%	-19.30%	-2.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.96%	-25.36%	+1.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.31%	-35.00%	+1.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.39%	0.00%	-3.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.83%	-8.03%	+4.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.97%	1.93%	+2.04%

Volatility

MOAT vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) has a higher volatility of 3.61% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.86%. This indicates that MOAT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MOAT	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.61%	2.86%	+0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.79%	9.11%	+0.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.78%	12.15%	+1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.17%	17.40%	+0.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.68%	18.30%	+0.38%

MOAT vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

MOAT has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

MOAT vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

MOAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.35%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MOAT VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	1.35%	1.36%	1.37%	0.86%	1.25%	1.08%	1.46%	1.31%	1.79%	1.07%	1.17%	2.13%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MOAT and VTI in my portfolio?

MOAT and VTI have a correlation of 0.73, 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 VTI?

MOAT has higher volatility (3.61%) compared to VTI (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOAT dropped -33.31% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, MOAT or VTI?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.13% vs 13.53% for MOAT. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MOAT or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.13% return vs 13.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MOAT or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for MOAT.

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

MOAT has the higher dividend yield at 1.35%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.

What is the main difference between MOAT and VTI?

MOAT tracks Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for MOAT and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.29), 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.