MOTG vs. GDX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

MOTG (VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MOTG is a Global Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Global Wide Moat Focus Index, while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MOTG returned 6.46%/yr vs 19.08%/yr for GDX. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MOTG charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.

Performance

MOTG vs. GDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF (MOTG) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MOTG achieves a -0.25% return, which is significantly lower than GDX's 0.73% return.

MOTG

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: -0.21%
• YTD: -0.25%
• 6M: 0.94%
• 1Y: 9.55%
• 3Y*: 13.31%
• 5Y*: 6.46%
• 10Y*: —

GDX

• 1D: 1.65%
• 1M: 0.69%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 6M: 6.93%
• 1Y: 63.55%
• 3Y*: 41.54%
• 5Y*: 19.08%
• 10Y*: 14.11%

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

MOTG vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
MOTG VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF	-0.25%	26.06%	9.31%	11.00%	-11.34%	14.68%	16.06%	30.43%	-3.89%
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	0.73%	154.77%	10.63%	9.98%	-9.01%	-9.52%	23.66%	39.84%	12.00%

Correlation

The correlation between MOTG and GDX is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2018	0.30

The correlation between MOTG and GDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (all time) to 0.41 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MOTG vs. GDX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MOTG	GDX
Industrials	26.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	17.3%	-
Technology	17.1%	-
Healthcare	13.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	-
Financial Services	7.3%	-
Communication Services	6.7%	-
Basic Materials	1.1%	100.0%
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

MOTG vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MOTG

MOTG Risk / Return Rank: 21
MOTG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
MOTG Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
MOTG Omega Ratio Rank: 21
MOTG Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
MOTG Martin Ratio Rank: 22

GDX

GDX Risk / Return Rank: 39
GDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
GDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
GDX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
GDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
GDX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

MOTG vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF (MOTG) and VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). 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.

	MOTG	GDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.69	1.40	-0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.07	1.81	-0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.25	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.76	2.07	-1.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.57	5.27	-2.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MOTG vs. GDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MOTG Sharpe Ratio is 0.69, which is lower than the GDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MOTG and GDX, 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

	MOTG	GDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69	1.40	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.53	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.13	+0.51

Drawdowns

MOTG vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MOTG drawdown since its inception was -31.82%, smaller than the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOTG and GDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MOTG	GDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.82%	-80.34%	+48.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.56%	-30.84%	+18.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.31%	-30.84%	+15.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.29%	-46.51%	+22.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-49.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.72%	-25.41%	+19.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.95%	-40.43%	+35.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.72%	12.09%	-8.37%

Volatility

MOTG vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF (MOTG) is 4.40%, while VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a volatility of 15.49%. This indicates that MOTG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MOTG	GDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.40%	15.49%	-11.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.26%	37.51%	-26.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.88%	45.49%	-31.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.85%	36.40%	-20.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.85%	37.17%	-19.32%

MOTG vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MOTG has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

MOTG vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison

MOTG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 17.80%, more than GDX's 0.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	0.73%	0.74%	1.19%	1.61%	1.66%	1.67%	0.53%	0.67%	0.50%	0.76%	0.26%	0.85%
MOTG VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF	17.80%	17.75%	5.60%	1.86%	3.64%	5.88%	2.96%	3.91%	0.45%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MOTG and GDX in my portfolio?

MOTG and GDX have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MOTG or GDX?

GDX has higher volatility (15.49%) compared to MOTG (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOTG dropped -31.82% vs GDX's -80.34%.

Which ETF is better, MOTG or GDX?

On 5-year performance, GDX leads with 19.08% vs 6.46% for MOTG. On fees, GDX is cheaper at 0.51% per year. On volatility, MOTG has been the lower-risk option at 4.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MOTG or GDX?

Over the 5-year period, GDX has performed better with a 19.08% return vs 6.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MOTG or GDX?

GDX is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for MOTG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MOTG or GDX?

MOTG has the higher dividend yield at 17.80%, compared with 0.73% for GDX.

What is the main difference between MOTG and GDX?

MOTG is categorized as Global Equities, while GDX is Gold. MOTG tracks Morningstar Global Wide Moat Focus Index, while GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for MOTG and 0.51% for GDX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 0.69), 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.