MOTI vs. DFEVX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

MOTI (VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF) and DFEVX (DFA Emerging Markets Value Portfolio) are both funds - MOTI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Global ex-US Moat Focus Index, while DFEVX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, MOTI returned 6.95%/yr vs 9.60%/yr for DFEVX. Their 0.70 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MOTI charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for DFEVX.

Performance

MOTI vs. DFEVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF (MOTI) and DFA Emerging Markets Value Portfolio (DFEVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MOTI achieves a -1.28% return, which is significantly lower than DFEVX's 15.08% return. Over the past 10 years, MOTI has underperformed DFEVX with an annualized return of 6.95%, while DFEVX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.60% annualized return.

MOTI

• 1D: -1.26%
• 1M: 6.29%
• 6M: -5.13%
• YTD: -1.28%
• 1Y: 8.27%
• 3Y*: 6.55%
• 5Y*: 4.79%
• 10Y*: 6.95%
• ALL TIME*: 5.24%

DFEVX

• 1D: 3.06%
• 1M: -1.74%
• 6M: 7.00%
• YTD: 15.08%
• 1Y: 29.77%
• 3Y*: 16.88%
• 5Y*: 10.75%
• 10Y*: 9.60%
• ALL TIME*: 9.71%

*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)
DFEVX DFA Emerging Markets Value Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
MOTI VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF	$179.90K	$197.81K	$358.65K

MOTI vs. DFEVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MOTI VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF	-1.28%	25.01%	1.94%	10.18%	-6.93%	0.03%	7.24%	17.63%	-13.92%	34.27%
DFEVX DFA Emerging Markets Value Portfolio	15.08%	29.50%	6.17%	16.50%	-10.77%	12.42%	2.73%	9.64%	-11.92%	33.77%

Correlation

The correlation between MOTI and DFEVX is 0.46, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2015	0.70

Over the past year, the correlation between MOTI and DFEVX has dropped to 0.46 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

MOTI vs. DFEVX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MOTI

MOTI Risk / Return Rank: 21
MOTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
MOTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
MOTI Omega Ratio Rank: 22
MOTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
MOTI Martin Ratio Rank: 18

DFEVX

DFEVX Risk / Return Rank: 66
DFEVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
DFEVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
DFEVX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DFEVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DFEVX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

MOTI vs. DFEVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF (MOTI) and DFA Emerging Markets Value Portfolio (DFEVX). 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.

	MOTI	DFEVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.53	1.56	-1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.83	2.09	-1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.30	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.49	2.39	-1.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.05	7.14	-6.09

MOTI vs. DFEVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MOTI Sharpe Ratio is 0.53, which is lower than the DFEVX Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MOTI and DFEVX, 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

MOTI vs. DFEVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MOTI drawdown since its inception was -36.70%, smaller than the maximum DFEVX drawdown of -67.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOTI and DFEVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MOTI	DFEVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.70%	-67.59%	+30.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.95%	-11.35%	-4.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.95%	-16.17%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.71%	-23.49%	-4.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.70%	-47.53%	+10.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.05%	-8.47%	+1.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.17%	-16.43%	+7.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.51%	3.79%	+3.72%

Volatility

MOTI vs. DFEVX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF (MOTI) is 5.75%, while DFA Emerging Markets Value Portfolio (DFEVX) has a volatility of 7.42%. This indicates that MOTI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFEVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MOTI	DFEVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.75%	7.42%	-1.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.21%	15.91%	-3.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.00%	17.44%	-2.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.64%	14.66%	+2.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.80%	15.74%	+2.06%

MOTI vs. DFEVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MOTI has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than DFEVX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

MOTI vs. DFEVX - Dividend Comparison

MOTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, which matches DFEVX's 3.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFEVX DFA Emerging Markets Value Portfolio	3.27%	3.80%	4.68%	4.39%	4.44%	3.82%	2.47%	2.47%	2.49%	2.45%	1.99%	2.55%
MOTI VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF	3.26%	3.22%	4.79%	2.34%	3.27%	4.67%	2.14%	3.90%	3.73%	8.87%	1.33%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MOTI and DFEVX in my portfolio?

MOTI and DFEVX have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MOTI or DFEVX?

DFEVX has higher volatility (7.42%) compared to MOTI (5.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOTI dropped -36.70% vs DFEVX's -67.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFEVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 0.53), 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.