MOTI vs. GDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MOTI (VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF) and GDX (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MOTI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Global ex-US Moat Focus Index, while GDX is a Gold fund tracking the NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MOTI returned 6.07%/yr vs 13.98%/yr for GDX. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MOTI charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for GDX.

Performance

MOTI vs. GDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF (MOTI) 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, MOTI achieves a -6.91% return, which is significantly lower than GDX's -0.90% return. Over the past 10 years, MOTI has underperformed GDX with an annualized return of 6.07%, while GDX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.98% annualized return.

MOTI

• 1D: -1.03%
• 1M: -2.16%
• YTD: -6.91%
• 6M: -5.79%
• 1Y: 3.14%
• 3Y*: 6.65%
• 5Y*: 1.78%
• 10Y*: 6.07%

GDX

• 1D: -3.46%
• 1M: -0.76%
• YTD: -0.90%
• 6M: 5.62%
• 1Y: 61.27%
• 3Y*: 41.00%
• 5Y*: 18.69%
• 10Y*: 13.98%

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

MOTI vs. GDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MOTI VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF	-6.91%	25.01%	1.94%	10.18%	-6.93%	0.03%	7.24%	17.63%	-13.92%	34.27%
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	-0.90%	154.77%	10.63%	9.98%	-9.01%	-9.52%	23.66%	39.84%	-8.77%	11.99%

Correlation

The correlation between MOTI and GDX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2015	0.27

The correlation between MOTI and GDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (all time) to 0.42 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MOTI vs. GDX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MOTI	GDX
Consumer Defensive	23.4%	-
Industrials	22.2%	-
Healthcare	15.1%	-
Technology	10.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	-
Communication Services	9.3%	-
Basic Materials	5.8%	100.0%
Financial Services	3.2%	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

MOTI vs. GDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MOTI

MOTI Risk / Return Rank: 11
MOTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
MOTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
MOTI Omega Ratio Rank: 11
MOTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
MOTI Martin Ratio Rank: 11

GDX

GDX Risk / Return Rank: 35
GDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
GDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
GDX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
GDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
GDX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

MOTI vs. GDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF (MOTI) 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.

	MOTI	GDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.22	1.35	-1.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.41	1.76	-1.36
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.25	-0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.20	2.00	-1.79
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.55	5.13	-4.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MOTI vs. GDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MOTI Sharpe Ratio is 0.22, which is lower than the GDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MOTI 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

	MOTI	GDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22	1.35	-1.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.52	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34	0.38	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.13	+0.13

Drawdowns

MOTI vs. GDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MOTI drawdown since its inception was -36.70%, smaller than the maximum GDX drawdown of -80.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MOTI and GDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MOTI	GDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.70%	-80.34%	+43.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.45%	-30.84%	+15.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.35%	-30.84%	+14.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.14%	-46.51%	+15.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.70%	-49.79%	+13.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.36%	-26.62%	+14.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.13%	-40.43%	+31.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.70%	11.99%	-6.29%

Volatility

MOTI vs. GDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF (MOTI) is 4.32%, while VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) has a volatility of 15.40%. This indicates that MOTI 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

	MOTI	GDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.32%	15.40%	-11.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.04%	37.50%	-26.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.30%	45.49%	-31.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.53%	36.39%	-18.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.08%	37.18%	-19.10%

MOTI vs. GDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MOTI has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than GDX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

MOTI vs. GDX - Dividend Comparison

MOTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.46%, more than GDX's 0.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF	0.74%	0.74%	1.19%	1.61%	1.66%	1.67%	0.53%	0.67%	0.50%	0.76%	0.26%	0.85%
MOTI VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF	3.46%	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 GDX in my portfolio?

MOTI and GDX have a correlation of 0.40, 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 GDX?

GDX has higher volatility (15.40%) compared to MOTI (4.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MOTI dropped -36.70% vs GDX's -80.34%.

Which ETF is better, MOTI or GDX?

On 10-year performance, GDX leads with 13.98% vs 6.07% for MOTI. On fees, GDX is cheaper at 0.51% per year. On volatility, MOTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MOTI or GDX?

Over the 10-year period, GDX has performed better with a 13.98% return vs 6.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MOTI or GDX?

GDX is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for MOTI.

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

MOTI has the higher dividend yield at 3.46%, compared with 0.74% for GDX.

What is the main difference between MOTI and GDX?

MOTI is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while GDX is Gold. MOTI tracks Morningstar Global ex-US Moat Focus Index, while GDX tracks NYSE MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for MOTI and 0.51% for GDX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 0.22), 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.