PFXF vs. MOAT
PFXF (VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF) and MOAT (VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFXF is a Preferred Stock fund tracking the ICE Exchange-Listed Fixed & Adjustable Rate Non-Financial Preferred Securities Index, while MOAT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PFXF returned 4.73%/yr vs 13.61%/yr for MOAT. Their 0.58 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. PFXF charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for MOAT.
Performance
PFXF vs. MOAT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFXF achieves a 4.43% return, which is significantly lower than MOAT's 5.78% return. Over the past 10 years, PFXF has underperformed MOAT with an annualized return of 4.73%, while MOAT has yielded a comparatively higher 13.61% annualized return.
PFXF
- 1D
- 2.10%
- 1M
- 1.13%
- 6M
- 1.23%
- YTD
- 4.43%
- 1Y
- 9.79%
- 3Y*
- 8.72%
- 5Y*
- 3.13%
- 10Y*
- 4.73%
- ALL TIME*
- 5.36%
MOAT
- 1D
- 1.36%
- 1M
- 3.07%
- 6M
- 4.21%
- YTD
- 5.78%
- 1Y
- 15.84%
- 3Y*
- 12.01%
- 5Y*
- 9.07%
- 10Y*
- 13.61%
- ALL TIME*
- 13.91%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $67.13M | $66.89M | $81.17M | |
| $14.01M | $13.64M | $16.82M |
PFXF vs. MOAT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFXF VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 4.43% | 9.64% | 8.42% | 11.20% | -18.83% | 11.61% | 7.61% | 20.52% | -4.17% | 7.93% |
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | 5.78% | 13.20% | 10.73% | 31.89% | -13.66% | 24.12% | 14.84% | 34.79% | -1.28% | 23.18% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFXF and MOAT is 0.56, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.56 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.58 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.66 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.60 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 2012 | 0.58 |
The correlation between PFXF and MOAT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PFXF vs. MOAT — Risk / Return Rank
PFXF
MOAT
PFXF vs. MOAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT). 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.
| PFXF | MOAT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.17 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.27 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.20 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.22 | 1.28 | -0.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.58 | 3.82 | -0.24 |
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Drawdowns
PFXF vs. MOAT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFXF drawdown since its inception was -35.49%, which is greater than MOAT's maximum drawdown of -33.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFXF and MOAT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFXF | MOAT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.49% | -33.31% | -2.18% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.04% | -12.43% | +4.39% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.90% | -21.44% | +9.54% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.80% | -23.96% | +2.16% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.49% | -33.31% | -2.18% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.70% | 0.00% | -4.70% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.92% | -3.82% | -0.10% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.74% | 4.16% | -1.42% |
Volatility
PFXF vs. MOAT - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF (PFXF) and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) have volatilities of 4.27% and 4.08%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| PFXF | MOAT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.27% | 4.08% | +0.19% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.25% | 10.55% | -2.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.15% | 14.01% | -3.86% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.15% | 18.30% | -7.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.31% | 18.63% | -5.32% |
PFXF vs. MOAT - Expense Ratio Comparison
PFXF has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than MOAT's 0.47% expense ratio.
Dividends
PFXF vs. MOAT - Dividend Comparison
PFXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.56%, more than MOAT's 1.28% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MOAT VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | 1.28% | 1.36% | 1.37% | 0.86% | 1.25% | 1.08% | 1.46% | 1.31% | 1.79% | 1.07% | 1.17% | 2.13% |
PFXF VanEck Preferred Securities ex Financials ETF | 6.56% | 6.72% | 7.82% | 7.88% | 6.74% | 4.66% | 5.19% | 5.35% | 6.56% | 5.93% | 5.81% | 5.99% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PFXF and MOAT have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PFXF has higher volatility (4.27%) compared to MOAT (4.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFXF dropped -35.49% vs MOAT's -33.31%.
On 10-year performance, MOAT leads with 13.61% vs 4.73% for PFXF. On fees, PFXF is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, MOAT has been the lower-risk option at 4.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, MOAT has performed better with a 13.61% return vs 4.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PFXF is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for MOAT.
PFXF has the higher dividend yield at 6.56%, compared with 1.28% for MOAT.
PFXF is categorized as Preferred Stock, while MOAT is Large Cap Blend Equities. PFXF tracks ICE Exchange-Listed Fixed & Adjustable Rate Non-Financial Preferred Securities Index, while MOAT tracks Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for PFXF and 0.47% for MOAT.
MOAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 vs 0.97), 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.
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