VGS.AX vs. MOAT.AX

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

VGS.AX (Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF) and MOAT.AX (VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF) are both Global Equities funds - VGS.AX tracks the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares Index while MOAT.AX tracks the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGS.AX returned 13.37%/yr vs 14.14%/yr for MOAT.AX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VGS.AX vs. MOAT.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (VGS.AX) and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGS.AX achieves a 4.04% return, which is significantly higher than MOAT.AX's -1.90% return. Over the past 10 years, VGS.AX has underperformed MOAT.AX with an annualized return of 13.37%, while MOAT.AX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.14% annualized return.

VGS.AX

• 1D: -1.21%
• 1M: 0.20%
• 6M: 2.73%
• YTD: 4.04%
• 1Y: 11.55%
• 3Y*: 17.00%
• 5Y*: 12.22%
• 10Y*: 13.37%

MOAT.AX

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 4.30%
• 6M: -5.26%
• YTD: -1.90%
• 1Y: 5.43%
• 3Y*: 9.42%
• 5Y*: 9.70%
• 10Y*: 14.14%

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

VGS.AX vs. MOAT.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGS.AX Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF	4.04%	12.89%	29.23%	22.54%	-12.72%	29.67%	5.76%	29.16%	-0.01%	12.95%
MOAT.AX VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	-1.90%	5.68%	20.43%	30.52%	-7.38%	30.97%	3.35%	36.19%	9.68%	12.64%

Correlation

The correlation between VGS.AX and MOAT.AX is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2015	0.77

The correlation between VGS.AX and MOAT.AX shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.80 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VGS.AX vs. MOAT.AX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGS.AX

VGS.AX Risk / Return Rank: 36
VGS.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VGS.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
VGS.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
VGS.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
VGS.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

MOAT.AX

MOAT.AX Risk / Return Rank: 16
MOAT.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
MOAT.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
MOAT.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
MOAT.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
MOAT.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

VGS.AX vs. MOAT.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (VGS.AX) and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT.AX). 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.

	VGS.AX	MOAT.AX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	0.43	+0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.61	0.68	+0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.08	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.03	0.34	+0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.10	0.70	+2.40

VGS.AX vs. MOAT.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGS.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is higher than the MOAT.AX Sharpe Ratio of 0.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGS.AX and MOAT.AX, 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

VGS.AX vs. MOAT.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGS.AX drawdown since its inception was -23.39%, roughly equal to the maximum MOAT.AX drawdown of -23.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGS.AX and MOAT.AX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGS.AX	MOAT.AX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.39%	-23.63%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.72%	-15.16%	+4.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.82%	-19.11%	+5.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.53%	-19.11%	-1.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.39%	-23.63%	+0.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.56%	-5.26%	+3.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.18%	-3.97%	-0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.64%	7.59%	-3.95%

Volatility

VGS.AX vs. MOAT.AX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (VGS.AX) is 2.55%, while VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT.AX) has a volatility of 3.42%. This indicates that VGS.AX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MOAT.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGS.AX	MOAT.AX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.55%	3.42%	-0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.88%	9.67%	-1.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.83%	12.27%	-2.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.42%	14.96%	-2.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.93%	15.47%	-2.54%

Dividends

VGS.AX vs. MOAT.AX - Dividend Comparison

VGS.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, less than MOAT.AX's 9.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MOAT.AX VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF	9.96%	5.78%	7.39%	6.87%	0.00%	0.00%	1.26%	1.12%	2.52%	0.00%	1.78%	3.30%
VGS.AX Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF	0.98%	2.49%	1.76%	1.82%	1.42%	1.75%	2.24%	2.42%	2.19%	2.25%	3.29%	2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGS.AX and MOAT.AX in my portfolio?

VGS.AX and MOAT.AX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

What is the main difference between VGS.AX and MOAT.AX?

VGS.AX tracks Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares Index, while MOAT.AX tracks VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and VanEck.