MOAT vs QQQ
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, MOAT or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. MOAT led over the full window, QQQ over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. MOAT is less concentrated, with 26.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | MOAT | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $11.9B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.23% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 56 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +4.85% | +16.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.85% | +22.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.93% | +24.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.61% | +14.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 154208.1% | 19.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -96.0% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,113 | $19,586Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.0%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 24, 2012 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 29, 2007 to Sep 11, 2026 (19 years).
MOAT vs QQQ growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
MOAT vs QQQ Performance
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) is an ETF from VanEck and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year MOAT returned +9.85% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, MOAT is up 4.85% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, MOAT compounded at +11.93% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +8.61% and +14.39% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, MOAT has the edge at +51.84% annualized vs +15.43%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MOAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 154208.1% compared with 19.0% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -96.0% for MOAT and -53.5% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.03. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MOAT charges 0.46% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $46 vs $18 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MOAT currently yields 1.23% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
31.9% of MOAT's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 31.3% of QQQ's money is in holdings MOAT also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
16 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in MOAT and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 56 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 55 and 102 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 79 positions MOAT does not, 65.7% of the fund.
Largest: AAPL 7.27%, MU 4.43%, AMD 3.45%, GOOGL 3.36%, GOOG 3.13%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MOAT | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 2.51% | 8.44% | 5.93% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 2.69% | 5.76% | 3.07% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.43% | 4.67% | 3.24% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.51% | 3.16% | 0.65% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 1.14% | 2.78% | 1.64% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks Inc. | 2.50% | 1.30% | 1.20% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 1.61% | 1.86% | 0.25% |
| DDOGDatadog Inc. Class A | 2.48% | 0.41% | 2.07% |
| ABNBAirbnb Inc | 2.55% | 0.28% | 2.27% |
| FTNTFortinet Inc. | 2.20% | 0.53% | 1.67% |
31.9% of MOAT is already inside QQQ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MOAT or QQQ?
MOAT has an expense ratio of 0.46% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MOAT or QQQ?
Over the past year MOAT returned +9.85% vs +22.98% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), MOAT annualized +51.84% vs +15.43% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MOAT or QQQ?
MOAT has been the more volatile fund at 154208.1% annualized versus 19.0% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: MOAT -96.0% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both MOAT and QQQ?
MOAT and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of -0.03, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between MOAT and QQQ?
31.9% of MOAT's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 31.3% of QQQ's is in holdings MOAT also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in MOAT and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, MOAT or QQQ?
MOAT yields 1.23% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so MOAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than MOAT?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. MOAT led over the full window, QQQ over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. MOAT is less concentrated, with 26.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.