MOAT vs VOO
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, MOAT or VOO?
Each has led over a different period.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. MOAT led over the full window, VOO over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. MOAT is less concentrated, with 27.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%.
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 | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $11.9B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.23% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 56 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +6.18% | +11.98%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.73% | +16.45%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.73% | +21.19%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.98% | +12.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 169729.5% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.0% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,372 | $18,384Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.1%Best | 37.6% |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 24, 2012 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 30, 2010 to Sep 14, 2026 (16 years).
MOAT vs VOO 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 VOO Performance
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MOAT returned +12.73% while VOO returned +16.45%. Year to date, MOAT is up 6.18% versus a gain of 11.98% for VOO.
Over three years, MOAT compounded at +12.73% per year against +21.19% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +8.98% and +12.95% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, MOAT has the edge at +85.09% annualized vs +13.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MOAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 169729.5% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -68.0% for MOAT and -34.3% for VOO. 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 VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $46 vs $3 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MOAT currently yields 1.23% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
88.4% of MOAT's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 26.8% of VOO's money is in holdings MOAT also owns.
Most of MOAT is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
48 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in MOAT and 494 in VOO, against full books of 56 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 55 and 494 positions we hold weights for.
VOO holds 439 positions MOAT does not, 72.4% of the fund.
Largest: AAPL 7.05%, GOOGL 3.24%, GOOG 2.62%, JPM 1.46%, BRK.B 1.46%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MOAT | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.46% | 7.55% | 5.09% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.73% | 5.36% | 2.63% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.32% | 4.13% | 2.81% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.19% | 2.86% | 0.67% |
| VEEVVeeva Systems Inc | 3.49% | 0.05% | 3.44% |
| ABNBAirbnb Inc | 3.01% | 0.10% | 2.91% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.11% | 1.90% | 0.79% |
| SCHWSchwab Strategic T | 2.65% | 0.27% | 2.38% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc | 2.46% | 0.42% | 2.04% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 2.60% | 0.21% | 2.39% |
88.4% of MOAT is already inside VOO.
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 VOO?
MOAT has an expense ratio of 0.46% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MOAT or VOO?
Over the past year MOAT returned +12.73% vs +16.45% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), MOAT annualized +85.09% vs +13.37% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MOAT or VOO?
MOAT has been the more volatile fund at 169729.5% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: MOAT -68.0% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both MOAT and VOO?
MOAT and VOO 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 VOO?
88.4% of MOAT's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 26.8% of VOO's is in holdings MOAT also owns. They hold 48 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in MOAT and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, MOAT or VOO?
MOAT yields 1.23% while VOO yields 1.04%, so MOAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than MOAT?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. MOAT led over the full window, VOO over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. MOAT is less concentrated, with 27.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.