MOAT vs VTI
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, MOAT or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MOAT led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. MOAT is less concentrated, with 27.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $11.9B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.23% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 56 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +6.18% | +12.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.73% | +16.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.73% | +20.83%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.98% | +11.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 154208.1% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -96.0% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,372 | $17,537Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.1%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 24, 2012 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 29, 2007 to Sep 14, 2026 (19 years).
MOAT vs VTI 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 VTI Performance
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MOAT returned +12.73% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, MOAT is up 6.18% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, MOAT compounded at +12.73% per year against +20.83% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +8.98% and +11.89% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, MOAT has the edge at +51.91% annualized vs +9.44%.
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 16.1% for VTI. 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 -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.02. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MOAT charges 0.46% per year while VTI 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 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.3% of MOAT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 23.6% of VTI's money is in holdings MOAT also owns.
Most of MOAT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
53 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in MOAT and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 56 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 55 and 3,463 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,097 positions MOAT does not, 73.9% of the fund.
Largest: AAPL 6.29%, GOOGL 2.90%, GOOG 2.31%, LLY 1.35%, JPM 1.31%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MOAT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.46% | 6.40% | 3.94% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.73% | 4.79% | 2.06% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.32% | 3.65% | 2.33% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.19% | 2.56% | 0.37% |
| VEEVVeeva Systems Inc | 3.49% | 0.04% | 3.45% |
| ABNBAirbnb Inc | 3.01% | 0.08% | 2.93% |
| SCHWSchwab Strategic T | 2.65% | 0.24% | 2.41% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc | 2.46% | 0.38% | 2.08% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.11% | 1.70% | 0.59% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 2.60% | 0.18% | 2.42% |
97.3% of MOAT is already inside VTI.
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 VTI?
MOAT has an expense ratio of 0.46% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MOAT or VTI?
Over the past year MOAT returned +12.73% vs +16.31% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), MOAT annualized +51.91% vs +9.44% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MOAT or VTI?
MOAT has been the more volatile fund at 154208.1% annualized versus 16.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: MOAT -96.0% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both MOAT and VTI?
MOAT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of -0.02, 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 VTI?
97.3% of MOAT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 23.6% of VTI's is in holdings MOAT also owns. They hold 53 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in MOAT and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, MOAT or VTI?
MOAT yields 1.23% while VTI yields 1.03%, so MOAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than MOAT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. MOAT led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. MOAT is less concentrated, with 27.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.