MOAT vs VXUS
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, MOAT or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MOAT led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $11.9B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.23% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 56 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +6.18% | +13.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.73% | +20.20%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.73% | +19.23%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.98%Best | +8.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -33.3%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,372Best | $15,197 |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 24, 2012 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 25, 2012 to Sep 14, 2026 (15.6 years).
MOAT vs VXUS 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 covers the 15.6 years both funds cover.
MOAT vs VXUS Performance
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MOAT returned +12.73% while VXUS returned +20.20%. Year to date, MOAT is up 6.18% versus a gain of 13.03% for VXUS.
Over three years, MOAT compounded at +12.73% per year against +19.23% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +8.98% and +8.73% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, MOAT has the edge at +13.70% annualized vs +4.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MOAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -33.3% for MOAT and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MOAT charges 0.46% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $46 vs $5 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MOAT currently yields 1.23% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 55 holdings in MOAT and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 99.8% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in MOAT and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 56 and 8,747.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 55 and 8,082 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 35 positions MOAT does not, 2.3% of the fund.
Largest: MKL 0.76%, SHEL 0.57%, VWO 0.11%, JD 0.09%, ALC 0.08%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MOAT and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MOAT or VXUS?
MOAT has an expense ratio of 0.46% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MOAT or VXUS?
Over the past year MOAT returned +12.73% vs +20.20% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), MOAT annualized +13.70% vs +4.74% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MOAT or VXUS?
MOAT has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: MOAT -33.3% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both MOAT and VXUS?
MOAT and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.05, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, MOAT or VXUS?
MOAT yields 1.23% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than MOAT?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. MOAT led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.