MOTG vs VYM
VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MOTG or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MOTG is less concentrated, with 21.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | MOTG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $18M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.28% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 146 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +0.71% | +11.34%Best |
| 1Y Return | -13.82% | +14.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.83% | +18.91%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.78% | +11.69%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -31.8%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,038 | $17,381Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 21.8%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 30, 2018 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 31, 2018 to Oct 6, 2026 (7.9 years).
MOTG vs VYM 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 7.9 years both funds cover.
MOTG vs VYM Performance
VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF (MOTG) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MOTG returned -13.82% while VYM returned +14.86%. Year to date, MOTG is up 0.71% versus a gain of 11.34% for VYM.
Over three years, MOTG compounded at +9.83% per year against +18.91% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.78% and +11.69% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.72% annualized vs +8.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MOTG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 15.5% for VYM. 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 -31.8% for MOTG and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MOTG charges 0.52% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $4 annually, a gap of $48 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MOTG currently yields 2.28% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
18.2% of MOTG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.2% of VYM's money is in holdings MOTG also owns.
MOTG and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, MOTG as of Sep 15, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
14 positions in common, counted across the 72 positions we hold weights for in MOTG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 146 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 514 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MOTG (86.9% of the fund), and 13 for MOTG that do not appear in VYM (21.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MOTG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.87% | 7.35% | 5.48% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 2.16% | 0.54% | 1.62% |
| USBUS Bancorp | 2.27% | 0.40% | 1.87% |
| ELEstee Lauder Cos., Inc. | 2.11% | 0.08% | 2.03% |
| DISWalt Disney Co | 1.05% | 0.69% | 0.36% |
| NXPINxp Semiconductors Nv Sedol B505Pn7 | 1.09% | 0.24% | 0.85% |
| MDLZMondelez International Inc Com A Npv | 0.99% | 0.32% | 0.67% |
| ALLEAllegion Plc | 1.17% | 0.05% | 1.12% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 0.93% | 0.29% | 0.64% |
| MASMasco Corp. | 1.03% | 0.06% | 0.97% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MOTG and VYM 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, MOTG or VYM?
MOTG has an expense ratio of 0.52% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $48 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MOTG or VYM?
Over the past year MOTG returned -13.82% vs +14.86% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), MOTG annualized +8.74% vs +10.72% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MOTG or VYM?
MOTG has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 15.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MOTG -31.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both MOTG and VYM?
MOTG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 MOTG and VYM?
18.2% of MOTG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.2% of VYM's is in holdings MOTG also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 72 positions we hold weights for in MOTG and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MOTG or VYM?
MOTG yields 2.28% while VYM yields 2.22%, so MOTG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MOTG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MOTG is less concentrated, with 21.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.