VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • VanEck • Wide Moat
Expense Ratio
0.46%
AUM
$15.0B
Dividend Yield
1.20%
Inception
2012
Beginner Score
8/10
What is VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF?
MOAT invests in companies that Morningstar analysts identify as having sustainable competitive advantages, or wide economic moats, and that are trading at attractive valuations. The fund targets businesses with durable pricing power, network effects, or cost advantages that protect profits over time. For beginners, MOAT offers a research-driven approach to buying high-quality companies at reasonable prices.
MOAT is managed by VanEck and has been available since 2012. With $15.0B in assets under management, it's a well-established fund with strong institutional backing. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.46%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $46 per year in management fees.
MOAT at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% |
| Total Holdings | 50 |
| P/E Ratio | 24.0 |
| Beta | 1.02 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.20% |
| AUM | $15.0B |
| Inception Year | 2012 |
| Issuer | VanEck |
Top 10 Holdings in MOAT
MOAT holds 50 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alphabet Inc. Class A | GOOGL | 3.20% |
| 2 | Salesforce Inc. | CRM | 2.80% |
| 3 | Tyler Technologies | TYL | 2.50% |
| 4 | Emerson Electric Co. | EMR | 2.40% |
| 5 | TransUnion | TRU | 2.30% |
| 6 | Corteva Inc. | CTVA | 2.20% |
| 7 | Etsy Inc. | ETSY | 2.20% |
| 8 | Gilead Sciences Inc. | GILD | 2.10% |
| 9 | Boeing Co. | BA | 2.00% |
| 10 | Wells Fargo & Co. | WFC | 2.00% |
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MOAT Performance History
Here's how MOAT has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
3.20%
1 Year
27.00%
3 Year
11.20%
5 Year
15.50%
10 Year
14.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 8/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
MOAT scores 8/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, focuses on 50 selected holdings, and has been available since 2012, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy MOAT — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "MOAT" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into MOAT
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With MOAT's expense ratio of 0.46%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $3,814 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.
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Pros and Cons of MOAT
Pros
- ✓Morningstar analyst research identifies companies with durable competitive advantages
- ✓Valuation overlay means it buys quality companies only when they are attractively priced
- ✓Has historically outperformed the S&P 500 over longer time horizons
- ✓Semi-annual rebalancing rotates into the most undervalued moat companies
Cons
- ✗Higher expense ratio of 0.46% due to the active research-driven methodology
- ✗Concentrated portfolio of only 50 stocks increases single-company risk
- ✗Morningstar moat ratings are subjective and may not always predict future success
MOAT vs Similar ETFs
See how MOAT stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MOAT a good ETF for beginners?▾
MOAT has a Beginner Suitability Score of 8/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and focused strategy.
What is the expense ratio of MOAT?▾
MOAT has an expense ratio of 0.46%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $46 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in MOAT?▾
You can invest in MOAT with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does MOAT pay dividends?▾
Yes, MOAT pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 1.20%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in MOAT?▾
The top holdings in MOAT include Alphabet Inc. Class A (3.20%), Salesforce Inc. (2.80%), Tyler Technologies (2.50%), and more. The fund holds 50 total positions, providing focused exposure to selected companies.