VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF: A Diversified Large Cap Blend Option with Low Costs

The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) is a passively managed ETF that tracks the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index. It has $13.05 billion in assets and offers broad exposure to the Large Cap Blend segment of the US equity market. The ETF has an expense ratio of 0.47% and a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.30%. Its top holdings include Boeing Co/the (BA), Corteva Inc (CTVA), and Microchip Technology Inc (MCHP). The ETF has added roughly 5.12% so far this year and has a beta of 1.01 and standard deviation of 19.03% for the trailing three-year period.

The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) is a passively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) that seeks to replicate the performance of the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index. Launched on April 24, 2012, the ETF has amassed assets of $13.05 billion, making it one of the largest ETFs in the Large Cap Blend segment of the US equity market [2].

The Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index is comprised of securities issued by companies that Morningstar, Inc. determines to have sustainable competitive advantages based on a proprietary methodology. These "wide moat companies" are typically stable, predictable, and have a significant market presence [1]. The fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in these securities.

The ETF has an expense ratio of 0.47%, which is on par with most peer products in the space. It also has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.30% [2]. The fund's top holdings include Boeing Co/the (BA), Corteva Inc (CTVA), and Microchip Technology Inc (MCHP), with the top 10 holdings accounting for about 28.68% of total assets under management [2].

The ETF has added roughly 5.12% so far this year and has a beta of 1.01 and a standard deviation of 19.03% for the trailing three-year period, indicating a medium risk profile. It has a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), suggesting it is a good option for those seeking exposure to the Style Box - Large Cap Blend area of the market [2].

The ETF's performance has been bolstered by strong stock selection, particularly in the Technology sector. In June 2025, the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index, which the ETF tracks, benefited from this stock selection, posting a gain of 4.7% for the month. The strategy's equal-weighted approach and overweight positioning in defensive sectors largely offset headwinds, enabling it to keep pace with the broader market [3].

The ETF's top contributors in June 2025 were Microchip Technology Inc (MCHP), Estee Lauder (EL), Oracle Corp (ORCL), Nike Inc (NKE), and NXP Semiconductors (NXPI), while companies from the Consumer Staples sector detracted the most [3].

In conclusion, the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF offers broad exposure to the Large Cap Blend segment of the US equity market, with a focus on companies with sustainable competitive advantages. Its low expense ratio and medium risk profile make it an attractive option for long-term investors seeking exposure to this area of the market.

References:
[1] https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/vaneck-morningstar-wide-moat-etf-us92189f6438
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vaneck-morningstar-wide-moat-etf-102005572.html
[3] https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/blogs/moat-investing/moat-stocks-advance-in-summer-rally/