MOAT ETF — VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT)

Updated October 16, 2026.

MOAT is an ETF that tracks the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index. its distribution rate is 1.27%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.27%, its expense ratio is 0.46%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 94/100 (Safe). Total return is 547.0% over the past 14.5 years, 57.5 points behind SPY at 604.5%.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF tracks the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index, which identifies U.S. companies with sustainable competitive advantages using Morningstar's proprietary analysis of quantitative and qualitative factors. The fund distributes annually at a modest yield with an expense ratio of 0.46%, making it cost-efficient for investors seeking equity exposure. This ETF appeals to investors focused on quality companies with durable competitive positioning rather than high current income.

MOAT performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 547.0% over the past 14.5 years, 57.5 points behind SPY at 604.5%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 12.5%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 12.4%.

MOAT key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

94 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.19%

Issuer

VanEck

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

04/24/2012

Expense ratio

0.46%

Distribution rate

1.27%

Distribution frequency

Annual

Trailing yield

1.27%

Last close

$110.63 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$11,529,509,411

Average volume

505164.0

Dividend

$1.404

Ex-dividend date

12/22/2025

Payment date

12/26/2025

Beta

0.92

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.27%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (1.27%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: VanEck or company page; Index: Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

MOAT risks and drawbacks

MOAT's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are annual, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 12.4%.

Who may consider MOAT — and who may not

MOAT may suit someone looking for a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (MOAT pays annual); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on MOAT

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Tagged: Index.

Frequently asked questions

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