MOTG vs SPY
VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, MOTG or SPY?
SPY has been ahead.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MOTG is less concentrated, with 20.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.2%.
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 | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $18M | $823.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.40% | 0.99% |
| Holdings | 146 | 1,515 |
| YTD Return | +0.45% | +13.53%Best |
| 1Y Return | -11.79% | +17.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.56% | +22.36%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.24% | +13.21%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 16.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -31.8%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,728 | $18,596Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.8%Best | 38.2% |
| Fund Family | VanEck | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 30, 2018 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 31, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (8 years).
MOTG vs SPY 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 8 years both funds cover.
MOTG vs SPY Performance
VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat ETF (MOTG) is an ETF from VanEck and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year MOTG returned -11.79% while SPY returned +17.47%. Year to date, MOTG is up 0.45% versus a gain of 13.53% for SPY.
Over three years, MOTG compounded at +9.56% per year against +22.36% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +3.24% and +13.21% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +15.15% annualized vs +8.68%.
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 16.6% for SPY. 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 -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MOTG charges 0.52% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $9 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MOTG currently yields 2.40% against 0.99% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
32.5% of MOTG's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 20.4% of SPY's money is in holdings MOTG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
24 positions in common, counted across the 75 positions we hold weights for in MOTG and 504 in SPY, against full books of 146 and 1,515.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 472 positions for SPY that do not appear in our book for MOTG (78.7% of the fund), and 2 for MOTG that do not appear in SPY (2.1%).
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 SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.11% | 7.78% | 5.67% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.26% | 5.71% | 3.45% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.86% | 2.48% | 0.62% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.21% | 2.22% | 1.01% |
| DHRDanaher Corporation | 2.17% | 0.19% | 1.98% |
| SCHWSchwab Strategic T | 1.95% | 0.27% | 1.68% |
| ELEstee Lauder Cos., Inc. | 1.94% | 0.04% | 1.90% |
| ZBHZimmer Biomet Holdings | 1.89% | 0.03% | 1.86% |
| HIIHuntington Ingalls Industries Inc. | 1.83% | 0.02% | 1.81% |
| APHAmphenol Corp. Class A | 1.18% | 0.29% | 0.89% |
32.5% of MOTG is already inside SPY.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MOTG or SPY?
MOTG has an expense ratio of 0.52% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MOTG or SPY?
Over the past year MOTG returned -11.79% vs +17.47% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), MOTG annualized +8.68% vs +15.15% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MOTG or SPY?
MOTG has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 16.6% for SPY. Worst drawdown: MOTG -31.8% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both MOTG and SPY?
MOTG and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 SPY?
32.5% of MOTG's money is in holdings SPY also owns. 20.4% of SPY's is in holdings MOTG also owns. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 75 positions we hold weights for in MOTG and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, MOTG or SPY?
MOTG yields 2.40% while SPY yields 0.99%, so MOTG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than MOTG?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MOTG is less concentrated, with 20.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.