Moat Strategies Reposition for 2025 Amid December Dip
January 08, 2025
Read Time 6 MIN
In December, U.S. equity markets ended the year on a mixed note, with the S&P 500 Index declining by 2.4%. The Federal Reserve's (Fed’s) more hawkish tone on rate cuts and an upward revision in inflation expectations led to investor apprehension about monetary policy going forward. Despite this downturn, the Nasdaq Composite bucked the trend, gaining about half a percent on the month, driven by continued resilience in the technology sector. The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a steeper decrease of 5%, signaling broader market jitters over higher interest rates persisting into 2025. Nonetheless, optimism heading into the new year remained, given expected policy changes under the new administration, setting the stage for a more positive outlook to start 2025.
The Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index (the “Moat Index”) retreated along with the broad U.S. equity market in December, falling 4.5% during the month versus the 2.4% decline for the S&P 500. Like much of the year, the Moat Index’s equal-weight and valuation conscious methodology proved a headwind in a market environment dominated by the narrow leadership of a few mega-cap tech names. However, when compared versus the equal-weight variant of the S&P 500, which fell by more than 6% in December, the Moat Index found areas of comparative strength leading to outperformance during the month.
After posting their best month of the year in November, smaller U.S. stocks declined considerably in December following the Fed’s hawkish statements on policy, suggesting a slower pace for rate cuts in 2025 than previously anticipated. The broad small- and mid-cap benchmarks fell between 7% and 8% during the month while the Morningstar US Small-Mid Cap Moat Focus Index (the “SMID Moat Index”) faired a bit better, declining roughly 6%. On the year, performance dispersion between large- and small-caps remains notable, offering compelling valuation opportunities for long-term investors looking to rotate capital in the new year.
Stocks Close Strong Year with a December Dip
Source: Morningstar. Data as of 12/31/2024. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is not representative of fund performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Fund performance current to the most recent month end is available by visiting vaneck.com or by calling 800.826.2333.
Moat Strategies Positioning for 2025
Both the Moat and SMID Moat Indexes underwent quarterly reviews on December 20, 2024. Each quarter they systematically target the most attractively priced, high quality U.S. companies within their respective universes. Key takeaways from the December review and how the Moat Index is positioned to start the new year can be found in our recent blog covering the review. Full results of the quarterly reviews are also available here: Moat Index and SMID Moat Index.
Additionally, in our moat investing webinar, we provide more information on current positioning and recent performance, and members of Morningstar’s equity research team share their perspectives on market trends and the companies they cover. View the webinar here: Beyond Big Tech: A Fresh Look at Equity Exposure.
MOAT | VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF
Moat Index December Highlights: Boeing Shares Liftoff
Sector allocations within the Moat Index were the primary drivers of relative performance versus the S&P 500 in December with an underweight in technology having a noted negative impact. Overweights in health care and industrials also detracted. However, strong stock selection within these areas helped offset the negative allocation effect.
One of those beneficial stock selections was well-known aerospace and defense giant Boeing Co. (BA), which was the top contributor to performance in December. Boeing has taken investors for a turbulent ride in recent years with groundings and safety concerns around their 737 MAX jets as well as issues with their Starliner capsule, which stranded two U.S. astronauts on the International Space Station earlier this year. However, Boeing was aided by good news in December with the reopening of the Chinese market to Boeing’s airplanes, as well as the announcement of a significant 100 jet purchase order from Pegasus Airlines. While Boeing shares soared during the month, gaining more than 13%, on the positive news, they remain attractively priced relative to Morningstar’s fair value estimate of $191 per share.
Also within the top contributors list for December are two Magnificent Seven names, Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) and Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), which saw share price gains of 12% and 5.5%, respectively, during the month. Despite the Moat Index’s structural underweight to the mega-caps that dominate broad market strategies, most of the Mag Seven are wide-moat companies and are eligible for inclusion in the index if Morningstar views their relative valuations as attractive. GOOGL’s increased weighting during the December review, as it traded modestly below its $220 fair value estimate, is a recent example. Other top contributors include semiconductor testing equipment manufacturer Teradyne (TER) and the global leader in premium beauty products, Estee Lauder (EL).
On the opposite end, companies detracting the most in December include electronic bond trading platform operator MarketAxess Holdings (MKTX), document and design software firm Adobe (ADBE), consumer health and personal products company Kenvue (KVUE), the regional banking branch U.S. Bank (USB), and consumer credit bureau TransUnion (TRU).
Top Contributors and Detractors from Moat Index - December 2024
Leading Contributors
Company | Ticker | Sector | Avg. Weight (%) | Contribution (%) |
Boeing Co. | BA | Industrials | 2.06 | 0.29 |
Alphabet Inc. | GOOGL | Communication Services | 1.31 | 0.16 |
Teradyne Inc. | TER | Technology | 0.98 | 0.14 |
Amazon.com Inc. | AMZN | Consumer Discretionary | 1.32 | 0.07 |
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. | EL | Consumer Staples | 1.70 | 0.07 |
Leading Detractors
Company | Ticker | Sector | Avg. Weight (%) | Contribution (%) |
MarketAxess Holdings Inc. | MKTX | Financials | 2.61 | -0.33 |
Adobe Inc. | ADBE | Technology | 2.26 | -0.31 |
Kenvue Inc. | KVUE | Consumer Staples | 2.69 | -0.31 |
U.S. Bancorp | USB | Financials | 2.89 | -0.27 |
TransUnion | TRU | Industrials | 2.70 | -0.23 |
Source: Morningstar, December 2024. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is not illustrative of fund performance. Not intended as a recommendation to buy or to sell any of the securities mentioned herein.
SMOT | VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF
SMID Moat Index December Highlights: Cloudflare’s Cyber Edge
The SMID Moat Index’s lead over small- and mid-cap broad benchmarks in December was driven by a combination of strong stock selection and favorable sector exposure with overweights in technology and communication services, as well as an underweight in industrials being the most additive allocations.
Topping the list of leading contributors in December was web security and performance software company Cloudflare Inc. (NET). Morningstar views Cloudflare as well-positioned to succeed in both cybersecurity and edge computing, leveraging its role as a leading content delivery network that handles over 10% of global internet traffic and supports more than a quarter of the world’s websites. With growing demand for cybersecurity amid rising cyberattacks, Cloudflare is poised to capitalize on the trend, while also exploring edge computing as large enterprise companies look to manage their data-related workflows. Shares of NET ended December up nearly 8% over the last month and more than 30% over the last three months.
Other top contributors include online video game and multimedia platform operator Roblox (RBLX), luxury fashion and accessory brands parent company Tapestry (TPR), semiconductor testing equipment manufacturer Teradyne (TER), and hotel and resort operator Wyndham (WH). Names that detracted most from the SMID Moat Index performance during the month include ride-sharing service provider Lyft (LYFT), recreational marine vehicle manufacturer Brunswick Corp. (BC), advertising services firm Omnicron Group (OMC), industrial and electrical distributor WESCO International (WCC), and home lawn and gardening products company Scotts Miracle Gro (SMG).
Top Contributors and Detractors from SMID Moat Index - December 2024
Leading Contributors
Company | Ticker | Sector | Avg. Weight (%) | Contribution (%) |
Cloudflare Inc. | NET | Technology | 1.53 | 0.12 |
Roblox Corp. | RBLX | Communication Services | 0.66 | 0.10 |
Tapestry Inc. | TPR | Consumer Discretionary | 1.68 | 0.09 |
Teradyne Inc. | TER | Technology | 0.49 | 0.07 |
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Inc. | WH | Consumer Discretionary | 1.52 | 0.05 |
Leading Detractors
Company | Ticker | Sector | Avg. Weight (%) | Contribution (%) |
Lyft Inc Class A | LYFT | Industrials | 1.47 | -0.38 |
Brunswick Corp. | BC | Consumer Discretionary | 1.24 | -0.24 |
Omnicom Group Inc. | OMC | Communication Services | 1.30 | -0.22 |
WESCO International Inc. | WCC | Industrials | 1.52 | -0.22 |
The Scotts Miracle Gro Co. | SMG | Materials | 1.37 | -0.19 |
Source: Morningstar, December 2024. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is not illustrative of fund performance. Not intended as a recommendation to buy or to sell any of the securities mentioned herein.
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Important Disclosures
Source for all data unless otherwise noted: Morningstar.
Fair value estimate: the Morningstar analyst's estimate of what a stock is worth. Price/Fair Value: ratio of a stock's trading price to its fair value estimate.
This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. VanEck does not guarantee the accuracy of third party data. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck or its other employees.
Holdings will vary for the MOAT ETF and its corresponding Index. For a complete list of holdings in the ETF, please click here: MOAT - VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF - Holdings.
Holdings will vary for the SMOT ETF and its corresponding Index. For a complete list of holdings in the ETF, please click here: SMOT - VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF - Holdings.
Holdings will vary for the MGRO ETF and its corresponding Index. For a complete list of holdings in the ETF, please click here: MGRO - VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat Growth ETF - Holdings.
Holdings will vary for the MVAL ETF and its corresponding Index. For a complete list of holdings in the ETF, please click here: MOAT - VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF - Holdings.
An investor cannot invest directly in an index. Returns reflect past performance and do not guarantee future results. Results reflect the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, if any. Certain indices may take into account withholding taxes. Index returns do not represent Fund returns. The Index does not charge management fees or brokerage expenses, nor does the Index lend securities, and no revenues from securities lending were added to the performance shown.
The Morningstar® Wide Moat Focus IndexSM and Morningstar® US Small-Mid Cap Moat Focus IndexSM were created and are maintained by Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar, Inc. does not sponsor, endorse, issue, sell, or promote the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF or the VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF and bears no liability with respect to the ETFs or any security. Morningstar® is a registered trademark of Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar® Wide Moat Focus IndexSM and Morningstar® US Small-Mid Cap Moat Focus IndexSM are service marks of Morningstar, Inc.
The Morningstar® US Broad Value Wide Moat Focus IndexSM and Morningstar® US Broad Growth Wide Moat Focus IndexSM were created and are maintained by Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar, Inc. does not sponsor, endorse, issue, sell, or promote the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat Value ETF and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat Growth ETF and bears no liability with respect to the Funds or any security. Morningstar® is a registered trademark of Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar® US Broad Value Wide Moat Focus IndexSM and Morningstar® US Broad Growth Wide Moat Focus IndexSM are service marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Effective June 20, 2016, Morningstar implemented several changes to the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index construction rules. Among other changes, the index increased its constituent count from 20 stocks to at least 40 stocks and modified its rebalance and reconstitution methodology. These changes may result in more diversified exposure, lower turnover, and longer holding periods for index constituents than under the rules in effect prior to this date. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The Morningstar moat-driven indexes represent various regional exposures and consist of companies identified as having sustainable, competitive advantages and whose stocks are attractively priced, according to Morningstar.
The Morningstar® Wide Moat Focus IndexSM is intended to track the overall performance of attractively priced companies with sustainable competitive advantages according to Morningstar's equity research team.
The Morningstar® US Small-Mid Cap Moat Focus IndexSM is intended to track the overall performance of small- and mid-cap companies with sustainable competitive advantages and attractive valuations according to Morningstar's equity research team.
Morningstar® US Broad Value Wide Moat Focus IndexSM: consists of at least 30 U.S. value-oriented companies identified as having sustainable, competitive advantages, and whose stocks are the most attractively priced, according to Morningstar.
Morningstar® US Broad Growth Wide Moat Focus IndexSM: consists of at least 30 U.S. growth-oriented companies identified as having sustainable, competitive advantages, and whose stocks are the most attractively priced, according to Morningstar.
The S&P SmallCap 600 Index represents small-cap US companies. The S&P Midcap 400 Index provides investors with a benchmark for mid-sized US companies. The S&P 500 Index tracks the stock performance of 500 of the largest companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. The S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index which is an equally weighted version of the market-cap weighted S&P 500 Index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, Dow Jones, or simply the Dow, is a stock market index of 30 prominent companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. Nasdaq Composite is a stock market index that includes almost all stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
The S&P 500® Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by Van Eck Associates Corporation. Copyright © 2025 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Redistribution or reproduction in whole or in part are prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. For more information on any of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC’s indices please visit https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/. S&P® is a registered trademark of S&P Global and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein.
An investment in the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT®) may be subject to risks which include, among others, risks related to investing in equity securities, health care sector, industrials sector, information technology sector, financials sector, medium-capitalization companies, market, operational, high portfolio turnover, index tracking, authorized participant concentration, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, passive management, fund shares trading, premium/discount risk and liquidity of fund shares, non-diversification and index-related concentration risks, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks.
An investment in the VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF (SMOT®) may be subject to risks which include, among others, risks related to investing in equity securities, small- and medium-capitalization companies, consumer discretionary sector, financials sector, health care sector, industrials sector, information technology sector, market, operational, high portfolio turnover, index tracking, authorized participant concentration, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, passive management, fund shares trading, premium/discount risk and liquidity of fund shares, non-diversified, and index-related concentration risks, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks.
An investment in the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat Value ETF (MVAL) may be subject to risks which include, among others, risks related to investing in equity securities, value style investing, financials sector, health care sector, industrials sector, large- and medium-capitalization companies, market, operational, index tracking, authorized participant concentration, new fund, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, passive management, fund shares trading, premium/discount and liquidity of fund shares, non-diversified, and index-related concentration risks, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Large- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks. The Fund’s value strategy may result in the Fund investing in securities or industry sectors that underperform the market as a whole. Furthermore, the value companies identified by the Index provider may not operate as expected, and there is no guarantee that the index provider’s proprietary valuation model will perform as intended.
An investment in the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat Growth ETF (MGRO) may be subject to risks which include, among others, risks related to investing in equity securities, growth style investing, consumer discretionary sector, industrials sector, financials sector, large- and medium-capitalization companies, health care sector, information technology sector, market, operational, index tracking, authorized participant concentration, new fund, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, passive management, fund shares trading, premium/discount and liquidity of fund shares, non-diversified, and index-related concentration risk, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Large- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks. The Fund’s growth strategy may result in the Fund investing in securities or industry sectors that underperform the market as a whole. Furthermore, the growth companies identified by the Index provider may not operate as expected, and there is no guarantee that the index provider’s proprietary valuation model will perform as intended.
Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of a Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.
© Van Eck Securities Corporation, Distributor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Eck Associates Corporation.
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Important Disclosures
Source for all data unless otherwise noted: Morningstar.
Fair value estimate: the Morningstar analyst's estimate of what a stock is worth. Price/Fair Value: ratio of a stock's trading price to its fair value estimate.
This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. VanEck does not guarantee the accuracy of third party data. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck or its other employees.
Holdings will vary for the MOAT ETF and its corresponding Index. For a complete list of holdings in the ETF, please click here: MOAT - VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF - Holdings.
Holdings will vary for the SMOT ETF and its corresponding Index. For a complete list of holdings in the ETF, please click here: SMOT - VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF - Holdings.
Holdings will vary for the MGRO ETF and its corresponding Index. For a complete list of holdings in the ETF, please click here: MGRO - VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat Growth ETF - Holdings.
Holdings will vary for the MVAL ETF and its corresponding Index. For a complete list of holdings in the ETF, please click here: MOAT - VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF - Holdings.
An investor cannot invest directly in an index. Returns reflect past performance and do not guarantee future results. Results reflect the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, if any. Certain indices may take into account withholding taxes. Index returns do not represent Fund returns. The Index does not charge management fees or brokerage expenses, nor does the Index lend securities, and no revenues from securities lending were added to the performance shown.
The Morningstar® Wide Moat Focus IndexSM and Morningstar® US Small-Mid Cap Moat Focus IndexSM were created and are maintained by Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar, Inc. does not sponsor, endorse, issue, sell, or promote the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF or the VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF and bears no liability with respect to the ETFs or any security. Morningstar® is a registered trademark of Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar® Wide Moat Focus IndexSM and Morningstar® US Small-Mid Cap Moat Focus IndexSM are service marks of Morningstar, Inc.
The Morningstar® US Broad Value Wide Moat Focus IndexSM and Morningstar® US Broad Growth Wide Moat Focus IndexSM were created and are maintained by Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar, Inc. does not sponsor, endorse, issue, sell, or promote the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat Value ETF and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat Growth ETF and bears no liability with respect to the Funds or any security. Morningstar® is a registered trademark of Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar® US Broad Value Wide Moat Focus IndexSM and Morningstar® US Broad Growth Wide Moat Focus IndexSM are service marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Effective June 20, 2016, Morningstar implemented several changes to the Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index construction rules. Among other changes, the index increased its constituent count from 20 stocks to at least 40 stocks and modified its rebalance and reconstitution methodology. These changes may result in more diversified exposure, lower turnover, and longer holding periods for index constituents than under the rules in effect prior to this date. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The Morningstar moat-driven indexes represent various regional exposures and consist of companies identified as having sustainable, competitive advantages and whose stocks are attractively priced, according to Morningstar.
The Morningstar® Wide Moat Focus IndexSM is intended to track the overall performance of attractively priced companies with sustainable competitive advantages according to Morningstar's equity research team.
The Morningstar® US Small-Mid Cap Moat Focus IndexSM is intended to track the overall performance of small- and mid-cap companies with sustainable competitive advantages and attractive valuations according to Morningstar's equity research team.
Morningstar® US Broad Value Wide Moat Focus IndexSM: consists of at least 30 U.S. value-oriented companies identified as having sustainable, competitive advantages, and whose stocks are the most attractively priced, according to Morningstar.
Morningstar® US Broad Growth Wide Moat Focus IndexSM: consists of at least 30 U.S. growth-oriented companies identified as having sustainable, competitive advantages, and whose stocks are the most attractively priced, according to Morningstar.
The S&P SmallCap 600 Index represents small-cap US companies. The S&P Midcap 400 Index provides investors with a benchmark for mid-sized US companies. The S&P 500 Index tracks the stock performance of 500 of the largest companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. The S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index which is an equally weighted version of the market-cap weighted S&P 500 Index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, Dow Jones, or simply the Dow, is a stock market index of 30 prominent companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. Nasdaq Composite is a stock market index that includes almost all stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
The S&P 500® Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by Van Eck Associates Corporation. Copyright © 2025 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Redistribution or reproduction in whole or in part are prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. For more information on any of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC’s indices please visit https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/. S&P® is a registered trademark of S&P Global and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein.
An investment in the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT®) may be subject to risks which include, among others, risks related to investing in equity securities, health care sector, industrials sector, information technology sector, financials sector, medium-capitalization companies, market, operational, high portfolio turnover, index tracking, authorized participant concentration, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, passive management, fund shares trading, premium/discount risk and liquidity of fund shares, non-diversification and index-related concentration risks, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks.
An investment in the VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF (SMOT®) may be subject to risks which include, among others, risks related to investing in equity securities, small- and medium-capitalization companies, consumer discretionary sector, financials sector, health care sector, industrials sector, information technology sector, market, operational, high portfolio turnover, index tracking, authorized participant concentration, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, passive management, fund shares trading, premium/discount risk and liquidity of fund shares, non-diversified, and index-related concentration risks, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks.
An investment in the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat Value ETF (MVAL) may be subject to risks which include, among others, risks related to investing in equity securities, value style investing, financials sector, health care sector, industrials sector, large- and medium-capitalization companies, market, operational, index tracking, authorized participant concentration, new fund, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, passive management, fund shares trading, premium/discount and liquidity of fund shares, non-diversified, and index-related concentration risks, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Large- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks. The Fund’s value strategy may result in the Fund investing in securities or industry sectors that underperform the market as a whole. Furthermore, the value companies identified by the Index provider may not operate as expected, and there is no guarantee that the index provider’s proprietary valuation model will perform as intended.
An investment in the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat Growth ETF (MGRO) may be subject to risks which include, among others, risks related to investing in equity securities, growth style investing, consumer discretionary sector, industrials sector, financials sector, large- and medium-capitalization companies, health care sector, information technology sector, market, operational, index tracking, authorized participant concentration, new fund, no guarantee of active trading market, trading issues, passive management, fund shares trading, premium/discount and liquidity of fund shares, non-diversified, and index-related concentration risk, all of which may adversely affect the Fund. Large- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks. The Fund’s growth strategy may result in the Fund investing in securities or industry sectors that underperform the market as a whole. Furthermore, the growth companies identified by the Index provider may not operate as expected, and there is no guarantee that the index provider’s proprietary valuation model will perform as intended.
Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of a Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.
© Van Eck Securities Corporation, Distributor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Eck Associates Corporation.