Long-term outperformance defines the track record of Morningstar’s success in identifying quality moat companies that are also trading at attractive valuations. Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index A History of Outperformance
The Morningstar® Wide Moat Focus IndexTM has outperformed the broader U.S. market since its inception in 2007. What is behind the index concept that has achieved such a track record?
US Moats: Ups and Downs in May
Performance Overview
The U.S.-oriented Morningstar® Wide Moat Focus IndexSM ( MWMFTR, or “U.S. Moat Index”) lagged the S&P 500® Index in May (0.51% vs. 1.41%). Despite this underperformance, the U.S. Moat Index remains ahead of the S&P 500 Index year-to-date (10.68% vs. 8.66%).
U.S. Domestic Moats: Ups and Downs
McKesson Corp (MCK US, +17.93%) rebounded in May after facing headwinds in previous quarters. The firm posted solid results for its fiscal fourth quarter which Morningstar equity analysts believe reaffirms their view of the company’s long-term fundamentals. MCK US was the top performer in the U.S. Moat Index in May and remained undervalued in Morningstar’s view at month end. In terms of sector performance in May, information technology was the top contributor to the U.S. Moat Index’s performance, with all five sector constituents posting positive performance. By contrast, the financials, consumer staples, real estate, consumer discretionary, and materials sectors all detracted from U.S. Moat Index performance in May, and were the primary reason for the Index’s underperformance relative to the S&P 500 Index. Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (FOXA US, -11.20%) was the worst performing Index constituent in May, primarily due to disappointing fiscal third quarter results driven by its film studio unit.
Important Disclosures
This commentary is not intended as a recommendation to buy or to sell any of the named securities. Holdings will vary for the MOAT ETF and their corresponding Indices.
Index performance is not representative of fund performance. To view fund performance current to the most recent month end, visit vaneck.com.
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. 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.
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.
The Morningstar® Wide Moat Focus IndexSM was created and are maintained by Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar, Inc. does not sponsor, endorse, issue, sell, or promote the VanEck Vectors® Morningstar Wide Moat UCITS ETF and bears no liability with respect to the ETF or any security. Morningstar® is a registered trademark of Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index is a service marks of Morningstar, Inc.
The Morningstar Wide Moat Focus Index consists of U.S. companies identified as having sustainable, competitive advantages and whose stocks are attractively priced, according to Morningstar.
The S&P 500® Index consists of 500 widely held common stocks covering the leading industries of the U.S. economy.
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.