Economic Moats Sustain Tech Leaders In Turbulent Times

Despite volatility in the broader tech sector, companies with robust economic moats remain well-positioned over the long term.

In recent years, the technology sector has served as a prime example of the power of economic moats, propelling a select few companies to mega-cap status. However, the sector has recently faced challenges that have sent ripples through the industry. Morningstar analysts joined a recent VanEck webinar to discuss the importance of economic moats in this increasingly competitive and volatile landscape.

Moats Stay in Favor Despite Trouble in the Broader Tech Sector

Over the past decade, a handful of technology companies have evolved into mega-cap behemoths, dominating market returns and solidifying their position in the global economy. Central to their remarkable success has been the strategic implementation of strong economic moats, enabling these companies to maintain a competitive advantage over their rivals and capture unparalleled market share.

While the broader sector has recently struggled, Morningstar believes companies with the strongest moats are well-positioned to outperform. This phenomenon is not limited to the industry's behemoths alone. Several smaller technology firms with well-established competitive advantages are also utilizing economic moats to secure their position in the market. Below, we take a closer look at two technology portfolio holdings in the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) and the VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF (SMOT).

Intuit Inc.

Intuit Inc.¹ (INTU) is the giant behind the U.S. small-business accounting software QuickBooks and the do-it-yourself tax software TurboTax. TurboTax and QuickBooks online sales have eclipsed their respective desktop sales, and Intuit Inc. has transitioned into a cloud-first company. This transition has enabled Intuit Inc. to leverage customer data to streamline the user experience across its disparate product set and natively market its full suite of offerings. As a result, the company scores high on switching costs and network effects. In Morningstar’s view, the recent pullback in the stock pushed the discount even farther below their estimate for fair value, as they believe many investors are underestimating the long-term potential of the company’s ability to expand its software ecosystem.

Intuit Inc. / 1 Year Price and Fair Value as of 3/31/2023

Garmin

Garmin’s² (GRMN) major revenue sources have shifted to its aviation and marine segments. The company’s fitness and outdoor segments are also major sources of revenue as they have benefited from the ascent of the smartwatch market. After shedding much of its auto segment, Morningstar believes the company will uphold excess returns on capital in the long term given its robust operating margins. Garmin’s narrow moat stems from the switching costs and intangible asset moat sources found in its aviation, marine, and outdoor segments. Like Intuit Inc., the stock has pulled back with other tech stocks and trades significantly below Morningstar’s estimate for fair value.

Garmin Ltd. / 1 Year Price and Fair Value as of 3/31/2023

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

¹ Intuit Inc. is 1.28% of net assets for the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (MOAT) as of 4/28/2023.

² Garmin Ltd is 1.39% of net assets for the VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF (SMOT) as of 4/28/2023.

This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities/financial instruments mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are valid as of the date of this communication and subject to change without notice. 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 employees.

Holdings will vary for the MOAT ETF and its corresponding Index. For a complete list of holdings in the ETF, please click here: https://www.vaneck.com/etf/equity/moat/holdings/.

Holdings will vary for the SMOT ETF and its corresponding Index. For a complete list of holdings in the ETF, please click here: https://www.vaneck.com/etf/equity/smot/holdings/.

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, consumer discretionary sector, 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, 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. Small- and medium-capitalization companies may be subject to elevated risks.

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.

Original Post

Editor's Note: The summary bullets for this article were chosen by Seeking Alpha editors.