DURA vs. ESN

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DURA (VanEck Vectors Morningstar Durable Dividend ETF) and ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - DURA tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Valuation Index while ESN tracks the Essential 40 Stock Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, DURA returned 22.22% vs 27.64% for ESN. Their 0.61 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DURA charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for ESN.

Performance

DURA vs. ESN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Morningstar Durable Dividend ETF (DURA) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with DURA having a 15.95% return and ESN slightly higher at 16.65%.

DURA

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 2.73%
• 6M: 8.23%
• YTD: 15.95%
• 1Y: 22.22%
• 3Y*: 9.89%
• 5Y*: 7.63%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.24%

ESN

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: -0.26%
• 6M: 12.11%
• YTD: 16.65%
• 1Y: 27.64%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.50%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DURA VanEck Vectors Morningstar Durable Dividend ETF	$68.16K	$85.30K	$69.37K
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	$2.17M	$1.60M	$1.63M

DURA vs. ESN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DURA VanEck Vectors Morningstar Durable Dividend ETF	15.95%	7.61%	-5.98%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	16.65%	16.52%	-3.53%

Correlation

The correlation between DURA and ESN is 0.46, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2024	0.61

The correlation between DURA and ESN shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (1 year) to 0.61 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DURA vs. ESN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DURA

DURA Risk / Return Rank: 72
DURA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
DURA Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
DURA Omega Ratio Rank: 79
DURA Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DURA Martin Ratio Rank: 79

ESN

ESN Risk / Return Rank: 93
ESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
ESN Omega Ratio Rank: 92
ESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ESN Martin Ratio Rank: 92

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DURA vs. ESN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Morningstar Durable Dividend ETF (DURA) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DURA	ESN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	2.65	-1.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	3.65	-1.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.46	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	4.12	-1.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.15	16.52	-6.36

DURA vs. ESN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DURA Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is lower than the ESN Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DURA and ESN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DURA vs. ESN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DURA drawdown since its inception was -33.15%, which is greater than ESN's maximum drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DURA and ESN.

Drawdown Indicators

	DURA	ESN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.15%	-13.60%	-19.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.53%	-6.42%	-2.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.27%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.80%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.69%	-0.53%	-1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.88%	-1.81%	-2.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	1.60%	+0.54%

Volatility

DURA vs. ESN - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Morningstar Durable Dividend ETF (DURA) has a higher volatility of 3.81% compared to Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) at 2.65%. This indicates that DURA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DURA	ESN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.81%	2.65%	+1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.15%	7.51%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.83%	9.98%	+4.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.67%	13.04%	+0.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.89%	13.04%	+3.85%

DURA vs. ESN - Expense Ratio Comparison

DURA has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than ESN's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

DURA vs. ESN - Dividend Comparison

DURA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.13%, more than ESN's 0.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DURA VanEck Vectors Morningstar Durable Dividend ETF	3.13%	3.59%	3.33%	3.58%	3.01%	2.89%	3.49%	3.83%	0.66%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	0.78%	0.91%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DURA and ESN in my portfolio?

DURA and ESN have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DURA or ESN?

DURA has higher volatility (3.81%) compared to ESN (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DURA dropped -33.15% vs ESN's -13.60%.

Which ETF is better, DURA or ESN?

On 1-year performance, ESN leads with 27.64% vs 22.22% for DURA. On fees, DURA is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, ESN has been the lower-risk option at 2.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DURA or ESN?

Over the 1-year period, ESN has performed better with a 27.64% return vs 22.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DURA or ESN?

DURA is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for ESN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DURA or ESN?

DURA has the higher dividend yield at 3.13%, compared with 0.78% for ESN.

What is the main difference between DURA and ESN?

DURA tracks Morningstar US Dividend Valuation Index, while ESN tracks Essential 40 Stock Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and KKM. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for DURA and 0.70% for ESN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 1.48), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.