PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
ESPO vs. DXJ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ESPO vs. DXJ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

ESPO (VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and DXJ (WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - ESPO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while DXJ is a Japan Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESPO returned 5.49%/yr vs 26.01%/yr for DXJ. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for DXJ.

Performance

ESPO vs. DXJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESPO achieves a -15.10% return, which is significantly lower than DXJ's 18.74% return.

ESPO

1D
-0.29%
1M
-3.31%
YTD
-15.10%
6M
-16.17%
1Y
-14.92%
3Y*
16.96%
5Y*
5.49%
10Y*
—

DXJ

1D
0.74%
1M
-0.20%
YTD
18.74%
6M
19.84%
1Y
53.35%
3Y*
30.91%
5Y*
26.01%
10Y*
18.72%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESPO vs. DXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
ESPO
VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF		-15.10%25.79%47.61%33.64%-34.71%-2.13%83.93%42.36%-12.49%
DXJ
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund		18.74%32.78%29.83%42.04%5.96%17.99%3.94%18.94%-15.20%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPO and DXJ is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.41

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.42

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.46

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2018

0.48

ESPO vs. DXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ESPO
DXJ

Communication Services

78.1%
2.7%

Consumer Cyclical

13.8%
15.6%

Technology

8.2%
12.9%

Basic Materials

-

8.5%

Consumer Defensive

-

4.7%

Energy

-

1.7%

Financial Services

-

18.3%

Healthcare

-

6.8%

Industrials

-

27.4%

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

0.1%

Communication Services

ESPO
78.1%
DXJ
2.7%

Consumer Cyclical

ESPO
13.8%
DXJ
15.6%

Technology

ESPO
8.2%
DXJ
12.9%

Basic Materials

ESPO

-

DXJ
8.5%

Consumer Defensive

ESPO

-

DXJ
4.7%

Energy

ESPO

-

DXJ
1.7%

Financial Services

ESPO

-

DXJ
18.3%

Healthcare

ESPO

-

DXJ
6.8%

Industrials

ESPO

-

DXJ
27.4%

Real Estate

ESPO

-

DXJ

-

Utilities

ESPO

-

DXJ
0.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund

Often compared with ESPO:
ESPO vs. HEROESPO vs. ESGB.LESPO vs. GAMRESPO vs. NERDESPO vs. VGTESPO vs. MDLZESPO vs. SNSR
Often compared with DXJ:
DXJ vs. EWJDXJ vs. EWJVDXJ vs. DXJSDXJ vs. FLJPDXJ vs. BBJPDXJ vs. VOODXJ vs. DBJP

Return for Risk

ESPO vs. DXJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ESPO
ESPO Risk / Return Rank: 44
Overall Rank
ESPO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ESPO Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
Sortino Ratio Rank
ESPO Omega Ratio Rank: 44
Omega Ratio Rank
ESPO Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
Calmar Ratio Rank
ESPO Martin Ratio Rank: 55
Martin Ratio Rank
DXJ
DXJ Risk / Return Rank: 9292
Overall Rank
DXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9393
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 9393
Sortino Ratio Rank
DXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 9292
Omega Ratio Rank
DXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 9090
Calmar Ratio Rank
DXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 9191
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ESPO vs. DXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ). 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.

ESPODXJDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-0.80
3.02

-3.82

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-1.02
4.04

-5.06

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.88

1.54

-0.66

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.54

4.88

-5.42

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-0.94

18.93

-19.87

ESPO vs. DXJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPO Sharpe Ratio is -0.80, which is lower than the DXJ Sharpe Ratio of 3.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPO and DXJ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

ESPO vs. DXJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, roughly equal to the maximum DXJ drawdown of -49.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and DXJ.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

ESPODXJDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.99%

-49.63%

-1.36%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-27.81%

-10.98%

-16.83%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-27.81%

-22.19%

-5.62%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-48.33%

-22.19%

-26.14%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-39.14%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-27.19%

-1.34%

-25.85%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.06%

-14.32%

-0.74%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

15.95%

2.83%

+13.12%

Volatility

ESPO vs. DXJ - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ) have volatilities of 4.42% and 4.64%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

ESPODXJDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.42%

4.64%

-0.22%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.67%

13.56%

+1.11%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.83%

17.73%

+1.10%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.10%

19.02%

+6.08%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.71%

20.17%

+5.54%

ESPO vs. DXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than DXJ's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESPO vs. DXJ - Dividend Comparison

ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, more than DXJ's 1.09% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DXJ
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund		1.09%1.29%3.48%3.44%3.02%2.64%2.53%2.47%2.92%2.30%1.98%5.95%
ESPO
VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF		1.47%1.24%0.44%0.96%0.91%3.36%0.12%0.22%0.04%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

ESPO and DXJ have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

DXJ has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to ESPO (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs DXJ's -49.63%.

On 5-year performance, DXJ leads with 26.01% vs 5.49% for ESPO. On fees, DXJ is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, ESPO has been the lower-risk option at 4.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, DXJ has performed better with a 26.01% return vs 5.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

DXJ is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.

ESPO has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 1.09% for DXJ.

ESPO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while DXJ is Japan Equities. ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while DXJ tracks WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 0.48% for DXJ.

DXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.02 vs -0.80), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for ESPO and DXJ

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer