ESPO vs. FCVT
ESPO (VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and FCVT (First Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESPO is a Gaming fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while FCVT is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust. ESPO is passively managed, while FCVT is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESPO returned 5.23%/yr vs 6.54%/yr for FCVT. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for FCVT.
Performance
ESPO vs. FCVT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESPO achieves a -16.83% return, which is significantly lower than FCVT's 23.75% return.
ESPO
- 1D
- -0.60%
- 1M
- -3.29%
- YTD
- -16.83%
- 6M
- -17.45%
- 1Y
- -18.94%
- 3Y*
- 17.74%
- 5Y*
- 5.23%
- 10Y*
- —
FCVT
- 1D
- -0.80%
- 1M
- 2.17%
- YTD
- 23.75%
- 6M
- 21.67%
- 1Y
- 41.58%
- 3Y*
- 20.32%
- 5Y*
- 6.54%
- 10Y*
- 11.97%
ESPO vs. FCVT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESPO VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF | -16.83% | 25.79% | 47.61% | 33.64% | -34.71% | -2.13% | 83.93% | 42.36% | -12.49% |
FCVT First Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF | 23.75% | 19.60% | 11.92% | 7.12% | -20.88% | 4.23% | 51.02% | 22.30% | -6.18% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESPO and FCVT is 0.51, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2018 | 0.67 |
The correlation between ESPO and FCVT shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (1 year) to 0.67 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
ESPO vs. FCVT — Risk / Return Rank
ESPO
FCVT
ESPO vs. FCVT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and First Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF (FCVT). 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.
| ESPO | FCVT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.46 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -4.45 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.84 | 1.41 | -0.57 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.66 | 4.93 | -5.59 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.14 | 17.37 | -18.51 |
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Drawdowns
ESPO vs. FCVT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, which is greater than FCVT's maximum drawdown of -31.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and FCVT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESPO | FCVT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.99% | -31.79% | -19.20% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -28.67% | -8.47% | -20.20% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.67% | -15.06% | -13.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -48.33% | -30.43% | -17.90% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -31.79% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -28.67% | -3.07% | -25.60% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.11% | -10.32% | -4.79% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 16.59% | 2.40% | +14.19% |
Volatility
ESPO vs. FCVT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is 4.25%, while First Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF (FCVT) has a volatility of 7.33%. This indicates that ESPO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FCVT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ESPO | FCVT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.25% | 7.33% | -3.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.64% | 14.20% | +0.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.63% | 17.21% | +1.42% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.08% | 14.37% | +10.71% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.67% | 14.99% | +10.68% |
ESPO vs. FCVT - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than FCVT's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
ESPO vs. FCVT - Dividend Comparison
ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, more than FCVT's 1.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESPO VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF | 1.50% | 1.24% | 0.44% | 0.96% | 0.91% | 3.36% | 0.12% | 0.22% | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FCVT First Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF | 1.21% | 1.98% | 1.30% | 1.76% | 3.71% | 23.07% | 1.72% | 1.60% | 1.85% | 2.18% | 1.88% | 0.59% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESPO and FCVT have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FCVT has higher volatility (7.33%) compared to ESPO (4.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs FCVT's -31.79%.
On 5-year performance, FCVT leads with 6.54% vs 5.23% for ESPO. On fees, ESPO is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, ESPO has been the lower-risk option at 4.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FCVT has performed better with a 6.54% return vs 5.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ESPO is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for FCVT.
ESPO has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 1.21% for FCVT.
ESPO is categorized as Gaming, while FCVT is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 0.95% for FCVT.
FCVT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs -1.03), 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.
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