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ESPO vs. IAI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ESPO vs. IAI

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

ESPO (VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and IAI (iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESPO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while IAI is a Financials Equities fund tracking the DJ US Select / Investment Services. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESPO returned 5.49%/yr vs 14.44%/yr for IAI. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for IAI.

Performance

ESPO vs. IAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESPO achieves a -15.10% return, which is significantly lower than IAI's 3.17% return.

ESPO

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

IAI

1D
1.83%
1M
3.22%
YTD
3.17%
6M
2.78%
1Y
19.26%
3Y*
28.06%
5Y*
14.44%
10Y*
19.37%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESPO vs. IAI - 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%
IAI
iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF		3.17%25.80%34.37%15.27%-10.87%40.48%18.61%24.26%-8.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPO and IAI is 0.52, 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

0.52

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

0.52

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

0.55

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

0.51

The correlation between ESPO and IAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESPO vs. IAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ESPO
IAI

Communication Services

78.1%

-

Consumer Cyclical

13.8%

-

Technology

8.2%
0.1%

Basic Materials

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

99.9%

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Communication Services

ESPO
78.1%
IAI

-

Consumer Cyclical

ESPO
13.8%
IAI

-

Technology

ESPO
8.2%
IAI
0.1%

Basic Materials

ESPO

-

IAI

-

Consumer Defensive

ESPO

-

IAI

-

Energy

ESPO

-

IAI

-

Financial Services

ESPO

-

IAI
99.9%

Healthcare

ESPO

-

IAI

-

Industrials

ESPO

-

IAI

-

Real Estate

ESPO

-

IAI

-

Utilities

ESPO

-

IAI

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF

iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF

Often compared with ESPO:
ESPO vs. HEROESPO vs. ESGB.LESPO vs. GAMRESPO vs. NERDESPO vs. VGTESPO vs. MDLZESPO vs. SNSR
Often compared with IAI:
IAI vs. KCEIAI vs. XLFIAI vs. SPYIAI vs. QQQIAI vs. KIEIAI vs. FASIAI vs. FXO

Return for Risk

ESPO vs. IAI — 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
IAI
IAI Risk / Return Rank: 2929
Overall Rank
IAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3131
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 3030
Sortino Ratio Rank
IAI Omega Ratio Rank: 2929
Omega Ratio Rank
IAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 2727
Calmar Ratio Rank
IAI Martin Ratio Rank: 2727
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. IAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI). 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.

ESPOIAIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-0.80
1.00

-1.79

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-1.02
1.43

-2.45

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.88

1.18

-0.29

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.54

1.17

-1.71

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-0.94

3.33

-4.26

ESPO vs. IAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPO Sharpe Ratio is -0.80, which is lower than the IAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPO and IAI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

ESPO vs. IAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, smaller than the maximum IAI drawdown of -75.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and IAI.

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Drawdown Indicators

ESPOIAIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.99%

-75.46%

+24.47%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-27.81%

-16.52%

-11.29%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-27.81%

-23.14%

-4.67%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-48.33%

-28.84%

-19.49%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-40.38%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-27.19%

-2.81%

-24.38%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.06%

-22.63%

+7.57%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

15.95%

5.80%

+10.15%

Volatility

ESPO vs. IAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is 4.42%, while iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) has a volatility of 5.98%. This indicates that ESPO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ESPOIAIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.42%

5.98%

-1.56%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.67%

15.34%

-0.67%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.83%

19.44%

-0.61%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.10%

21.48%

+3.62%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.71%

22.85%

+2.86%

ESPO vs. IAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than IAI's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESPO vs. IAI - Dividend Comparison

ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, more than IAI's 1.05% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
IAI
iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF		1.05%0.95%1.05%1.80%2.14%1.31%1.55%1.52%1.58%1.37%1.49%1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

ESPO and IAI have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IAI has higher volatility (5.98%) compared to ESPO (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs IAI's -75.46%.

On 5-year performance, IAI leads with 14.44% vs 5.49% for ESPO. On fees, IAI is cheaper at 0.41% 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, IAI has performed better with a 14.44% return vs 5.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IAI is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.

ESPO has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 1.05% for IAI.

ESPO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IAI is Financials Equities. ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while IAI tracks DJ US Select / Investment Services. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 0.41% for IAI.

IAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 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.

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