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ESPO vs. IAK
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ESPO vs. IAK

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

ESPO (VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and IAK (iShares U.S. Insurance ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESPO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while IAK is a Financials Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESPO returned 5.49%/yr vs 13.37%/yr for IAK. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for IAK.

Performance

ESPO vs. IAK - 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. Insurance ETF (IAK). 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 IAK's 1.11% return.

ESPO

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

IAK

1D
0.68%
1M
4.20%
YTD
1.11%
6M
0.88%
1Y
4.33%
3Y*
18.27%
5Y*
13.37%
10Y*
12.67%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESPO vs. IAK - 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%
IAK
iShares U.S. Insurance ETF		1.11%9.50%28.25%11.28%11.33%26.84%-2.86%25.94%-7.67%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPO and IAK is 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

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

0.03

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

0.14

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

0.24

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

0.27

Over the past year, the correlation between ESPO and IAK has dropped to 0.03 - well below their long-term average of 0.27, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ESPO vs. IAK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ESPO
IAK

Communication Services

78.1%

-

Consumer Cyclical

13.8%

-

Technology

8.2%

-

Basic Materials

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

99.5%

Healthcare

-

0.5%

Industrials

-

-

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Communication Services

ESPO
78.1%
IAK

-

Consumer Cyclical

ESPO
13.8%
IAK

-

Technology

ESPO
8.2%
IAK

-

Basic Materials

ESPO

-

IAK

-

Consumer Defensive

ESPO

-

IAK

-

Energy

ESPO

-

IAK

-

Financial Services

ESPO

-

IAK
99.5%

Healthcare

ESPO

-

IAK
0.5%

Industrials

ESPO

-

IAK

-

Real Estate

ESPO

-

IAK

-

Utilities

ESPO

-

IAK

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF

iShares U.S. Insurance ETF

Often compared with ESPO:
ESPO vs. HEROESPO vs. ESGB.LESPO vs. GAMRESPO vs. NERDESPO vs. VGTESPO vs. MDLZESPO vs. SNSR
Often compared with IAK:
IAK vs. KIEIAK vs. KBWPIAK vs. IHEIAK vs. DIVBIAK vs. INFLIAK vs. VYMIAK vs. VTI

Return for Risk

ESPO vs. IAK — 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
IAK
IAK Risk / Return Rank: 1515
Overall Rank
IAK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1414
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IAK Sortino Ratio Rank: 1313
Sortino Ratio Rank
IAK Omega Ratio Rank: 1313
Omega Ratio Rank
IAK Calmar Ratio Rank: 1717
Calmar Ratio Rank
IAK Martin Ratio Rank: 1616
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. IAK - 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. Insurance ETF (IAK). 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.

ESPOIAKDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-0.80
0.29

-1.09

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-1.02
0.50

-1.52

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.88

1.06

-0.18

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.54

0.57

-1.11

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-0.94

1.27

-2.21

ESPO vs. IAK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPO Sharpe Ratio is -0.80, which is lower than the IAK Sharpe Ratio of 0.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPO and IAK, 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. IAK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, smaller than the maximum IAK drawdown of -77.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and IAK.

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Drawdown Indicators

ESPOIAKDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.99%

-77.38%

+26.39%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-27.81%

-7.62%

-20.19%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-27.81%

-11.58%

-16.23%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-48.33%

-14.76%

-33.57%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-44.95%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-27.19%

-0.23%

-26.96%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.06%

-16.11%

+1.05%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

15.95%

3.41%

+12.54%

Volatility

ESPO vs. IAK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is 4.42%, while iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) has a volatility of 5.49%. This indicates that ESPO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ESPOIAKDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.42%

5.49%

-1.07%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.67%

10.75%

+3.92%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.83%

15.10%

+3.73%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.10%

18.14%

+6.96%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.71%

20.92%

+4.79%

ESPO vs. IAK - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than IAK's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESPO vs. IAK - Dividend Comparison

ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, less than IAK's 2.60% 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%
IAK
iShares U.S. Insurance ETF		2.60%1.69%1.49%1.44%1.69%2.26%2.07%1.84%2.33%1.62%1.68%1.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

ESPO and IAK have a correlation of 0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IAK has higher volatility (5.49%) compared to ESPO (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs IAK's -77.38%.

On 5-year performance, IAK leads with 13.37% vs 5.49% for ESPO. On fees, IAK is cheaper at 0.43% 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, IAK has performed better with a 13.37% return vs 5.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IAK is cheaper with a 0.43% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.

IAK has the higher dividend yield at 2.60%, compared with 1.47% for ESPO.

ESPO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while IAK is Financials Equities. ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while IAK tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 0.43% for IAK.

IAK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.29 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

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