ESPO vs. IS4S.DE
ESPO (VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and IS4S.DE (iShares Digital Security UCITS ETF USD (Dist)) are both exchange-traded funds - ESPO is a Gaming fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while IS4S.DE is a Technology Equities fund tracking the STOXX® Global Digital Security. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESPO returned 5.31%/yr vs 7.64%/yr for IS4S.DE. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for IS4S.DE.
Performance
ESPO vs. IS4S.DE - Performance Comparison
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Different Trading Currencies
ESPO is traded in USD, while IS4S.DE is traded in EUR. To make them comparable, the IS4S.DE values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESPO achieves a -16.33% return, which is significantly lower than IS4S.DE's 9.14% return.
ESPO
- 1D
- -0.79%
- 1M
- -2.71%
- YTD
- -16.33%
- 6M
- -16.76%
- 1Y
- -16.63%
- 3Y*
- 17.97%
- 5Y*
- 5.31%
- 10Y*
- —
IS4S.DE
- 1D
- 0.01%
- 1M
- -4.43%
- YTD
- 9.14%
- 6M
- 8.95%
- 1Y
- 16.34%
- 3Y*
- 19.07%
- 5Y*
- 7.64%
- 10Y*
- —
ESPO vs. IS4S.DE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESPO VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF | -16.33% | 25.79% | 47.61% | 33.64% | -34.71% | -2.13% | 83.93% | 42.36% | 2.21% |
IS4S.DE iShares Digital Security UCITS ETF USD (Dist) | 9.14% | 12.75% | 15.80% | 33.87% | -29.37% | 16.94% | 26.27% | 30.01% | -13.87% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESPO and IS4S.DE is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 30, 2018 | 0.54 |
The correlation between ESPO and IS4S.DE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ESPO vs. IS4S.DE — Risk / Return Rank
ESPO
IS4S.DE
ESPO vs. IS4S.DE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and iShares Digital Security UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (IS4S.DE). 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 | IS4S.DE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.67 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.38 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.86 | 1.15 | -0.28 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.59 | 1.47 | -2.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.01 | 3.20 | -4.21 |
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Drawdowns
ESPO vs. IS4S.DE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, which is greater than IS4S.DE's maximum drawdown of -36.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and IS4S.DE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESPO | IS4S.DE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.99% | -36.32% | -14.67% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -28.25% | -11.10% | -17.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.25% | -23.27% | -4.98% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -48.33% | -36.32% | -12.01% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -28.25% | -10.89% | -17.36% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.10% | -9.98% | -5.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 16.49% | 5.09% | +11.40% |
Volatility
ESPO vs. IS4S.DE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is 4.23%, while iShares Digital Security UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (IS4S.DE) has a volatility of 8.54%. This indicates that ESPO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IS4S.DE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ESPO | IS4S.DE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.23% | 8.54% | -4.31% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.64% | 16.83% | -2.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.65% | 21.10% | -2.45% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.09% | 21.01% | +4.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.68% | 21.47% | +4.21% |
ESPO vs. IS4S.DE - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than IS4S.DE's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
ESPO vs. IS4S.DE - Dividend Comparison
ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, more than IS4S.DE's 0.37% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESPO VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF | 1.49% | 1.24% | 0.44% | 0.96% | 0.91% | 3.36% | 0.12% | 0.22% | 0.04% |
IS4S.DE iShares Digital Security UCITS ETF USD (Dist) | 0.37% | 0.39% | 0.47% | 0.44% | 0.63% | 0.64% | 0.89% | 0.99% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESPO and IS4S.DE have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, IS4S.DE is cheaper at 0.40% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
IS4S.DE is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.
ESPO is categorized as Gaming, while IS4S.DE is Technology Equities. ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while IS4S.DE tracks STOXX® Global Digital Security. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 0.40% for IS4S.DE.
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