ESPO vs. IVRS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ESPO (VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and IVRS (iShares Future Metaverse Tech And Communications ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESPO is a Gaming fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while IVRS is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Global Metaverse & Virtual Interaction Select Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ESPO returned 17.97%/yr vs 7.89%/yr for IVRS. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for IVRS.

Performance

ESPO vs. IVRS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and iShares Future Metaverse Tech And Communications ETF (IVRS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESPO achieves a -16.33% return, which is significantly lower than IVRS's -9.21% return.

ESPO

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: -2.71%
• YTD: -16.33%
• 6M: -16.76%
• 1Y: -16.63%
• 3Y*: 17.97%
• 5Y*: 5.31%
• 10Y*: —

IVRS

• 1D: -1.89%
• 1M: -4.92%
• YTD: -9.21%
• 6M: -10.90%
• 1Y: -6.88%
• 3Y*: 7.89%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESPO vs. IVRS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ESPO VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF	-16.33%	25.79%	47.61%	14.22%
IVRS iShares Future Metaverse Tech And Communications ETF	-9.21%	12.75%	7.40%	28.15%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPO and IVRS is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2023	0.81

The correlation between ESPO and IVRS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESPO vs. IVRS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESPO	IVRS
Technology	55.8%	51.6%
Communication Services	29.7%	28.5%
Consumer Cyclical	14.3%	3.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	19.9%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ESPO vs. IVRS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ESPO

ESPO Risk / Return Rank: 3
ESPO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
ESPO Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
ESPO Omega Ratio Rank: 2
ESPO Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
ESPO Martin Ratio Rank: 4

IVRS

IVRS Risk / Return Rank: 7
IVRS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
IVRS Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
IVRS Omega Ratio Rank: 6
IVRS Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
IVRS Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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. IVRS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and iShares Future Metaverse Tech And Communications ETF (IVRS). 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	IVRS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.90	-0.30	-0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.17	-0.27	-0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	0.97	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.59	-0.22	-0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.01	-0.45	-0.56

ESPO vs. IVRS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPO Sharpe Ratio is -0.90, which is lower than the IVRS Sharpe Ratio of -0.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPO and IVRS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ESPO vs. IVRS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, which is greater than IVRS's maximum drawdown of -31.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and IVRS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESPO	IVRS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.99%	-31.43%	-19.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.25%	-31.43%	+3.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.25%	-31.43%	+3.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.33%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-28.25%	-21.89%	-6.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.10%	-6.03%	-9.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.49%	15.29%	+1.20%

Volatility

ESPO vs. IVRS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is 4.23%, while iShares Future Metaverse Tech And Communications ETF (IVRS) has a volatility of 8.09%. This indicates that ESPO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IVRS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESPO	IVRS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.23%	8.09%	-3.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.64%	19.82%	-5.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.65%	22.78%	-4.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.09%	20.71%	+4.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.68%	20.71%	+4.97%

ESPO vs. IVRS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than IVRS's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESPO vs. IVRS - Dividend Comparison

ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.49%, less than IVRS's 8.82% 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%
IVRS iShares Future Metaverse Tech And Communications ETF	8.82%	7.88%	6.65%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESPO and IVRS in my portfolio?

ESPO and IVRS have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESPO or IVRS?

IVRS has higher volatility (8.09%) compared to ESPO (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs IVRS's -31.43%.

Which ETF is better, ESPO or IVRS?

On 3-year performance, ESPO leads with 17.97% vs 7.89% for IVRS. On fees, IVRS is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, ESPO has been the lower-risk option at 4.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESPO or IVRS?

Over the 3-year period, ESPO has performed better with a 17.97% return vs 7.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESPO or IVRS?

IVRS is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESPO or IVRS?

IVRS has the higher dividend yield at 8.82%, compared with 1.49% for ESPO.

What is the main difference between ESPO and IVRS?

ESPO is categorized as Gaming, while IVRS is Technology Equities. ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while IVRS tracks Morningstar Global Metaverse & Virtual Interaction Select Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 0.47% for IVRS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IVRS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.30 vs -0.90), 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.