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ESPO vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ESPO vs. QQQ

Last updated Jul 21, 2026
Documentation

ESPO (VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESPO is a Gaming fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESPO returned 7.15%/yr vs 14.68%/yr for QQQ. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

ESPO vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESPO achieves a -11.58% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 13.58% return.

ESPO

1D
0.44%
1M
3.78%
6M
-13.33%
YTD
-11.58%
1Y
-14.95%
3Y*
18.26%
5Y*
7.15%
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
16.24%

QQQ

1D
0.10%
1M
-5.91%
6M
12.30%
YTD
13.58%
1Y
24.61%
3Y*
23.54%
5Y*
14.68%
10Y*
20.72%
ALL TIME*
10.70%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESPO vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
ESPO
VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF		-11.58%25.79%47.61%33.64%-34.71%-2.13%83.93%42.36%-12.49%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		13.58%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-12.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPO and QQQ is 0.58, 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

0.58

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

0.66

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

0.73

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

0.75

The correlation between ESPO and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.75 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ESPO vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ESPO
QQQ

Communication Services

77.7%
13.1%

Consumer Cyclical

14.2%
10.7%

Technology

8.1%
60.9%

Basic Materials

-

1.0%

Consumer Defensive

-

6.3%

Energy

-

0.5%

Financial Services

-

0.2%

Healthcare

-

3.6%

Industrials

-

2.7%

Real Estate

-

0.1%

Utilities

-

1.1%

Communication Services

ESPO
77.7%
QQQ
13.1%

Consumer Cyclical

ESPO
14.2%
QQQ
10.7%

Technology

ESPO
8.1%
QQQ
60.9%

Basic Materials

ESPO

-

QQQ
1.0%

Consumer Defensive

ESPO

-

QQQ
6.3%

Energy

ESPO

-

QQQ
0.5%

Financial Services

ESPO

-

QQQ
0.2%

Healthcare

ESPO

-

QQQ
3.6%

Industrials

ESPO

-

QQQ
2.7%

Real Estate

ESPO

-

QQQ
0.1%

Utilities

ESPO

-

QQQ
1.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF

Invesco QQQ ETF

Often compared with ESPO:
ESPO vs. HEROESPO vs. ESGB.LESPO vs. GAMRESPO vs. NERDESPO vs. VGTESPO vs. MDLZESPO vs. SNSR
Often compared with QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. SPMO

Return for Risk

ESPO vs. QQQ — 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: 33
Omega Ratio Rank
ESPO Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
Calmar Ratio Rank
ESPO Martin Ratio Rank: 66
Martin Ratio Rank
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 5151
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 4747
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 4848
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 5454
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 5757
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. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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.

ESPOQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-0.80
1.32

-2.12

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-1.04
1.83

-2.87

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.88

1.23

-0.36

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.51

2.07

-2.58

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-0.84

7.22

-8.07

ESPO vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPO Sharpe Ratio is -0.80, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPO and QQQ, 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. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and QQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

ESPOQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.99%

-82.97%

+31.98%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-29.43%

-11.96%

-17.47%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-29.43%

-22.77%

-6.66%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-48.33%

-35.12%

-13.21%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-35.12%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-24.17%

-6.61%

-17.56%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.19%

-32.65%

+17.46%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

17.77%

3.42%

+14.35%

Volatility

ESPO vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is 4.77%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 7.41%. This indicates that ESPO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

ESPOQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.77%

7.41%

-2.64%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.06%

15.55%

-0.49%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.71%

18.78%

-0.07%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.09%

22.81%

+2.28%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.61%

22.45%

+3.16%

ESPO vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESPO vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, more than QQQ's 0.44% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ESPO
VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF		1.41%1.24%0.44%0.96%0.91%3.36%0.12%0.22%0.04%0.00%0.00%0.00%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.44%0.45%0.56%0.62%0.80%0.43%0.55%0.74%0.91%0.84%1.06%0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

ESPO and QQQ have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QQQ has higher volatility (7.41%) compared to ESPO (4.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 14.68% vs 7.15% for ESPO. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, ESPO has been the lower-risk option at 4.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 14.68% return vs 7.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.

ESPO has the higher dividend yield at 1.41%, compared with 0.44% for QQQ.

ESPO is categorized as Gaming, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 0.18% for QQQ.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 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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