ESPO vs. QTUM

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

ESPO (VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and QTUM (Defiance Quantum ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESPO is a Gaming fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while QTUM is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESPO returned 8.32%/yr vs 24.56%/yr for QTUM. Their 0.72 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for QTUM.

Performance

ESPO vs. QTUM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESPO achieves a -9.09% return, which is significantly lower than QTUM's 29.28% return.

ESPO

• 1D: -3.16%
• 1M: 3.18%
• 6M: -5.98%
• YTD: -9.09%
• 1Y: -11.33%
• 3Y*: 18.46%
• 5Y*: 8.32%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.59%

QTUM

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: -11.92%
• 6M: 22.33%
• YTD: 29.28%
• 1Y: 55.03%
• 3Y*: 39.51%
• 5Y*: 24.56%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 25.62%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ESPO VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF	$1.98M	$1.50M	$1.55M
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	$54.21M	$61.13M	$111.15M

ESPO vs. QTUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ESPO VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF	-9.09%	25.79%	47.61%	33.64%	-34.71%	-2.13%	83.93%	42.36%	-12.49%
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	29.28%	36.65%	50.54%	39.86%	-28.80%	35.18%	42.05%	47.99%	-11.79%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPO and QTUM is 0.52, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2018	0.72

Over the past year, the correlation between ESPO and QTUM has dropped to 0.52 - well below their long-term average of 0.72, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ESPO vs. QTUM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESPO	QTUM
Communication Services	77.7%	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	14.2%	2.0%
Technology	8.1%	81.4%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	0.0%
Healthcare	-	1.2%
Industrials	-	8.9%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ESPO vs. QTUM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ESPO

ESPO Risk / Return Rank: 5
ESPO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
ESPO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
ESPO Omega Ratio Rank: 4
ESPO Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
ESPO Martin Ratio Rank: 7

QTUM

QTUM Risk / Return Rank: 74
QTUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
QTUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
QTUM Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QTUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
QTUM Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ESPO vs. QTUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM). 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	QTUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.58	1.75	-2.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.70	2.29	-2.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.29	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.39	2.57	-2.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.62	9.41	-10.03

ESPO vs. QTUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPO Sharpe Ratio is -0.58, which is lower than the QTUM Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPO and QTUM, 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. QTUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, which is greater than QTUM's maximum drawdown of -38.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and QTUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESPO	QTUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.99%	-38.45%	-12.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.43%	-21.51%	-7.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.43%	-25.39%	-4.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.33%	-38.45%	-9.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.03%	-16.16%	-5.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.23%	-8.27%	-6.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.32%	5.87%	+12.45%

Volatility

ESPO vs. QTUM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is 6.66%, while Defiance Quantum ETF (QTUM) has a volatility of 11.38%. This indicates that ESPO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QTUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESPO	QTUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.66%	11.38%	-4.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.07%	26.47%	-10.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.65%	31.67%	-12.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.12%	27.69%	-2.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.65%	27.69%	-2.04%

ESPO vs. QTUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than QTUM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESPO vs. QTUM - Dividend Comparison

ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.37%, more than QTUM's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ESPO VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF	1.37%	1.24%	0.44%	0.96%	0.91%	3.36%	0.12%	0.22%	0.04%
QTUM Defiance Quantum ETF	0.83%	1.01%	0.61%	0.81%	1.46%	0.48%	0.42%	0.61%	0.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESPO and QTUM in my portfolio?

ESPO and QTUM 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.

Which is riskier, ESPO or QTUM?

QTUM has higher volatility (11.38%) compared to ESPO (6.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs QTUM's -38.45%.

Which ETF is better, ESPO or QTUM?

On 5-year performance, QTUM leads with 24.56% vs 8.32% for ESPO. On fees, QTUM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, ESPO has been the lower-risk option at 6.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESPO or QTUM?

Over the 5-year period, QTUM has performed better with a 24.56% return vs 8.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESPO or QTUM?

QTUM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.

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

ESPO has the higher dividend yield at 1.37%, compared with 0.83% for QTUM.

What is the main difference between ESPO and QTUM?

ESPO is categorized as Gaming, while QTUM is Technology Equities. ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while QTUM tracks BlueStar Machine Learning and Quantum Computing Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 0.40% for QTUM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QTUM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs -0.58), 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.