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ESPO vs. RFDA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ESPO vs. RFDA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESPO (VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and RFDA (RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. ESPO is passively managed, while RFDA is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESPO returned 6.23%/yr vs 13.17%/yr for RFDA. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.52%/yr for RFDA.

Performance

ESPO vs. RFDA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). 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 -13.31% return, which is significantly lower than RFDA's 11.40% return.

ESPO

1D
-2.20%
1M
-1.23%
YTD
-13.31%
6M
-16.99%
1Y
-11.55%
3Y*
19.46%
5Y*
6.23%
10Y*
—

RFDA

1D
-0.92%
1M
4.27%
YTD
11.40%
6M
12.25%
1Y
29.49%
3Y*
19.19%
5Y*
13.17%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESPO vs. RFDA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
ESPO
VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF		-13.31%25.79%47.61%33.64%-34.71%-2.13%83.93%42.36%-12.57%
RFDA
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF		11.40%16.42%20.12%16.98%-8.58%25.94%11.26%27.15%-11.41%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPO and RFDA is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.48

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

0.61

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

0.60

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 18, 2018

0.62

The correlation between ESPO and RFDA shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (1 year) to 0.62 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ESPO vs. RFDA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ESPO
RFDA

Communication Services

78.1%
8.8%

Consumer Cyclical

13.8%
7.0%

Technology

8.2%
19.9%

Basic Materials

-

1.8%

Consumer Defensive

-

7.6%

Energy

-

12.5%

Financial Services

-

14.7%

Healthcare

-

8.8%

Industrials

-

8.9%

Real Estate

-

5.0%

Utilities

-

5.0%

Communication Services

ESPO
78.1%
RFDA
8.8%

Consumer Cyclical

ESPO
13.8%
RFDA
7.0%

Technology

ESPO
8.2%
RFDA
19.9%

Basic Materials

ESPO

-

RFDA
1.8%

Consumer Defensive

ESPO

-

RFDA
7.6%

Energy

ESPO

-

RFDA
12.5%

Financial Services

ESPO

-

RFDA
14.7%

Healthcare

ESPO

-

RFDA
8.8%

Industrials

ESPO

-

RFDA
8.9%

Real Estate

ESPO

-

RFDA
5.0%

Utilities

ESPO

-

RFDA
5.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF

RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF

Often compared with ESPO:
ESPO vs. HEROESPO vs. ESGB.LESPO vs. GAMRESPO vs. NERDESPO vs. VGTESPO vs. MDLZESPO vs. SNSR
Often compared with RFDA:
RFDA vs. DGRORFDA vs. DIVBRFDA vs. AGGRFDA vs. BWXRFDA vs. SCHDRFDA vs. HYGRFDA vs. IAU

Return for Risk

ESPO vs. RFDA — 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: 44
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
RFDA
RFDA Risk / Return Rank: 8383
Overall Rank
RFDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7878
Sharpe Ratio Rank
RFDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 7878
Sortino Ratio Rank
RFDA Omega Ratio Rank: 7979
Omega Ratio Rank
RFDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 9090
Calmar Ratio Rank
RFDA Martin Ratio Rank: 8989
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. RFDA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA). 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.

ESPORFDADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-0.62
2.55

-3.16

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-0.75
3.52

-4.27

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.91

1.47

-0.56

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.42

5.44

-5.86

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-0.76

19.87

-20.63

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESPO vs. RFDA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPO Sharpe Ratio is -0.62, which is lower than the RFDA Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPO and RFDA, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

ESPORFDADifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.62

2.55

-3.16

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.25

0.84

-0.59

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.63

0.79

-0.16

Drawdowns

ESPO vs. RFDA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, which is greater than RFDA's maximum drawdown of -34.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and RFDA.

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Drawdown Indicators

ESPORFDADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.99%

-34.60%

-16.39%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-27.81%

-5.45%

-22.36%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-27.81%

-19.35%

-8.46%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-48.33%

-19.35%

-28.98%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-25.66%

-0.92%

-24.74%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.03%

-3.74%

-11.29%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

15.30%

1.49%

+13.81%

Volatility

ESPO vs. RFDA - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) has a higher volatility of 5.00% compared to RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) at 2.66%. This indicates that ESPO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFDA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ESPORFDADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.00%

2.66%

+2.34%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.58%

8.47%

+6.11%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.85%

11.64%

+7.21%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.12%

15.73%

+9.39%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.75%

16.85%

+8.90%

ESPO vs. RFDA - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than RFDA's 0.52% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESPO vs. RFDA - Dividend Comparison

ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.44%, less than RFDA's 1.77% yield.

PositionTTM2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
ESPO
VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF		1.44%1.24%0.44%0.96%0.91%3.36%0.12%0.22%0.04%0.00%0.00%
RFDA
RiverFront Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF		1.77%1.89%2.23%2.68%3.57%1.44%1.62%1.87%2.44%1.90%0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

ESPO and RFDA have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ESPO has higher volatility (5.00%) compared to RFDA (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs RFDA's -34.60%.

On 5-year performance, RFDA leads with 13.17% vs 6.23% for ESPO. On fees, RFDA is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, RFDA has been the lower-risk option at 2.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, RFDA has performed better with a 13.17% return vs 6.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

RFDA is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.

RFDA has the higher dividend yield at 1.77%, compared with 1.44% for ESPO.

They also come from different issuers: VanEck and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 0.52% for RFDA.

RFDA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs -0.62), 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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