ESPO vs. RKLB
ESPO (VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF) is Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while RKLB (Rocket Lab USA, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 3 years, ESPO returned 16.96%/yr vs 158.32%/yr for RKLB. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
ESPO vs. RKLB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESPO achieves a -15.10% return, which is significantly lower than RKLB's 46.77% return.
ESPO
- 1D
- -0.29%
- 1M
- -3.31%
- YTD
- -15.10%
- 6M
- -16.17%
- 1Y
- -14.92%
- 3Y*
- 16.96%
- 5Y*
- 5.49%
- 10Y*
- —
RKLB
- 1D
- -10.79%
- 1M
- -17.53%
- YTD
- 46.77%
- 6M
- 66.51%
- 1Y
- 287.84%
- 3Y*
- 158.32%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
ESPO vs. RKLB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESPO VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF | -15.10% | 25.79% | 47.61% | 33.64% | -34.71% | 1.17% |
RKLB Rocket Lab USA, Inc. | 46.77% | 173.89% | 360.58% | 46.68% | -69.30% | 8.67% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESPO and RKLB is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 24, 2021 | 0.49 |
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Return for Risk
ESPO vs. RKLB — Risk / Return Rank
ESPO
RKLB
ESPO vs. RKLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB). 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 | RKLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -3.92 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -4.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.88 | 1.38 | -0.50 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.54 | 6.74 | -7.28 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.94 | 15.44 | -16.37 |
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Drawdowns
ESPO vs. RKLB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, smaller than the maximum RKLB drawdown of -82.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and RKLB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESPO | RKLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.99% | -82.96% | +31.97% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -27.81% | -43.01% | +15.20% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.81% | -55.49% | +27.68% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -48.33% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -27.19% | -31.84% | +4.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.06% | -51.29% | +36.23% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 15.95% | 18.75% | -2.80% |
Volatility
ESPO vs. RKLB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is 4.42%, while Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) has a volatility of 31.54%. This indicates that ESPO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RKLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ESPO | RKLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.42% | 31.54% | -27.12% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.67% | 73.47% | -58.80% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.83% | 93.03% | -74.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.10% | 81.62% | -56.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.71% | 81.62% | -55.91% |
Dividends
ESPO vs. RKLB - Dividend Comparison
ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, while RKLB has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESPO VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF | 1.47% | 1.24% | 0.44% | 0.96% | 0.91% | 3.36% | 0.12% | 0.22% | 0.04% |
RKLB Rocket Lab USA, Inc. | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESPO and RKLB have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
RKLB has higher volatility (31.54%) compared to ESPO (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs RKLB's -82.96%.
RKLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.12 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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