ESPO vs. SOXX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESPO (VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESPO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while SOXX is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESPO returned 6.23%/yr vs 34.50%/yr for SOXX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SOXX.

Performance

ESPO vs. SOXX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESPO achieves a -13.31% return, which is significantly lower than SOXX's 104.57% return.

ESPO

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

SOXX

• 1D: 1.76%
• 1M: 33.25%
• YTD: 104.57%
• 6M: 99.43%
• 1Y: 190.05%
• 3Y*: 57.39%
• 5Y*: 34.50%
• 10Y*: 35.79%

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

ESPO vs. SOXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	104.57%	40.74%	12.92%	67.12%	-35.09%	44.09%	52.72%	62.42%	-9.13%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPO and SOXX is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 18, 2018	0.69

Over the past year, the correlation between ESPO and SOXX has dropped to 0.45 - well below their long-term average of 0.69, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ESPO vs. SOXX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESPO	SOXX
Communication Services	78.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	13.8%	-
Technology	8.2%	100.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ESPO vs. SOXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESPO

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

SOXX

SOXX Risk / Return Rank: 97
SOXX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
SOXX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
SOXX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
SOXX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
SOXX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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. SOXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX). 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.

	ESPO	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.62	5.61	-6.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.75	5.36	-6.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.74	-0.83
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.42	12.13	-12.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.76	46.43	-47.19
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. SOXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPO Sharpe Ratio is -0.62, which is lower than the SOXX Sharpe Ratio of 5.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPO and SOXX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ESPO	SOXX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.62	5.61	-6.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.96	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.07	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.45	+0.18

Drawdowns

ESPO vs. SOXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, smaller than the maximum SOXX drawdown of -70.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and SOXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESPO	SOXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.99%	-70.21%	+19.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.81%	-15.77%	-12.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.81%	-41.36%	+13.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.33%	-45.75%	-2.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.66%	0.00%	-25.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.03%	-19.97%	+4.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.30%	4.11%	+11.19%

Volatility

ESPO vs. SOXX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is 5.00%, while iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) has a volatility of 14.03%. This indicates that ESPO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESPO	SOXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.00%	14.03%	-9.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.58%	27.35%	-12.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.85%	34.18%	-15.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.12%	36.11%	-10.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.75%	33.43%	-7.68%

ESPO vs. SOXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than SOXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESPO vs. SOXX - Dividend Comparison

ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.44%, more than SOXX's 0.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%
SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF	0.27%	0.57%	0.67%	0.78%	1.26%	0.64%	0.81%	1.23%	1.37%	0.90%	1.08%	1.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESPO and SOXX in my portfolio?

ESPO and SOXX have a correlation of 0.45, 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 SOXX?

SOXX has higher volatility (14.03%) compared to ESPO (5.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs SOXX's -70.21%.

Which ETF is better, ESPO or SOXX?

On 5-year performance, SOXX leads with 34.50% vs 6.23% for ESPO. On fees, SOXX is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, ESPO has been the lower-risk option at 5.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESPO or SOXX?

Over the 5-year period, SOXX has performed better with a 34.50% return vs 6.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESPO or SOXX?

SOXX is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.

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

ESPO has the higher dividend yield at 1.44%, compared with 0.27% for SOXX.

What is the main difference between ESPO and SOXX?

ESPO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SOXX is Semiconductors. ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while SOXX tracks NYSE Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 0.34% for SOXX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.61 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.