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ESPO vs. VGT
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ESPO vs. VGT

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ESPO (VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESPO is a Gaming fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESPO returned 5.81%/yr vs 20.58%/yr for VGT. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VGT.

Performance

ESPO vs. VGT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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 -15.67% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 28.03% return.

ESPO

1D
-1.03%
1M
-1.94%
YTD
-15.67%
6M
-15.96%
1Y
-15.18%
3Y*
18.28%
5Y*
5.81%
10Y*
—

VGT

1D
0.39%
1M
4.11%
YTD
28.03%
6M
26.85%
1Y
54.06%
3Y*
31.77%
5Y*
20.58%
10Y*
25.96%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESPO vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
ESPO
VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF		-15.67%25.79%47.61%33.64%-34.71%-2.13%83.93%42.36%-12.49%
VGT
Vanguard Information Technology ETF		28.03%21.77%29.30%52.66%-29.70%30.45%46.04%48.62%-12.95%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPO and VGT is 0.60, 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

0.60

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

0.66

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

0.72

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

0.74

The correlation between ESPO and VGT shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.74 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ESPO vs. VGT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ESPO
VGT

Technology

55.8%
98.5%

Communication Services

29.7%
0.5%

Consumer Cyclical

14.3%
0.1%

Basic Materials

-

0.0%

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

0.3%

Financial Services

-

0.5%

Healthcare

-

0.0%

Industrials

-

0.4%

Real Estate

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Technology

ESPO
55.8%
VGT
98.5%

Communication Services

ESPO
29.7%
VGT
0.5%

Consumer Cyclical

ESPO
14.3%
VGT
0.1%

Basic Materials

ESPO

-

VGT
0.0%

Consumer Defensive

ESPO

-

VGT

-

Energy

ESPO

-

VGT
0.3%

Financial Services

ESPO

-

VGT
0.5%

Healthcare

ESPO

-

VGT
0.0%

Industrials

ESPO

-

VGT
0.4%

Real Estate

ESPO

-

VGT

-

Utilities

ESPO

-

VGT

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF

Vanguard Information Technology ETF

Often compared with ESPO:
ESPO vs. HEROESPO vs. ESGB.LESPO vs. GAMRESPO vs. NERDESPO vs. MDLZESPO vs. SNSRESPO vs. MSFT
Often compared with VGT:
VGT vs. QQQVGT vs. VOOVGT vs. QQQMVGT vs. SMHVGT vs. VUGVGT vs. FTECVGT vs. XLK

Return for Risk

ESPO vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ESPO
ESPO Risk / Return Rank: 33
Overall Rank
ESPO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ESPO Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
Sortino Ratio Rank
ESPO Omega Ratio Rank: 33
Omega Ratio Rank
ESPO Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
Calmar Ratio Rank
ESPO Martin Ratio Rank: 44
Martin Ratio Rank
VGT
VGT Risk / Return Rank: 6969
Overall Rank
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7979
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 6969
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 6868
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
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. VGT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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.

ESPOVGTDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-0.82
2.43

-3.24

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-1.05
2.99

-4.04

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.88

1.40

-0.52

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.55

3.31

-3.86

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-0.93

10.16

-11.09

ESPO vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPO Sharpe Ratio is -0.82, which is lower than the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPO and VGT, 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. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, smaller than the maximum VGT drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and VGT.

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Drawdown Indicators

ESPOVGTDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-50.99%

-54.63%

+3.64%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-27.81%

-16.40%

-11.41%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-27.81%

-27.23%

-0.58%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-48.33%

-35.07%

-13.26%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-35.07%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-27.68%

-4.18%

-23.50%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.10%

-7.95%

-7.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

16.40%

5.34%

+11.06%

Volatility

ESPO vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is 4.46%, while Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a volatility of 10.66%. This indicates that ESPO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ESPOVGTDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.46%

10.66%

-6.20%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.64%

18.19%

-3.55%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.67%

22.44%

-3.77%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.09%

25.50%

-0.41%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.68%

24.78%

+0.90%

ESPO vs. VGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than VGT's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESPO vs. VGT - Dividend Comparison

ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%, more than VGT's 0.32% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ESPO
VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF		1.48%1.24%0.44%0.96%0.91%3.36%0.12%0.22%0.04%0.00%0.00%0.00%
VGT
Vanguard Information Technology ETF		0.32%0.40%0.60%0.65%0.91%0.64%0.82%1.11%1.29%0.99%1.31%1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

ESPO and VGT have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VGT has higher volatility (10.66%) compared to ESPO (4.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs VGT's -54.63%.

On 5-year performance, VGT leads with 20.58% vs 5.81% for ESPO. On fees, VGT is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, ESPO has been the lower-risk option at 4.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, VGT has performed better with a 20.58% return vs 5.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VGT is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.

ESPO has the higher dividend yield at 1.48%, compared with 0.32% for VGT.

ESPO is categorized as Gaming, while VGT is Technology Equities. ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while VGT tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 0.09% for VGT.

VGT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs -0.82), 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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