ESPO vs. WUGI

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

ESPO (VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and WUGI (Esoterica NextG Economy ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. ESPO is passively managed, while WUGI is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESPO returned 5.49%/yr vs 16.13%/yr for WUGI. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for WUGI.

Performance

ESPO vs. WUGI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESPO achieves a -15.10% return, which is significantly lower than WUGI's 23.35% return.

ESPO

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: -3.31%
• YTD: -15.10%
• 6M: -16.17%
• 1Y: -14.92%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 5.49%
• 10Y*: —

WUGI

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: 5.98%
• YTD: 23.35%
• 6M: 25.24%
• 1Y: 38.78%
• 3Y*: 33.73%
• 5Y*: 16.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

ESPO vs. WUGI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ESPO VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF	-15.10%	25.79%	47.61%	33.64%	-34.71%	-2.13%	80.05%
WUGI Esoterica NextG Economy ETF	23.35%	22.66%	47.14%	61.30%	-49.55%	25.18%	97.36%

Correlation

The correlation between ESPO and WUGI is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2020	0.80

The correlation between ESPO and WUGI shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (1 year) to 0.80 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ESPO vs. WUGI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESPO	WUGI
Communication Services	78.1%	12.1%
Consumer Cyclical	13.8%	6.3%
Technology	8.2%	70.5%
Basic Materials	-	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.1%
Energy	-	0.0%
Financial Services	-	1.8%
Healthcare	-	0.2%
Industrials	-	9.3%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ESPO vs. WUGI — 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: 3
ESPO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
ESPO Omega Ratio Rank: 4
ESPO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
ESPO Martin Ratio Rank: 5

WUGI

WUGI Risk / Return Rank: 49
WUGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
WUGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
WUGI Omega Ratio Rank: 49
WUGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
WUGI Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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. WUGI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) and Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI). 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	WUGI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.80	1.54	-2.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.02	2.08	-3.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.88	1.28	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.54	2.17	-2.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.94	7.02	-7.95

ESPO vs. WUGI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESPO Sharpe Ratio is -0.80, which is lower than the WUGI Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESPO and WUGI, 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. WUGI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, smaller than the maximum WUGI drawdown of -56.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and WUGI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESPO	WUGI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.99%	-56.41%	+5.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.81%	-17.99%	-9.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.81%	-27.49%	-0.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.33%	-56.41%	+8.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-27.19%	-3.98%	-23.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.06%	-16.61%	+1.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.95%	5.54%	+10.41%

Volatility

ESPO vs. WUGI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is 4.42%, while Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) has a volatility of 13.03%. This indicates that ESPO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WUGI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESPO	WUGI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.42%	13.03%	-8.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.67%	22.14%	-7.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.83%	25.36%	-6.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.10%	31.07%	-5.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.71%	31.09%	-5.38%

ESPO vs. WUGI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than WUGI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESPO vs. WUGI - Dividend Comparison

ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.47%, less than WUGI's 18.51% yield.

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%
WUGI Esoterica NextG Economy ETF	18.51%	22.83%	4.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESPO and WUGI in my portfolio?

ESPO and WUGI have a correlation of 0.61, 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 WUGI?

WUGI has higher volatility (13.03%) compared to ESPO (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs WUGI's -56.41%.

Which ETF is better, ESPO or WUGI?

On 5-year performance, WUGI leads with 16.13% vs 5.49% for ESPO. On fees, ESPO is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, ESPO has been the lower-risk option at 4.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESPO or WUGI?

Over the 5-year period, WUGI has performed better with a 16.13% return vs 5.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESPO or WUGI?

ESPO is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for WUGI.

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

WUGI has the higher dividend yield at 18.51%, compared with 1.47% for ESPO.

What is the main difference between ESPO and WUGI?

They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Esoterica. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 0.75% for WUGI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WUGI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 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.