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FDD vs. ESPO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FDD vs. ESPO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

FDD (First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund) and ESPO (VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FDD is a Europe Equities fund tracking the STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30, while ESPO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FDD returned 11.32%/yr vs 5.49%/yr for ESPO. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FDD charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ESPO.

Performance

FDD vs. ESPO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) and VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDD achieves a 13.65% return, which is significantly higher than ESPO's -15.10% return.

FDD

1D
0.81%
1M
1.80%
YTD
13.65%
6M
17.76%
1Y
33.97%
3Y*
26.21%
5Y*
11.32%
10Y*
10.93%

ESPO

1D
-0.29%
1M
-2.74%
YTD
-15.10%
6M
-16.17%
1Y
-14.01%
3Y*
16.96%
5Y*
5.49%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FDD vs. ESPO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
FDD
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund		13.65%62.50%0.28%14.16%-16.14%16.03%-3.80%23.79%-5.92%
ESPO
VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF		-15.10%25.79%47.61%33.64%-34.71%-2.13%83.93%42.36%-12.49%

Correlation

The correlation between FDD and ESPO is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.50

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

0.52

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

0.54

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

0.49

The correlation between FDD and ESPO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.49 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

FDD vs. ESPO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FDD
ESPO

Financial Services

52.2%

-

Industrials

12.5%

-

Consumer Cyclical

12.3%
13.8%

Energy

10.8%

-

Utilities

6.0%

-

Consumer Defensive

3.7%

-

Real Estate

3.5%

-

Basic Materials

2.9%

-

Communication Services

2.1%
78.1%

Healthcare

-

-

Technology

-

8.2%

Financial Services

FDD
52.2%
ESPO

-

Industrials

FDD
12.5%
ESPO

-

Consumer Cyclical

FDD
12.3%
ESPO
13.8%

Energy

FDD
10.8%
ESPO

-

Utilities

FDD
6.0%
ESPO

-

Consumer Defensive

FDD
3.7%
ESPO

-

Real Estate

FDD
3.5%
ESPO

-

Basic Materials

FDD
2.9%
ESPO

-

Communication Services

FDD
2.1%
ESPO
78.1%

Healthcare

FDD

-

ESPO

-

Technology

FDD

-

ESPO
8.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund

VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF

Often compared with FDD:
FDD vs. EUFNFDD vs. FLAXFDD vs. VTIFDD vs. RFEUFDD vs. IQDFFDD vs. DVYFDD vs. IEUR
Often compared with ESPO:
ESPO vs. HEROESPO vs. ESGB.LESPO vs. GAMRESPO vs. NERDESPO vs. VGTESPO vs. MDLZESPO vs. SNSR

Return for Risk

FDD vs. ESPO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FDD
FDD Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
FDD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FDD Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
FDD Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
FDD Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
FDD Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
ESPO
ESPO Risk / Return Rank: 44
Overall Rank
ESPO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
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
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.

FDD vs. ESPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) and VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO). 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.

FDDESPODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.11
-0.80

+2.91

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.91
-1.02

+3.93

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.36

0.88

+0.48

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.58

-0.54

+4.12

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.88

-0.94

+12.81

FDD vs. ESPO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDD Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is higher than the ESPO Sharpe Ratio of -0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDD and ESPO, 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

FDD vs. ESPO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDD drawdown since its inception was -74.77%, which is greater than ESPO's maximum drawdown of -50.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDD and ESPO.

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Drawdown Indicators

FDDESPODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-74.77%

-50.99%

-23.78%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.39%

-27.81%

+18.42%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.06%

-27.81%

+14.75%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-35.11%

-48.33%

+13.22%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.43%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.40%

-27.19%

+26.79%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-35.41%

-15.06%

-20.35%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.83%

15.95%

-13.12%

Volatility

FDD vs. ESPO - Volatility Comparison

First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD) has a higher volatility of 5.91% compared to VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) at 4.42%. This indicates that FDD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESPO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FDDESPODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.91%

4.42%

+1.49%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.98%

14.67%

-1.69%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.93%

18.83%

-2.90%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.48%

25.10%

-6.62%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.16%

25.71%

-5.55%

FDD vs. ESPO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDD has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than ESPO's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDD vs. ESPO - Dividend Comparison

FDD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.48%, more than ESPO's 1.47% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%0.00%0.00%0.00%
FDD
First Trust STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund		3.48%3.99%7.65%6.85%6.07%3.44%4.01%4.69%5.05%2.78%4.88%4.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

FDD and ESPO have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FDD has higher volatility (5.91%) compared to ESPO (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDD dropped -74.77% vs ESPO's -50.99%.

On 5-year performance, FDD leads with 11.32% 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.

Over the 5-year period, FDD has performed better with a 11.32% return vs 5.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

ESPO is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for FDD.

FDD has the higher dividend yield at 3.48%, compared with 1.47% for ESPO.

FDD is categorized as Europe Equities, while ESPO is Large Cap Growth Equities. FDD tracks STOXX Europe Select Dividend 30, while ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for FDD and 0.55% for ESPO.

FDD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 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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