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HERO vs. IUSG
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

HERO vs. IUSG

Last updated Aug 4, 2026
Documentation

HERO (Global X Video Games & Esports ETF) and IUSG (iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - HERO tracks the Solactive Video Games & Esports Index while IUSG tracks the S&P 900 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HERO returned -1.39%/yr vs 13.30%/yr for IUSG. Their 0.64 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. HERO charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for IUSG.

Performance

HERO vs. IUSG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X Video Games & Esports ETF (HERO) and iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HERO achieves a -10.56% return, which is significantly lower than IUSG's 12.72% return.

HERO

1D
1.40%
1M
4.91%
6M
-9.80%
YTD
-10.56%
1Y
-13.47%
3Y*
10.27%
5Y*
-1.39%
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
9.68%

IUSG

1D
2.17%
1M
1.92%
6M
11.50%
YTD
12.72%
1Y
24.41%
3Y*
25.35%
5Y*
13.30%
10Y*
17.20%
ALL TIME*
8.19%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

HERO

Global X Video Games & Esports ETF
$881.17K$612.17K$690.19K

IUSG

iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF
$105.73M$92.27M$99.82M

HERO vs. IUSG - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
HERO
Global X Video Games & Esports ETF		-10.56%28.74%17.65%8.36%-33.42%-8.37%91.02%9.12%
IUSG
iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF		12.72%21.23%34.70%29.28%-28.81%31.26%32.65%6.06%

Correlation

The correlation between HERO and IUSG is 0.52, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.52

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.55

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.62

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2019

0.64

The correlation between HERO and IUSG shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.64 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HERO vs. IUSG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
HERO
IUSG

Communication Services

92.0%
14.9%

Technology

6.7%
50.9%

Industrials

1.4%
7.7%

Basic Materials

-

0.5%

Consumer Cyclical

-

8.5%

Consumer Defensive

-

1.0%

Energy

-

0.2%

Financial Services

-

8.6%

Healthcare

-

6.5%

Real Estate

-

0.8%

Utilities

-

0.4%

Communication Services

HERO
92.0%
IUSG
14.9%

Technology

HERO
6.7%
IUSG
50.9%

Industrials

HERO
1.4%
IUSG
7.7%

Basic Materials

HERO

-

IUSG
0.5%

Consumer Cyclical

HERO

-

IUSG
8.5%

Consumer Defensive

HERO

-

IUSG
1.0%

Energy

HERO

-

IUSG
0.2%

Financial Services

HERO

-

IUSG
8.6%

Healthcare

HERO

-

IUSG
6.5%

Real Estate

HERO

-

IUSG
0.8%

Utilities

HERO

-

IUSG
0.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Global X Video Games & Esports ETF

iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF

Often compared with HERO:
HERO vs. ESPOHERO vs. NERDHERO vs. GAMRHERO vs. FVALHERO vs. FINXHERO vs. ESPO.LHERO vs. XOM
Often compared with IUSG:
IUSG vs. IUSVIUSG vs. SCHGIUSG vs. VUGIUSG vs. QQQIUSG vs. IVWIUSG vs. IVVIUSG vs. VOOG

Return for Risk

HERO vs. IUSG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
HERO
HERO Risk / Return Rank: 55
Overall Rank
HERO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
Sharpe Ratio Rank
HERO Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
Sortino Ratio Rank
HERO Omega Ratio Rank: 44
Omega Ratio Rank
HERO Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
Calmar Ratio Rank
HERO Martin Ratio Rank: 66
Martin Ratio Rank
IUSG
IUSG Risk / Return Rank: 5454
Overall Rank
IUSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IUSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 5555
Sortino Ratio Rank
IUSG Omega Ratio Rank: 5252
Omega Ratio Rank
IUSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 5252
Calmar Ratio Rank
IUSG Martin Ratio Rank: 5757
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

HERO vs. IUSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Video Games & Esports ETF (HERO) and iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG). 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.

HEROIUSGDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-0.66
1.38

-2.03

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-0.80
1.95

-2.75

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.90

1.24

-0.34

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.44

1.88

-2.32

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-0.76

6.96

-7.72

HERO vs. IUSG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HERO Sharpe Ratio is -0.66, which is lower than the IUSG Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HERO and IUSG, 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

HERO vs. IUSG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HERO drawdown since its inception was -54.02%, smaller than the maximum IUSG drawdown of -63.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HERO and IUSG.

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Drawdown Indicators

HEROIUSGDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-54.02%

-63.41%

+9.39%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-30.78%

-13.07%

-17.71%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-30.78%

-22.28%

-8.50%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-46.42%

-32.21%

-14.21%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-32.35%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-24.74%

-2.17%

-22.57%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-26.02%

-21.33%

-4.69%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

17.64%

3.52%

+14.12%

Volatility

HERO vs. IUSG - Volatility Comparison

Global X Video Games & Esports ETF (HERO) has a higher volatility of 7.39% compared to iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF (IUSG) at 6.24%. This indicates that HERO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IUSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

HEROIUSGDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.39%

6.24%

+1.15%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.13%

14.68%

+1.45%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.63%

17.84%

+2.79%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

23.48%

21.22%

+2.26%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

24.45%

20.55%

+3.90%

HERO vs. IUSG - Expense Ratio Comparison

HERO has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IUSG's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

HERO vs. IUSG - Dividend Comparison

HERO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.74%, more than IUSG's 0.49% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
HERO
Global X Video Games & Esports ETF		1.74%1.62%1.06%0.73%0.28%0.79%0.71%0.17%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
IUSG
iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF		0.49%0.53%0.59%1.12%1.07%0.59%0.93%1.64%1.32%1.28%1.48%1.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

HERO and IUSG have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

HERO has higher volatility (7.39%) compared to IUSG (6.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HERO dropped -54.02% vs IUSG's -63.41%.

On 5-year performance, IUSG leads with 13.30% vs -1.39% for HERO. On fees, IUSG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, IUSG has been the lower-risk option at 6.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, IUSG has performed better with a 13.30% return vs -1.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IUSG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for HERO.

HERO has the higher dividend yield at 1.74%, compared with 0.49% for IUSG.

HERO tracks Solactive Video Games & Esports Index, while IUSG tracks S&P 900 Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for HERO and 0.04% for IUSG.

IUSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs -0.66), 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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