IAI vs. ESPO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IAI (iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF) and ESPO (VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IAI is a Financials Equities fund tracking the DJ US Select / Investment Services, 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, IAI returned 14.44%/yr vs 5.49%/yr for ESPO. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IAI charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ESPO.

Performance

IAI vs. ESPO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) and VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IAI achieves a 3.17% return, which is significantly higher than ESPO's -15.10% return.

IAI

• 1D: 1.83%
• 1M: 3.22%
• YTD: 3.17%
• 6M: 2.78%
• 1Y: 19.26%
• 3Y*: 28.06%
• 5Y*: 14.44%
• 10Y*: 19.37%

ESPO

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

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

IAI vs. ESPO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	3.17%	25.80%	34.37%	15.27%	-10.87%	40.48%	18.61%	24.26%	-8.71%
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 IAI and ESPO is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2018	0.51

The correlation between IAI and ESPO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

IAI vs. ESPO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IAI	ESPO
Financial Services	99.9%	-
Technology	0.1%	8.2%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	78.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	13.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IAI vs. ESPO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAI

IAI Risk / Return Rank: 29
IAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
IAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
IAI Omega Ratio Rank: 29
IAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
IAI Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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

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.

IAI vs. ESPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) 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.

	IAI	ESPO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	-0.80	+1.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.43	-1.02	+2.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	0.88	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.17	-0.54	+1.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.33	-0.94	+4.26

IAI vs. ESPO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAI Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is higher than the ESPO Sharpe Ratio of -0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAI 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.

Drawdowns

IAI vs. ESPO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAI drawdown since its inception was -75.46%, which is greater than ESPO's maximum drawdown of -50.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAI and ESPO.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAI	ESPO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.46%	-50.99%	-24.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.52%	-27.81%	+11.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.14%	-27.81%	+4.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.84%	-48.33%	+19.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.81%	-27.19%	+24.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.63%	-15.06%	-7.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.80%	15.95%	-10.15%

Volatility

IAI vs. ESPO - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) has a higher volatility of 5.98% compared to VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) at 4.42%. This indicates that IAI'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.

Volatility by Period

	IAI	ESPO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.98%	4.42%	+1.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.34%	14.67%	+0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.44%	18.83%	+0.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.48%	25.10%	-3.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.85%	25.71%	-2.86%

IAI vs. ESPO - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAI has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is lower than ESPO's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAI vs. ESPO - Dividend Comparison

IAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than ESPO's 1.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
IAI iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF	1.05%	0.95%	1.05%	1.80%	2.14%	1.31%	1.55%	1.52%	1.58%	1.37%	1.49%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAI and ESPO in my portfolio?

IAI and ESPO 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.

Which is riskier, IAI or ESPO?

IAI has higher volatility (5.98%) compared to ESPO (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAI dropped -75.46% vs ESPO's -50.99%.

Which ETF is better, IAI or ESPO?

On 5-year performance, IAI leads with 14.44% vs 5.49% for ESPO. On fees, IAI is cheaper at 0.41% 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, IAI or ESPO?

Over the 5-year period, IAI has performed better with a 14.44% return vs 5.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAI or ESPO?

IAI is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.

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

ESPO has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 1.05% for IAI.

What is the main difference between IAI and ESPO?

IAI is categorized as Financials Equities, while ESPO is Large Cap Growth Equities. IAI tracks DJ US Select / Investment Services, while ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for IAI and 0.55% for ESPO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.00 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.