IETC vs. ESPO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IETC (iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF) and ESPO (VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IETC is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by iShares, while ESPO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index. IETC is actively managed, while ESPO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IETC returned 15.73%/yr vs 5.49%/yr for ESPO. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IETC charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ESPO.

Performance

IETC vs. ESPO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC) 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, IETC achieves a 4.48% return, which is significantly higher than ESPO's -15.10% return.

IETC

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 4.48%
• 6M: 4.29%
• 1Y: 17.62%
• 3Y*: 25.69%
• 5Y*: 15.73%
• 10Y*: —

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)

IETC vs. ESPO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IETC iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF	4.48%	19.56%	37.57%	54.35%	-32.78%	29.73%	46.59%	43.09%	-13.33%
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 IETC and ESPO is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2018	0.74

The correlation between IETC and ESPO shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (1 year) to 0.74 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IETC vs. ESPO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IETC	ESPO
Technology	79.1%	8.2%
Communication Services	8.4%	78.1%
Consumer Cyclical	4.7%	13.8%
Industrials	3.7%	-
Financial Services	3.1%	-
Real Estate	0.7%	-
Healthcare	0.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IETC vs. ESPO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IETC

IETC Risk / Return Rank: 23
IETC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
IETC Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
IETC Omega Ratio Rank: 24
IETC Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
IETC Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

IETC vs. ESPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC) 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.

	IETC	ESPO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	-0.80	+1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	-1.02	+2.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	0.88	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.84	-0.54	+1.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.30	-0.94	+3.24

IETC vs. ESPO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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

IETC vs. ESPO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IETC drawdown since its inception was -38.48%, smaller than the maximum ESPO drawdown of -50.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IETC and ESPO.

Drawdown Indicators

	IETC	ESPO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.48%	-50.99%	+12.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.19%	-27.81%	+6.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.17%	-27.81%	+2.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.48%	-48.33%	+9.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.32%	-27.19%	+16.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.14%	-15.06%	+6.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.67%	15.95%	-8.28%

Volatility

IETC vs. ESPO - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF (IETC) has a higher volatility of 9.62% compared to VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) at 4.42%. This indicates that IETC'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

	IETC	ESPO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.62%	4.42%	+5.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.85%	14.67%	+3.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.11%	18.83%	+3.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.70%	25.10%	-0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.44%	25.71%	-0.27%

IETC vs. ESPO - Expense Ratio Comparison

IETC has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than ESPO's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

IETC vs. ESPO - Dividend Comparison

IETC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, less than ESPO's 1.47% 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%
IETC iShares U.S. Tech Independence Focused ETF	0.37%	0.38%	0.52%	0.79%	0.92%	0.73%	0.48%	0.95%	1.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IETC and ESPO in my portfolio?

IETC and ESPO have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IETC or ESPO?

IETC has higher volatility (9.62%) compared to ESPO (4.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IETC dropped -38.48% vs ESPO's -50.99%.

Which ETF is better, IETC or ESPO?

On 5-year performance, IETC leads with 15.73% vs 5.49% for ESPO. On fees, IETC is cheaper at 0.18% 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, IETC or ESPO?

Over the 5-year period, IETC has performed better with a 15.73% return vs 5.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IETC or ESPO?

IETC is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.

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

ESPO has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 0.37% for IETC.

What is the main difference between IETC and ESPO?

IETC is categorized as Technology Equities, while ESPO is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for IETC and 0.55% for ESPO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IETC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.80 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.