IXC vs. ESPO

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) and ESPO (VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Energy Sector Index, 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, IXC returned 19.39%/yr vs 5.88%/yr for ESPO. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IXC charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ESPO.

Performance

IXC vs. ESPO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) 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, IXC achieves a 30.67% return, which is significantly higher than ESPO's -14.87% return.

IXC

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: 3.26%
• YTD: 30.67%
• 6M: 30.15%
• 1Y: 46.37%
• 3Y*: 17.70%
• 5Y*: 19.39%
• 10Y*: 10.03%

ESPO

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -2.48%
• YTD: -14.87%
• 6M: -18.35%
• 1Y: -15.00%
• 3Y*: 18.27%
• 5Y*: 5.88%
• 10Y*: —

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

IXC vs. ESPO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF	30.67%	13.98%	1.95%	3.92%	48.51%	40.88%	-31.00%	12.67%	-17.74%
ESPO VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF	-14.87%	25.79%	47.61%	33.64%	-34.71%	-2.13%	83.93%	42.36%	-12.57%

Correlation

The correlation between IXC and ESPO is -0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 18, 2018	0.26

The correlation between IXC and ESPO shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (1 year) to 0.26 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IXC vs. ESPO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IXC	ESPO
Energy	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	78.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	13.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	8.2%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

IXC vs. ESPO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IXC

IXC Risk / Return Rank: 82
IXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
IXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
IXC Omega Ratio Rank: 76
IXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
IXC Martin Ratio Rank: 80

ESPO

ESPO Risk / Return Rank: 4
ESPO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
ESPO Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
ESPO Omega Ratio Rank: 3
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.

IXC vs. ESPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) 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.

	IXC	ESPO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	-0.80	+3.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	-1.03	+4.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	0.88	+0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.82	-0.54	+5.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.26	-0.96	+15.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IXC vs. ESPO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXC Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is higher than the ESPO Sharpe Ratio of -0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXC 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IXC	ESPO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	-0.80	+3.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.24	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.62	-0.30

Drawdowns

IXC vs. ESPO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXC drawdown since its inception was -67.88%, which is greater than ESPO's maximum drawdown of -50.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXC and ESPO.

Drawdown Indicators

	IXC	ESPO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.88%	-50.99%	-16.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.66%	-27.81%	+18.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.06%	-27.81%	+8.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.93%	-48.33%	+23.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-64.16%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.96%	-26.99%	+21.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.47%	-15.05%	-2.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.26%	15.58%	-12.32%

Volatility

IXC vs. ESPO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) has a higher volatility of 6.55% compared to VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) at 4.84%. This indicates that IXC'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

	IXC	ESPO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.55%	4.84%	+1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.51%	14.65%	+0.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.79%	18.85%	-0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.52%	25.11%	-1.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.85%	25.74%	+1.11%

IXC vs. ESPO - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXC has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than ESPO's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXC vs. ESPO - Dividend Comparison

IXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%, more than ESPO's 1.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESPO VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF	1.46%	1.24%	0.44%	0.96%	0.91%	3.36%	0.12%	0.22%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF	2.82%	3.68%	4.56%	3.45%	4.76%	3.98%	4.86%	7.00%	3.51%	3.05%	2.86%	3.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IXC and ESPO in my portfolio?

IXC and ESPO have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IXC or ESPO?

IXC has higher volatility (6.55%) compared to ESPO (4.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs ESPO's -50.99%.

Which ETF is better, IXC or ESPO?

On 5-year performance, IXC leads with 19.39% vs 5.88% for ESPO. On fees, IXC is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, ESPO has been the lower-risk option at 4.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IXC or ESPO?

Over the 5-year period, IXC has performed better with a 19.39% return vs 5.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IXC or ESPO?

IXC is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.

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

IXC has the higher dividend yield at 2.82%, compared with 1.46% for ESPO.

What is the main difference between IXC and ESPO?

IXC is categorized as Energy Equities, while ESPO is Large Cap Growth Equities. IXC tracks S&P Global Energy Sector Index, while ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXC and 0.55% for ESPO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 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.