IXC vs. ESPO
IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) and ESPO (VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while ESPO is a Gaming fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IXC returned 21.62%/yr vs 7.15%/yr for ESPO. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IXC charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ESPO.
Performance
IXC vs. ESPO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IXC achieves a 29.64% return, which is significantly higher than ESPO's -11.58% return.
IXC
- 1D
- 0.24%
- 1M
- 7.63%
- 6M
- 22.98%
- YTD
- 29.64%
- 1Y
- 39.73%
- 3Y*
- 15.82%
- 5Y*
- 21.62%
- 10Y*
- 9.55%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.36%
ESPO
- 1D
- 0.44%
- 1M
- 3.78%
- 6M
- -13.33%
- YTD
- -11.58%
- 1Y
- -14.95%
- 3Y*
- 18.26%
- 5Y*
- 7.15%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 16.24%
IXC vs. ESPO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXC iShares Global Energy ETF | 29.64% | 13.98% | 1.95% | 3.92% | 48.51% | 40.88% | -31.00% | 12.67% | -18.39% |
ESPO VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF | -11.58% | 25.79% | 47.61% | 33.64% | -34.71% | -2.13% | 83.93% | 42.36% | -12.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between IXC and ESPO is -0.06, 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 | -0.06 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2018 | 0.25 |
The correlation between IXC and ESPO shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (1 year) to 0.25 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
IXC vs. ESPO - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
IXC
ESPO
Energy
-
Utilities
-
Basic Materials
-
-
Communication Services
-
Consumer Cyclical
-
Consumer Defensive
-
-
Financial Services
-
-
Healthcare
-
-
Industrials
-
-
Real Estate
-
-
Technology
-
Energy
IXC
ESPO
-
Utilities
IXC
ESPO
-
Basic Materials
IXC
-
ESPO
-
Communication Services
IXC
-
ESPO
Consumer Cyclical
IXC
-
ESPO
Consumer Defensive
IXC
-
ESPO
-
Financial Services
IXC
-
ESPO
-
Healthcare
IXC
-
ESPO
-
Industrials
IXC
-
ESPO
-
Real Estate
IXC
-
ESPO
-
Technology
IXC
-
ESPO
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Return for Risk
IXC vs. ESPO — Risk / Return Rank
IXC
ESPO
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 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.
| IXC | ESPO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.87 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.71 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 0.88 | +0.46 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.60 | -0.51 | +3.11 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.11 | -0.84 | +8.95 |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IXC | ESPO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -67.88% | -50.99% | -16.89% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.36% | -29.43% | +14.07% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.06% | -29.43% | +10.37% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.70% | -24.17% | +17.47% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.44% | -15.19% | -2.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.91% | 17.77% | -12.86% |
Volatility
IXC vs. ESPO - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) has a higher volatility of 6.05% compared to VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) at 4.77%. 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.
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Volatility by Period
| IXC | ESPO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.05% | 4.77% | +1.28% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.78% | 15.06% | +0.72% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.38% | 18.71% | +0.67% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.39% | 25.09% | -1.70% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.82% | 25.61% | +1.21% |
IXC vs. ESPO - Expense Ratio Comparison
IXC has a 0.40% 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 2.93%, more than ESPO's 1.41% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESPO VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF | 1.41% | 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 | 2.93% | 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
IXC and ESPO have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IXC has higher volatility (6.05%) compared to ESPO (4.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs ESPO's -50.99%.
On 5-year performance, IXC leads with 21.62% vs 7.15% for ESPO. On fees, IXC is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, ESPO has been the lower-risk option at 4.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, IXC has performed better with a 21.62% return vs 7.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IXC is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.
IXC has the higher dividend yield at 2.93%, compared with 1.41% for ESPO.
IXC is categorized as Energy Equities, while ESPO is Gaming. IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IXC and 0.55% for ESPO.
IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 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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