NERD vs. ESPO

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

NERD (Roundhill Video Games ETF) and ESPO (VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NERD is a Gaming fund actively managed by Roundhill Investments, while ESPO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index. NERD is actively managed, while ESPO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NERD returned -8.51%/yr vs 5.49%/yr for ESPO. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NERD charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ESPO.

Performance

NERD vs. ESPO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Roundhill Video Games ETF (NERD) 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, NERD achieves a -18.01% return, which is significantly lower than ESPO's -15.10% return.

NERD

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: -3.77%
• YTD: -18.01%
• 6M: -19.37%
• 1Y: -21.07%
• 3Y*: 9.13%
• 5Y*: -8.51%
• 10Y*: —

ESPO

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: -2.74%
• YTD: -15.10%
• 6M: -16.17%
• 1Y: -14.01%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 5.49%
• 10Y*: —

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

NERD vs. ESPO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NERD Roundhill Video Games ETF	-18.01%	23.14%	28.52%	12.94%	-43.30%	-17.57%	89.66%	8.14%
ESPO VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF	-15.10%	25.79%	47.61%	33.64%	-34.71%	-2.13%	83.93%	20.68%

Correlation

The correlation between NERD and ESPO is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2019	0.87

The correlation between NERD and ESPO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

NERD vs. ESPO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NERD	ESPO
Communication Services	90.2%	29.4%
Technology	4.6%	56.2%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	14.2%
Industrials	1.3%	-
Financial Services	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NERD vs. ESPO — Risk / Return Rank

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

NERD

NERD Risk / Return Rank: 2
NERD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
NERD Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
NERD Omega Ratio Rank: 2
NERD Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
NERD Martin Ratio Rank: 3

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.

NERD vs. ESPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Roundhill Video Games ETF (NERD) 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.

	NERD	ESPO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.09	-0.80	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.50	-1.02	-0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.83	0.88	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.69	-0.54	-0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.23	-0.94	-0.29

NERD vs. ESPO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NERD Sharpe Ratio is -1.09, which is lower than the ESPO Sharpe Ratio of -0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NERD 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

NERD vs. ESPO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NERD drawdown since its inception was -65.58%, which is greater than ESPO's maximum drawdown of -50.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NERD and ESPO.

Drawdown Indicators

	NERD	ESPO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.58%	-50.99%	-14.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-31.19%	-27.81%	-3.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.19%	-27.81%	-3.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-58.08%	-48.33%	-9.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-46.82%	-27.19%	-19.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-35.92%	-15.06%	-20.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.50%	15.95%	+1.55%

Volatility

NERD vs. ESPO - Volatility Comparison

Roundhill Video Games ETF (NERD) and VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) have volatilities of 4.21% and 4.42%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NERD	ESPO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	4.42%	-0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.00%	14.67%	+0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.77%	18.83%	+0.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.51%	25.10%	-0.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.49%	25.71%	-0.22%

NERD vs. ESPO - Expense Ratio Comparison

NERD has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than ESPO's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

NERD vs. ESPO - Dividend Comparison

NERD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, 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%
NERD Roundhill Video Games ETF	0.77%	0.63%	1.74%	1.07%	0.69%	0.02%	1.05%	0.31%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NERD and ESPO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, NERD and ESPO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, NERD or ESPO?

ESPO has higher volatility (4.42%) compared to NERD (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NERD dropped -65.58% vs ESPO's -50.99%.

Which ETF is better, NERD or ESPO?

On 5-year performance, ESPO leads with 5.49% vs -8.51% for NERD. On fees, NERD is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, NERD has been the lower-risk option at 4.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NERD or ESPO?

Over the 5-year period, ESPO has performed better with a 5.49% return vs -8.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NERD or ESPO?

NERD is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.

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

ESPO has the higher dividend yield at 1.47%, compared with 0.77% for NERD.

What is the main difference between NERD and ESPO?

NERD is categorized as Gaming, while ESPO is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Roundhill Investments and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for NERD and 0.55% for ESPO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESPO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.80 vs -1.09), 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.