NERD vs. HERO

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

NERD (Roundhill Video Games ETF) and HERO (Global X Video Games & Esports ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NERD is a Gaming fund actively managed by Roundhill Investments, while HERO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Solactive Video Games & Esports Index. NERD is actively managed, while HERO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NERD returned -6.22%/yr vs -3.49%/yr for HERO. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.50% expense ratio.

Performance

NERD vs. HERO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Roundhill Video Games ETF (NERD) and Global X Video Games & Esports ETF (HERO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with NERD having a -14.31% return and HERO slightly lower at -14.84%.

NERD

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 4.52%
• 6M: -15.76%
• YTD: -14.31%
• 1Y: -17.56%
• 3Y*: 10.18%
• 5Y*: -6.22%
• 10Y*: —

HERO

• 1D: -1.04%
• 1M: 2.80%
• 6M: -17.56%
• YTD: -14.84%
• 1Y: -17.58%
• 3Y*: 7.41%
• 5Y*: -3.49%
• 10Y*: —

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

NERD vs. HERO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NERD Roundhill Video Games ETF	-14.31%	23.14%	28.52%	12.94%	-43.30%	-17.57%	89.66%	6.63%
HERO Global X Video Games & Esports ETF	-14.84%	28.74%	17.65%	8.36%	-33.42%	-8.37%	91.02%	9.12%

Correlation

The correlation between NERD and HERO is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2019	0.86

The correlation between NERD and HERO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

NERD vs. HERO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NERD	HERO
Communication Services	90.2%	91.6%
Technology	4.6%	7.0%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	-
Industrials	1.3%	1.5%
Financial Services	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

NERD vs. HERO — Risk / Return Rank

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

NERD

NERD Risk / Return Rank: 4
NERD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
NERD Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
NERD Omega Ratio Rank: 3
NERD Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
NERD Martin Ratio Rank: 5

HERO

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

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. HERO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Roundhill Video Games ETF (NERD) and Global X Video Games & Esports ETF (HERO). 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	HERO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.89	-0.90	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.18	-1.16	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	0.86	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.53	-0.57	+0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.91	-1.06	+0.15

NERD vs. HERO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NERD Sharpe Ratio is -0.89, which is comparable to the HERO Sharpe Ratio of -0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NERD and HERO, 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. HERO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NERD drawdown since its inception was -65.58%, which is greater than HERO's maximum drawdown of -54.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NERD and HERO.

Drawdown Indicators

	NERD	HERO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.58%	-54.02%	-11.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.23%	-30.78%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.23%	-30.78%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.79%	-46.57%	-8.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-44.42%	-28.34%	-16.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-36.02%	-26.01%	-10.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	19.25%	16.55%	+2.70%

Volatility

NERD vs. HERO - Volatility Comparison

Roundhill Video Games ETF (NERD) has a higher volatility of 5.51% compared to Global X Video Games & Esports ETF (HERO) at 5.24%. This indicates that NERD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HERO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NERD	HERO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.51%	5.24%	+0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.65%	15.72%	-0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.82%	19.67%	+0.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.57%	23.40%	+1.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.44%	24.41%	+1.03%

NERD vs. HERO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both NERD and HERO have an expense ratio of 0.50%.

Dividends

NERD vs. HERO - Dividend Comparison

NERD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.74%, less than HERO's 1.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
HERO Global X Video Games & Esports ETF	1.83%	1.62%	1.06%	0.73%	0.28%	0.79%	0.71%	0.17%
NERD Roundhill Video Games ETF	0.74%	0.63%	1.74%	1.07%	0.69%	0.02%	1.05%	0.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NERD and HERO in my portfolio?

NERD and HERO have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NERD or HERO?

NERD has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to HERO (5.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NERD dropped -65.58% vs HERO's -54.02%.

Which ETF is better, NERD or HERO?

On 5-year performance, HERO leads with -3.49% vs -6.22% for NERD. Both ETFs have the same 0.50% expense ratio. On volatility, HERO has been the lower-risk option at 5.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NERD or HERO?

Over the 5-year period, HERO has performed better with a -3.49% return vs -6.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NERD or HERO?

NERD and HERO have the same expense ratio: 0.50% per year.

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

HERO has the higher dividend yield at 1.83%, compared with 0.74% for NERD.

What is the main difference between NERD and HERO?

NERD is categorized as Gaming, while HERO is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Roundhill Investments and Global X.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NERD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.89 vs -0.90), 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.