QQQ vs. ESPO
QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and ESPO (VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 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, QQQ returned 14.68%/yr vs 7.15%/yr for ESPO. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for ESPO.
Performance
QQQ vs. ESPO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 13.58% return, which is significantly higher than ESPO's -11.58% return.
QQQ
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -5.91%
- 6M
- 12.30%
- YTD
- 13.58%
- 1Y
- 24.61%
- 3Y*
- 23.54%
- 5Y*
- 14.68%
- 10Y*
- 20.72%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.70%
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%
QQQ vs. ESPO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 13.58% | 20.77% | 25.58% | 54.86% | -32.58% | 27.42% | 48.62% | 38.96% | -12.71% |
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 QQQ and ESPO is 0.58, 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 | 0.58 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.66 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2018 | 0.75 |
The correlation between QQQ and ESPO shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.75 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
QQQ vs. ESPO - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
QQQ
ESPO
Technology
Communication Services
Consumer Cyclical
Consumer Defensive
-
Healthcare
-
Industrials
-
Utilities
-
Basic Materials
-
Energy
-
Financial Services
-
Real Estate
-
Technology
QQQ
ESPO
Communication Services
QQQ
ESPO
Consumer Cyclical
QQQ
ESPO
Consumer Defensive
QQQ
ESPO
-
Healthcare
QQQ
ESPO
-
Industrials
QQQ
ESPO
-
Utilities
QQQ
ESPO
-
Basic Materials
QQQ
ESPO
-
Energy
QQQ
ESPO
-
Financial Services
QQQ
ESPO
-
Real Estate
QQQ
ESPO
-
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Return for Risk
QQQ vs. ESPO — Risk / Return Rank
QQQ
ESPO
QQQ vs. ESPO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) 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.
| QQQ | ESPO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.12 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.87 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 0.88 | +0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.07 | -0.51 | +2.58 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.22 | -0.84 | +8.07 |
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Drawdowns
QQQ vs. ESPO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than ESPO's maximum drawdown of -50.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and ESPO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QQQ | ESPO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -82.97% | -50.99% | -31.98% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.96% | -29.43% | +17.47% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.77% | -29.43% | +6.66% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.12% | -48.33% | +13.21% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.12% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.61% | -24.17% | +17.56% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -32.65% | -15.19% | -17.46% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.42% | 17.77% | -14.35% |
Volatility
QQQ vs. ESPO - Volatility Comparison
Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a higher volatility of 7.41% compared to VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) at 4.77%. This indicates that QQQ'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
| QQQ | ESPO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.41% | 4.77% | +2.64% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.55% | 15.06% | +0.49% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.78% | 18.71% | +0.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.81% | 25.09% | -2.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.45% | 25.61% | -3.16% |
QQQ vs. ESPO - Expense Ratio Comparison
QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than ESPO's 0.55% expense ratio.
Dividends
QQQ vs. ESPO - Dividend Comparison
QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less 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% |
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 0.44% | 0.45% | 0.56% | 0.62% | 0.80% | 0.43% | 0.55% | 0.74% | 0.91% | 0.84% | 1.06% | 0.99% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QQQ and ESPO have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QQQ has higher volatility (7.41%) compared to ESPO (4.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs ESPO's -50.99%.
On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 14.68% vs 7.15% for ESPO. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% 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, QQQ has performed better with a 14.68% return vs 7.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for ESPO.
ESPO has the higher dividend yield at 1.41%, compared with 0.44% for QQQ.
QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while ESPO is Gaming. QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.55% for ESPO.
QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 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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