ESPO vs VXUS
VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, ESPO or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ESPO led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ESPO | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $252M | $164.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.31% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 50 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | -7.12% | +12.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | -18.82% | +18.26%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.55%Best | +21.40% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.81%Best | +9.67% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.0% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.0% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,707Best | $15,865 |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 16, 2018 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 17, 2018 to Oct 2, 2026 (8 years).
ESPO vs VXUS growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 8 years both funds cover.
ESPO vs VXUS Performance
VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ESPO returned -18.82% while VXUS returned +18.26%. Year to date, ESPO is down 7.12% versus a gain of 12.44% for VXUS.
Over three years, ESPO compounded at +25.55% per year against +21.40% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +10.81% and +9.67% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, ESPO has the edge at +16.70% annualized vs +8.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ESPO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.0% compared with 15.9% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -51.0% for ESPO and -35.1% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.61. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ESPO charges 0.55% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $5 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ESPO currently yields 1.31% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 60.0% of ESPO's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 89.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, ESPO as of Sep 15, 2026 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
16 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in ESPO and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 50 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ESPO | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7974:JPNintendo Co Ltd | 7.95% | 0.11% | 7.84% |
| 7832:JPBANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc. Shs | 6.67% | 0.04% | 6.63% |
| 9697:JPCapcom Co Ltd | 6.50% | 0.02% | 6.48% |
| ALL:AUAristocrat Leisure Ltd | 5.48% | 0.05% | 5.43% |
| 9766:JPKonami Holdings Corp | 4.86% | 0.03% | 4.83% |
| CDR:PLCd Projekt Sa | 4.14% | 0.01% | 4.13% |
| 259960:KRKrafton Inc | 3.98% | 0.01% | 3.97% |
| 3293:TWInternational Games System Co Ltd | 3.77% | 0.01% | 3.76% |
| 2377:TWMicro-star International Co., Ltd. | 3.59% | 0.01% | 3.58% |
| 3659:JPNexon Co Ltd | 3.21% | 0.01% | 3.20% |
60.0% of ESPO is already inside VXUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ESPO or VXUS?
ESPO has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ESPO or VXUS?
Over the past year ESPO returned -18.82% vs +18.26% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), ESPO annualized +16.70% vs +8.98% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ESPO or VXUS?
ESPO has been the more volatile fund at 21.0% annualized versus 15.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: ESPO -51.0% vs VXUS -35.1%.
Should I hold both ESPO and VXUS?
ESPO and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.61, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ESPO and VXUS?
At least 60.0% of ESPO's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in ESPO and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, ESPO or VXUS?
ESPO yields 1.31% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than ESPO?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. ESPO led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.