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AFK vs. YCS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

AFK vs. YCS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AFK (VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - AFK is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AFK returned 5.47%/yr vs 12.34%/yr for YCS. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. AFK charges 0.78%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.

Performance

AFK vs. YCS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) and ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFK achieves a 0.79% return, which is significantly lower than YCS's 7.17% return. Over the past 10 years, AFK has underperformed YCS with an annualized return of 5.47%, while YCS has yielded a comparatively higher 12.34% annualized return.

AFK

1D
-2.60%
1M
1.05%
YTD
0.79%
6M
9.04%
1Y
40.92%
3Y*
22.10%
5Y*
5.59%
10Y*
5.47%

YCS

1D
0.17%
1M
4.42%
YTD
7.17%
6M
10.05%
1Y
32.82%
3Y*
19.84%
5Y*
23.54%
10Y*
12.34%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AFK vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
AFK
VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF		0.79%74.71%12.10%-12.11%-17.31%3.00%4.26%9.90%-19.55%28.22%
YCS
ProShares UltraShort Yen		7.17%9.04%35.41%28.70%29.09%22.38%-11.18%3.37%-1.49%-6.57%

Correlation

The correlation between AFK and YCS is -0.34, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.34

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

-0.25

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.23

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.12

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2008

-0.02

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between AFK and YCS has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.02 to -0.34, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF

ProShares UltraShort Yen

Often compared with AFK:
AFK vs. EZAAFK vs. RDIVAFK vs. VOOAFK vs. FXAIXAFK vs. SMHAFK vs. VTIAFK vs. VT
Often compared with YCS:
YCS vs. YCLYCS vs. JPYUSD=XYCS vs. PFIXYCS vs. TBTYCS vs. UUPYCS vs. BCSFYCS vs. SPY

Return for Risk

AFK vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
AFK
AFK Risk / Return Rank: 4242
Overall Rank
AFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4545
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 4040
Sortino Ratio Rank
AFK Omega Ratio Rank: 4545
Omega Ratio Rank
AFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 4242
Calmar Ratio Rank
AFK Martin Ratio Rank: 4040
Martin Ratio Rank
YCS
YCS Risk / Return Rank: 6161
Overall Rank
YCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
YCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 4949
Sortino Ratio Rank
YCS Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
YCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 7878
Calmar Ratio Rank
YCS Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

AFK vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) and ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS). 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.

AFKYCSDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.60
1.92

-0.32

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.07
2.44

-0.37

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.35

-0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.10

3.97

-1.87

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.32

12.40

-6.08

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AFK vs. YCS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFK Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the YCS Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFK and YCS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

AFKYCSDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.60

1.92

-0.32

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.25

1.12

-0.87

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.25

0.65

-0.40

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.01

0.33

-0.32

Drawdowns

AFK vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFK drawdown since its inception was -62.46%, which is greater than YCS's maximum drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFK and YCS.

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Drawdown Indicators

AFKYCSDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-62.46%

-49.56%

-12.90%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-19.54%

-8.30%

-11.24%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.54%

-23.05%

+3.51%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-38.46%

-27.32%

-11.14%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-53.33%

-27.32%

-26.01%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-11.78%

0.00%

-11.78%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-32.04%

-19.93%

-12.11%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

6.50%

2.66%

+3.84%

Volatility

AFK vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) has a higher volatility of 8.57% compared to ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) at 2.75%. This indicates that AFK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than YCS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

AFKYCSDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.57%

2.75%

+5.82%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

22.48%

12.32%

+10.16%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

25.67%

17.27%

+8.40%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.09%

21.10%

+0.99%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.17%

19.01%

+3.16%

AFK vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFK has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFK vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison

AFK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, while YCS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AFK
VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF		1.01%1.02%0.00%2.27%3.59%4.17%3.91%6.34%1.71%1.99%2.67%2.16%
YCS
ProShares UltraShort Yen		0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

AFK and YCS have a correlation of -0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

AFK has higher volatility (8.57%) compared to YCS (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFK dropped -62.46% vs YCS's -49.56%.

On 10-year performance, YCS leads with 12.34% vs 5.47% for AFK. On fees, AFK is cheaper at 0.78% per year. On volatility, YCS has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, YCS has performed better with a 12.34% return vs 5.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

AFK is cheaper with a 0.78% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.

AFK has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.00% for YCS.

AFK is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. AFK tracks Dow Jones Africa Titans 50 Index, while YCS tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). They also come from different issuers: VanEck and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for AFK and 1.00% for YCS.

YCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.60), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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