ARLU vs. YCS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

ARLU (Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - ARLU is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Allianz, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). ARLU is actively managed, while YCS is passively managed. Over the past year, ARLU returned 18.18% vs 31.36% for YCS. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. ARLU charges 0.74%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.

Performance

ARLU vs. YCS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF (ARLU) and ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ARLU achieves a 5.16% return, which is significantly lower than YCS's 9.78% return.

ARLU

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: 5.16%
• 6M: 4.76%
• 1Y: 18.18%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

YCS

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 3.71%
• YTD: 9.78%
• 6M: 9.63%
• 1Y: 31.36%
• 3Y*: 18.43%
• 5Y*: 23.50%
• 10Y*: 13.63%

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

ARLU vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ARLU Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF	5.16%	11.27%	8.80%
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen	9.78%	9.04%	14.09%

Correlation

The correlation between ARLU and YCS is -0.20, 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	-0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2024	-0.01

The correlation between ARLU and YCS shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (1 year) to -0.01 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ARLU vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank

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

ARLU

ARLU Risk / Return Rank: 45
ARLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
ARLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
ARLU Omega Ratio Rank: 46
ARLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
ARLU Martin Ratio Rank: 50

YCS

YCS Risk / Return Rank: 61
YCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
YCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
YCS Omega Ratio Rank: 57
YCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
YCS Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

ARLU vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF (ARLU) 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.

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.

	ARLU	YCS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	1.86	-0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	2.37	-0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.35	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	3.79	-1.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.27	11.86	-3.59

ARLU vs. YCS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ARLU Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is comparable to the YCS Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ARLU 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.

Drawdowns

ARLU vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ARLU drawdown since its inception was -15.38%, smaller than the maximum YCS drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ARLU and YCS.

Drawdown Indicators

	ARLU	YCS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.38%	-49.56%	+34.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.66%	-8.30%	-1.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.05%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.32%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-27.32%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.70%	0.00%	-1.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.23%	-19.88%	+17.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.20%	2.65%	-0.45%

Volatility

ARLU vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison

Allianzim U.S. Equity Buffer15 Uncapped Apr ETF (ARLU) has a higher volatility of 3.79% compared to ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) at 2.22%. This indicates that ARLU'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.

Volatility by Period

	ARLU	YCS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.79%	2.22%	+1.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.22%	12.19%	-2.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.58%	16.96%	-5.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.64%	21.10%	-8.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.64%	18.96%	-6.32%

ARLU vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison

ARLU has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

ARLU vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison

Neither ARLU nor YCS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ARLU and YCS in my portfolio?

ARLU and YCS have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ARLU or YCS?

ARLU has higher volatility (3.79%) compared to YCS (2.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ARLU dropped -15.38% vs YCS's -49.56%.

Which ETF is better, ARLU or YCS?

On 1-year performance, YCS leads with 31.36% vs 18.18% for ARLU. On fees, ARLU is cheaper at 0.74% per year. On volatility, YCS has been the lower-risk option at 2.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ARLU or YCS?

Over the 1-year period, YCS has performed better with a 31.36% return vs 18.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ARLU or YCS?

ARLU is cheaper with a 0.74% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ARLU or YCS?

ARLU and YCS have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between ARLU and YCS?

ARLU is categorized as Options Trading, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. They also come from different issuers: Allianz and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for ARLU and 1.00% for YCS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

YCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.58), 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.