DAUG vs. YCS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DAUG (FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - DAUG is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the S&P 500, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DAUG returned 6.27%/yr vs 23.52%/yr for YCS. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DAUG charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.

Performance

DAUG vs. YCS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG) 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, DAUG achieves a 4.97% return, which is significantly lower than YCS's 9.63% return.

DAUG

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 4.97%
• 6M: 4.69%
• 1Y: 13.72%
• 3Y*: 11.85%
• 5Y*: 6.27%
• 10Y*: —

YCS

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 3.57%
• YTD: 9.63%
• 6M: 10.44%
• 1Y: 31.27%
• 3Y*: 18.37%
• 5Y*: 23.52%
• 10Y*: 13.62%

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

DAUG vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DAUG FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August	4.97%	11.75%	12.00%	13.85%	-11.95%	6.71%	8.01%	1.63%
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen	9.63%	9.04%	35.41%	28.70%	29.09%	22.38%	-11.18%	0.22%

Correlation

The correlation between DAUG and YCS is -0.19, 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	-0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2019	0.02

The correlation between DAUG and YCS shifts across timeframes, from -0.19 (1 year) to 0.02 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DAUG vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank

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

DAUG

DAUG Risk / Return Rank: 82
DAUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
DAUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
DAUG Omega Ratio Rank: 88
DAUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
DAUG Martin Ratio Rank: 85

YCS

YCS Risk / Return Rank: 63
YCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
YCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
YCS Omega Ratio Rank: 59
YCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
YCS Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

DAUG vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG) 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.

	DAUG	YCS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	1.86	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.62	2.36	+1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.34	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	3.78	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.62	11.93	+4.69

DAUG vs. YCS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DAUG Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is higher than the YCS Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DAUG 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

DAUG vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DAUG drawdown since its inception was -15.34%, smaller than the maximum YCS drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAUG and YCS.

Drawdown Indicators

	DAUG	YCS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.34%	-49.56%	+34.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.37%	-8.30%	+3.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.53%	-23.05%	+12.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.34%	-27.32%	+11.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-27.32%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-0.14%	-0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.80%	-19.87%	+17.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.83%	2.65%	-1.82%

Volatility

DAUG vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - August (DAUG) is 1.36%, while ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) has a volatility of 2.25%. This indicates that DAUG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than YCS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DAUG	YCS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.36%	2.25%	-0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.49%	12.19%	-7.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.60%	16.93%	-11.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.07%	21.10%	-13.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.25%	18.82%	-9.57%

DAUG vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison

DAUG has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

DAUG vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison

Neither DAUG nor YCS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DAUG and YCS in my portfolio?

DAUG and YCS have a correlation of -0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DAUG or YCS?

YCS has higher volatility (2.25%) compared to DAUG (1.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DAUG dropped -15.34% vs YCS's -49.56%.

Which ETF is better, DAUG or YCS?

On 5-year performance, YCS leads with 23.52% vs 6.27% for DAUG. On fees, DAUG is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, DAUG has been the lower-risk option at 1.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DAUG or YCS?

Over the 5-year period, YCS has performed better with a 23.52% return vs 6.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DAUG or YCS?

DAUG is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.

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

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

What is the main difference between DAUG and YCS?

DAUG is categorized as Defined Outcome, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. DAUG tracks S&P 500, while YCS tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for DAUG and 1.00% for YCS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DAUG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.86), 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.