EEM vs. YCS
EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net), while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EEM returned 9.87%/yr vs 13.62%/yr for YCS. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EEM charges 0.72%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.
Performance
EEM vs. YCS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EEM achieves a 23.41% return, which is significantly higher than YCS's 9.63% return. Over the past 10 years, EEM has underperformed YCS with an annualized return of 9.87%, while YCS has yielded a comparatively higher 13.62% annualized return.
EEM
- 1D
- -5.67%
- 1M
- 2.49%
- YTD
- 23.41%
- 6M
- 24.32%
- 1Y
- 46.62%
- 3Y*
- 22.58%
- 5Y*
- 6.54%
- 10Y*
- 9.87%
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%
EEM vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 23.41% | 33.98% | 6.49% | 8.95% | -20.56% | -3.63% | 17.02% | 18.22% | -15.31% | 37.26% |
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen | 9.63% | 9.04% | 35.41% | 28.70% | 29.09% | 22.38% | -11.18% | 3.37% | -1.49% | -6.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between EEM and YCS is -0.29, 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 | -0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.16 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.04 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2008 | 0.08 |
The correlation between EEM and YCS shifts across timeframes, from -0.29 (1 year) to 0.08 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
EEM vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank
EEM
YCS
EEM vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) 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.
| EEM | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.20 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.27 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.34 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.46 | 3.78 | -0.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.70 | 11.93 | +0.77 |
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Drawdowns
EEM vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EEM drawdown since its inception was -66.43%, which is greater than YCS's maximum drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EEM and YCS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EEM | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -66.43% | -49.56% | -16.87% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.52% | -8.30% | -5.22% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.29% | -23.05% | +5.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.49% | -27.32% | -10.17% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.82% | -27.32% | -12.50% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.67% | -0.14% | -5.53% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.99% | -19.87% | +3.88% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.68% | 2.65% | +1.03% |
Volatility
EEM vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a higher volatility of 12.59% compared to ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) at 2.25%. This indicates that EEM'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
| EEM | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 12.59% | 2.25% | +10.34% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.73% | 12.19% | +8.54% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.77% | 16.93% | +5.84% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.55% | 21.10% | -1.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.67% | 18.82% | +1.85% |
EEM vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison
EEM has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.
Dividends
EEM vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison
EEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, while YCS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 1.66% | 2.22% | 2.43% | 2.63% | 2.50% | 1.99% | 1.45% | 2.76% | 2.24% | 1.89% | 1.89% | 2.49% |
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
EEM and YCS have a correlation of -0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EEM has higher volatility (12.59%) compared to YCS (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EEM dropped -66.43% vs YCS's -49.56%.
On 10-year performance, YCS leads with 13.62% vs 9.87% for EEM. On fees, EEM is cheaper at 0.72% per year. On volatility, YCS has been the lower-risk option at 2.25%. 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 13.62% return vs 9.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EEM is cheaper with a 0.72% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.
EEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.66%, compared with 0.00% for YCS.
EEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. EEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net), while YCS tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). They also come from different issuers: iShares and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.72% for EEM and 1.00% for YCS.
EEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 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.
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