EFAV vs. YCS
EFAV (iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - EFAV is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (USD) Index, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the JPY/USD 4:00 p.m. ET Cross Rate. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EFAV returned 6.40%/yr vs 13.35%/yr for YCS. Their -0.09 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. EFAV charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for YCS.
Performance
EFAV vs. YCS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EFAV achieves a 9.38% return, which is significantly higher than YCS's 5.40% return. Over the past 10 years, EFAV has underperformed YCS with an annualized return of 6.40%, while YCS has yielded a comparatively higher 13.35% annualized return.
EFAV
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- 3.71%
- 6M
- 3.89%
- YTD
- 9.38%
- 1Y
- 14.46%
- 3Y*
- 14.89%
- 5Y*
- 6.71%
- 10Y*
- 6.40%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.25%
YCS
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- -4.94%
- 6M
- 4.42%
- YTD
- 5.40%
- 1Y
- 22.68%
- 3Y*
- 17.44%
- 5Y*
- 22.89%
- 10Y*
- 13.35%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.33%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $59.64M | $52.66M | $46.19M | |
| $2.59M | $2.15M | $1.60M |
EFAV vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EFAV iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF | 9.38% | 26.00% | 5.30% | 12.52% | -15.11% | 7.20% | -0.06% | 16.67% | -5.74% | 22.24% |
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen | 5.40% | 9.04% | 35.41% | 28.70% | 29.09% | 22.38% | -11.18% | 3.37% | -1.49% | -6.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between EFAV and YCS is -0.50, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.50 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.45 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | -0.39 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | -0.23 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2011 | -0.09 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between EFAV and YCS has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.09 to -0.50, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
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Return for Risk
EFAV vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank
EFAV
YCS
EFAV vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV) 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.
| EFAV | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.27 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.18 | 2.69 | -0.51 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.06 | 9.73 | -4.67 |
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Drawdowns
EFAV vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EFAV drawdown since its inception was -27.56%, smaller than the maximum YCS drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFAV and YCS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EFAV | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -27.56% | -49.56% | +22.00% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.66% | -8.48% | +1.82% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -8.65% | -23.05% | +14.40% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.46% | -27.32% | -0.14% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -27.56% | -27.32% | -0.24% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.46% | -7.34% | +5.88% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.76% | -19.75% | +14.99% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.86% | 2.34% | +0.52% |
Volatility
EFAV vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV) is 2.76%, while ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) has a volatility of 5.95%. This indicates that EFAV 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.
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Volatility by Period
| EFAV | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.76% | 5.95% | -3.19% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.82% | 11.87% | -3.05% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.54% | 16.43% | -5.89% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.88% | 21.21% | -9.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.03% | 18.61% | -5.58% |
EFAV vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison
EFAV has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
EFAV vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison
EFAV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.09%, while YCS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EFAV iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF | 3.09% | 3.20% | 3.24% | 3.08% | 2.53% | 2.47% | 1.33% | 4.19% | 3.34% | 2.45% | 3.94% | 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
EFAV and YCS have a correlation of -0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
YCS has higher volatility (5.95%) compared to EFAV (2.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFAV dropped -27.56% vs YCS's -49.56%.
On 10-year performance, YCS leads with 13.35% vs 6.40% for EFAV. On fees, EFAV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, EFAV has been the lower-risk option at 2.76%. 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 13.35% return vs 6.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EFAV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for YCS.
EFAV has the higher dividend yield at 3.09%, compared with 0.00% for YCS.
EFAV is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. EFAV tracks MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (USD) Index, while YCS tracks JPY/USD 4:00 p.m. ET Cross Rate. They also come from different issuers: iShares and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for EFAV and 0.95% for YCS.
YCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs 1.38), 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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