ESPO vs. YCS
ESPO (VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - ESPO is a Gaming fund tracking the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESPO returned 7.56%/yr vs 24.30%/yr for YCS. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. ESPO charges 0.55%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.
Performance
ESPO vs. YCS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ESPO achieves a -11.52% return, which is significantly lower than YCS's 11.45% return.
ESPO
- 1D
- -0.34%
- 1M
- 3.26%
- 6M
- -13.63%
- YTD
- -11.52%
- 1Y
- -13.39%
- 3Y*
- 17.03%
- 5Y*
- 7.56%
- 10Y*
- —
YCS
- 1D
- 0.42%
- 1M
- 3.09%
- 6M
- 8.08%
- YTD
- 11.45%
- 1Y
- 29.82%
- 3Y*
- 21.64%
- 5Y*
- 24.30%
- 10Y*
- 12.99%
ESPO vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESPO VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF | -11.52% | 25.79% | 47.61% | 33.64% | -34.71% | -2.13% | 83.93% | 42.36% | -12.49% |
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen | 11.45% | 9.04% | 35.41% | 28.70% | 29.09% | 22.38% | -11.18% | 3.37% | -3.38% |
Correlation
The correlation between ESPO and YCS is -0.23, 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 | -0.23 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.16 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.13 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2018 | -0.06 |
The correlation between ESPO and YCS shifts across timeframes, from -0.23 (1 year) to -0.06 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
ESPO vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank
ESPO
YCS
ESPO vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) 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.
| ESPO | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.54 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.21 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.89 | 1.35 | -0.45 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.46 | 3.61 | -4.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.76 | 11.41 | -12.17 |
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Drawdowns
ESPO vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ESPO drawdown since its inception was -50.99%, roughly equal to the maximum YCS drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESPO and YCS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ESPO | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -50.99% | -49.56% | -1.43% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -29.43% | -8.30% | -21.13% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -29.43% | -23.05% | -6.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -48.33% | -27.32% | -21.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -27.32% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -24.12% | 0.00% | -24.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.18% | -19.80% | +4.62% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 17.64% | 2.62% | +15.02% |
Volatility
ESPO vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison
VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) has a higher volatility of 4.87% compared to ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) at 2.47%. This indicates that ESPO'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
| ESPO | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.87% | 2.47% | +2.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.06% | 11.85% | +3.21% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.83% | 16.54% | +2.29% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.09% | 21.09% | +4.00% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.62% | 18.70% | +6.92% |
ESPO vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison
ESPO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.
Dividends
ESPO vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison
ESPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, while YCS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ESPO VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF | 1.41% | 1.24% | 0.44% | 0.96% | 0.91% | 3.36% | 0.12% | 0.22% | 0.04% |
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ESPO and YCS have a correlation of -0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ESPO has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to YCS (2.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESPO dropped -50.99% vs YCS's -49.56%.
On 5-year performance, YCS leads with 24.30% vs 7.56% for ESPO. On fees, ESPO is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, YCS has been the lower-risk option at 2.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, YCS has performed better with a 24.30% return vs 7.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ESPO is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.
ESPO has the higher dividend yield at 1.41%, compared with 0.00% for YCS.
ESPO is categorized as Gaming, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. ESPO tracks MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, while YCS tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). They also come from different issuers: VanEck and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ESPO and 1.00% for YCS.
YCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs -0.72), 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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