EWK vs. YCS
EWK (iShares MSCI Belgium ETF) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - EWK is a Europe Equities fund tracking the MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWK returned 6.90%/yr vs 13.35%/yr for YCS. Their 0.02 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. EWK charges 0.49%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.
Performance
EWK vs. YCS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EWK achieves a 12.08% return, which is significantly higher than YCS's 5.42% return. Over the past 10 years, EWK has underperformed YCS with an annualized return of 6.90%, while YCS has yielded a comparatively higher 13.35% annualized return.
EWK
- 1D
- 1.05%
- 1M
- -1.25%
- 6M
- 2.98%
- YTD
- 12.08%
- 1Y
- 24.12%
- 3Y*
- 15.65%
- 5Y*
- 6.67%
- 10Y*
- 6.90%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.08%
YCS
- 1D
- 1.26%
- 1M
- -3.97%
- 6M
- 6.17%
- YTD
- 5.42%
- 1Y
- 23.44%
- 3Y*
- 17.45%
- 5Y*
- 23.10%
- 10Y*
- 13.35%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.33%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $968.64K | $832.94K | $1.32M | |
| $2.54M | $2.29M | $1.59M |
EWK vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWK iShares MSCI Belgium ETF | 12.08% | 35.38% | 0.14% | 7.47% | -13.98% | 12.84% | 0.04% | 25.92% | -20.40% | 23.70% |
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen | 5.42% | 9.04% | 35.41% | 28.70% | 29.09% | 22.38% | -11.18% | 3.37% | -1.49% | -6.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between EWK and YCS is -0.32, 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. | -0.32 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.25 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | -0.20 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | -0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2008 | 0.02 |
The correlation between EWK and YCS shifts across timeframes, from -0.32 (1 year) to 0.02 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
EWK vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank
EWK
YCS
EWK vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK) 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.
| EWK | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.39 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.28 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.57 | 2.78 | -1.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.53 | 10.25 | -4.72 |
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Drawdowns
EWK vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EWK drawdown since its inception was -74.10%, which is greater than YCS's maximum drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWK and YCS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EWK | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -74.10% | -49.56% | -24.54% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.47% | -8.48% | -6.99% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.47% | -23.05% | +7.58% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.24% | -27.32% | -5.92% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.80% | -27.32% | -15.48% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.60% | -7.32% | +5.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -21.43% | -19.75% | -1.68% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.37% | 2.29% | +2.08% |
Volatility
EWK vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI Belgium ETF (EWK) is 3.31%, while ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) has a volatility of 5.95%. This indicates that EWK 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
| EWK | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.31% | 5.95% | -2.64% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.30% | 11.87% | +1.43% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.56% | 16.44% | -0.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.88% | 21.21% | -3.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.79% | 18.61% | +0.18% |
EWK vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison
EWK has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.
Dividends
EWK vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison
EWK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, while YCS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWK iShares MSCI Belgium ETF | 1.83% | 1.73% | 3.25% | 2.09% | 2.58% | 3.64% | 1.66% | 2.77% | 2.78% | 2.91% | 1.75% | 2.06% |
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
EWK and YCS have a correlation of -0.32, 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 EWK (3.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWK dropped -74.10% vs YCS's -49.56%.
On 10-year performance, YCS leads with 13.35% vs 6.90% for EWK. On fees, EWK is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, EWK has been the lower-risk option at 3.31%. 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 6.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EWK is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.
EWK has the higher dividend yield at 1.83%, compared with 0.00% for YCS.
EWK is categorized as Europe Equities, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. EWK tracks MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index, while YCS tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). They also come from different issuers: iShares and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for EWK and 1.00% for YCS.
EWK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 1.43), 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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