FTBI vs. YCS

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

FTBI (First Trust Balanced Income ETF) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - FTBI is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by First Trust, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). FTBI is actively managed, while YCS is passively managed. Over the past year, FTBI returned 15.08% vs 34.18% for YCS. At a correlation of -0.20, they often move in opposite directions. FTBI charges 0.97%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.

Performance

FTBI vs. YCS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Balanced Income ETF (FTBI) 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, FTBI achieves a 5.53% return, which is significantly lower than YCS's 10.06% return.

FTBI

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 5.53%
• 6M: 4.65%
• 1Y: 15.08%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

YCS

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 3.97%
• YTD: 10.06%
• 6M: 11.27%
• 1Y: 34.18%
• 3Y*: 18.53%
• 5Y*: 23.65%
• 10Y*: 13.66%

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

FTBI vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FTBI First Trust Balanced Income ETF	5.53%	11.60%
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen	10.06%	22.71%

Correlation

The correlation between FTBI and YCS is -0.20, 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	-0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2025	-0.20

Return for Risk

FTBI vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTBI

FTBI Risk / Return Rank: 73
FTBI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FTBI Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
FTBI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
FTBI Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
FTBI Martin Ratio Rank: 76

YCS

YCS Risk / Return Rank: 73
YCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
YCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
YCS Omega Ratio Rank: 72
YCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
YCS Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

FTBI vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Balanced Income ETF (FTBI) 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.

	FTBI	YCS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	2.04	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	2.57	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.38	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	4.14	-1.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.54	13.04	-0.49

FTBI vs. YCS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTBI Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the YCS Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTBI 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

FTBI vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTBI drawdown since its inception was -5.34%, smaller than the maximum YCS drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTBI and YCS.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTBI	YCS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-5.34%	-49.56%	+44.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.34%	-8.30%	+2.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.05%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.32%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-27.32%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.12%	0.00%	-1.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.64%	-19.87%	+19.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.20%	2.63%	-1.43%

Volatility

FTBI vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Balanced Income ETF (FTBI) has a higher volatility of 2.73% compared to ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) at 2.25%. This indicates that FTBI'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.

Volatility by Period

	FTBI	YCS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.73%	2.25%	+0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.05%	11.91%	-5.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.46%	16.93%	-9.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.35%	21.10%	-13.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.35%	18.82%	-11.47%

FTBI vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTBI has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTBI vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison

FTBI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.95%, while YCS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
FTBI First Trust Balanced Income ETF	7.95%	4.76%
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTBI and YCS in my portfolio?

FTBI and YCS have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTBI or YCS?

FTBI has higher volatility (2.73%) compared to YCS (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTBI dropped -5.34% vs YCS's -49.56%.

Which ETF is better, FTBI or YCS?

On 1-year performance, YCS leads with 34.18% vs 15.08% for FTBI. On fees, FTBI is cheaper at 0.97% 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.

Which ETF has performed better, FTBI or YCS?

Over the 1-year period, YCS has performed better with a 34.18% return vs 15.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTBI or YCS?

FTBI is cheaper with a 0.97% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.

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

FTBI has the higher dividend yield at 7.95%, compared with 0.00% for YCS.

What is the main difference between FTBI and YCS?

FTBI is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.97% for FTBI and 1.00% for YCS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

YCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 2.03), 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.