GBF vs. YCS
GBF (iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - GBF is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GBF returned 1.51%/yr vs 12.16%/yr for YCS. At a correlation of -0.44, they often move in opposite directions. GBF charges 0.20%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.
Performance
GBF vs. YCS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GBF achieves a 0.35% return, which is significantly lower than YCS's 7.17% return. Over the past 10 years, GBF has underperformed YCS with an annualized return of 1.51%, while YCS has yielded a comparatively higher 12.16% annualized return.
GBF
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 0.21%
- YTD
- 0.35%
- 6M
- 0.18%
- 1Y
- 4.02%
- 3Y*
- 3.64%
- 5Y*
- -0.19%
- 10Y*
- 1.51%
YCS
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 3.39%
- YTD
- 7.17%
- 6M
- 10.02%
- 1Y
- 34.99%
- 3Y*
- 20.03%
- 5Y*
- 23.54%
- 10Y*
- 12.16%
GBF vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GBF iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF | 0.35% | 6.41% | 0.99% | 5.79% | -13.85% | -2.30% | 8.76% | 9.47% | -0.52% | 4.10% |
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen | 7.17% | 9.04% | 35.41% | 28.70% | 29.09% | 22.38% | -11.18% | 3.37% | -1.49% | -6.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between GBF and YCS is -0.52, 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 | -0.52 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.47 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.49 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.49 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2008 | -0.44 |
The correlation between GBF and YCS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.52 to -0.44 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GBF vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank
GBF
YCS
GBF vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (GBF) 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.
| GBF | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.97 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.97 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.38 | -0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.48 | 4.23 | -2.76 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.37 | 13.22 | -8.85 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GBF | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.09 | 2.06 | -0.97 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.03 | 1.12 | -1.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.29 | 0.64 | -0.36 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.58 | 0.33 | +0.25 |
Drawdowns
GBF vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GBF drawdown since its inception was -19.67%, smaller than the maximum YCS drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBF and YCS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GBF | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.67% | -49.56% | +29.89% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.73% | -8.30% | +5.57% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.78% | -23.05% | +17.27% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.45% | -27.32% | +8.87% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.67% | -27.32% | +7.65% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.71% | 0.00% | -4.71% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.67% | -19.93% | +16.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 2.65% | -1.73% |
Volatility
GBF vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF (GBF) is 1.21%, while ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) has a volatility of 2.62%. This indicates that GBF 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
| GBF | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.21% | 2.62% | -1.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.64% | 12.31% | -9.67% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.75% | 17.18% | -13.43% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.93% | 21.09% | -15.16% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.28% | 19.01% | -13.73% |
GBF vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison
GBF has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.
Dividends
GBF vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison
GBF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.78%, while YCS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GBF iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF | 3.78% | 3.81% | 3.94% | 3.03% | 2.13% | 1.22% | 1.64% | 2.64% | 2.59% | 2.31% | 2.09% | 2.04% |
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
GBF and YCS have a correlation of -0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
YCS has higher volatility (2.62%) compared to GBF (1.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GBF dropped -19.67% vs YCS's -49.56%.
On 10-year performance, YCS leads with 12.16% vs 1.51% for GBF. On fees, GBF is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, GBF has been the lower-risk option at 1.21%. 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 12.16% return vs 1.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GBF is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.
GBF has the higher dividend yield at 3.78%, compared with 0.00% for YCS.
GBF is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. GBF tracks Bloomberg U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index, while YCS tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). They also come from different issuers: iShares and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for GBF and 1.00% for YCS.
YCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.09), 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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