GDEC vs. YCS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

GDEC (FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - GDEC is a Options Trading fund actively managed by FT Vest, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). GDEC is actively managed, while YCS is passively managed. Over the past year, GDEC returned 14.42% vs 31.27% for YCS. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. GDEC charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.

Performance

GDEC vs. YCS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December (GDEC) 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, GDEC achieves a 4.55% return, which is significantly lower than YCS's 9.63% return.

GDEC

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: -0.01%
• YTD: 4.55%
• 6M: 4.31%
• 1Y: 14.42%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

YCS

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 3.57%
• YTD: 9.63%
• 6M: 10.44%
• 1Y: 31.27%
• 3Y*: 18.37%
• 5Y*: 23.52%
• 10Y*: 13.62%

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

GDEC vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GDEC FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December	4.55%	12.14%	11.45%	0.50%
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen	9.63%	9.04%	35.41%	-0.97%

Correlation

The correlation between GDEC and YCS is -0.18, 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	-0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2023	-0.02

The correlation between GDEC and YCS shifts across timeframes, from -0.18 (1 year) to -0.02 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GDEC vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank

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

GDEC

GDEC Risk / Return Rank: 82
GDEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
GDEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
GDEC Omega Ratio Rank: 87
GDEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
GDEC Martin Ratio Rank: 84

YCS

YCS Risk / Return Rank: 63
YCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
YCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
YCS Omega Ratio Rank: 59
YCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
YCS Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

GDEC vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December (GDEC) 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.

	GDEC	YCS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	1.86	+0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.57	2.36	+1.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.34	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	3.78	-0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.74	11.93	+3.81

GDEC vs. YCS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is higher than the YCS Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDEC 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

GDEC vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDEC drawdown since its inception was -10.61%, smaller than the maximum YCS drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDEC and YCS.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDEC	YCS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.61%	-49.56%	+38.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.79%	-8.30%	+3.51%
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	-0.74%	-0.14%	-0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.76%	-19.87%	+19.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	2.65%	-1.73%

Volatility

GDEC vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - December (GDEC) is 1.87%, while ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) has a volatility of 2.25%. This indicates that GDEC 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.

Volatility by Period

	GDEC	YCS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.87%	2.25%	-0.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.95%	12.19%	-7.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.01%	16.93%	-10.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.95%	21.10%	-13.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.95%	18.82%	-10.87%

GDEC vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDEC has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDEC vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison

Neither GDEC nor YCS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDEC and YCS in my portfolio?

GDEC and YCS have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GDEC or YCS?

YCS has higher volatility (2.25%) compared to GDEC (1.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDEC dropped -10.61% vs YCS's -49.56%.

Which ETF is better, GDEC or YCS?

On 1-year performance, YCS leads with 31.27% vs 14.42% for GDEC. On fees, GDEC is cheaper at 0.85% per year. On volatility, GDEC has been the lower-risk option at 1.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GDEC or YCS?

Over the 1-year period, YCS has performed better with a 31.27% return vs 14.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GDEC or YCS?

GDEC is cheaper with a 0.85% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.

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

GDEC and YCS have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between GDEC and YCS?

GDEC is categorized as Options Trading, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. They also come from different issuers: FT Vest and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for GDEC and 1.00% for YCS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GDEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 1.86), 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.