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GDXJ vs. YCS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

GDXJ vs. YCS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - GDXJ is a Gold fund tracking the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ returned 12.98%/yr vs 12.16%/yr for YCS. At a correlation of -0.26, they often move in opposite directions. GDXJ charges 0.52%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.

Performance

GDXJ vs. YCS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) and ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDXJ achieves a -1.65% return, which is significantly lower than YCS's 7.17% return. Over the past 10 years, GDXJ has outperformed YCS with an annualized return of 12.98%, while YCS has yielded a comparatively lower 12.16% annualized return.

GDXJ

1D
0.92%
1M
-1.11%
YTD
-1.65%
6M
7.01%
1Y
65.36%
3Y*
46.18%
5Y*
17.68%
10Y*
12.98%

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

GDXJ vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
GDXJ
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF		-1.65%172.28%15.67%7.12%-14.53%-21.25%30.40%40.44%-11.02%8.22%
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 GDXJ 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

-0.25

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.31

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.34

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2009

-0.26

The correlation between GDXJ and YCS shifts across timeframes, from -0.34 (10 years) to -0.23 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF

ProShares UltraShort Yen

Often compared with GDXJ:
GDXJ vs. GDXGDXJ vs. GLDGDXJ vs. SILJGDXJ vs. GOLDGDXJ vs. SPYGDXJ vs. GLDMGDXJ vs. IAU
Often compared with YCS:
YCS vs. YCLYCS vs. JPYUSD=XYCS vs. PFIXYCS vs. TBTYCS vs. UUPYCS vs. BCSFYCS vs. SPY

Return for Risk

GDXJ vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
GDXJ
GDXJ Risk / Return Rank: 3737
Overall Rank
GDXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3838
Sharpe Ratio Rank
GDXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 3434
Sortino Ratio Rank
GDXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 3838
Omega Ratio Rank
GDXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 4242
Calmar Ratio Rank
GDXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 3333
Martin Ratio Rank
YCS
YCS Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
YCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6262
Sharpe Ratio Rank
YCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 5555
Sortino Ratio Rank
YCS Omega Ratio Rank: 6363
Omega Ratio Rank
YCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8282
Calmar Ratio Rank
YCS Martin Ratio Rank: 7272
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

GDXJ vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) 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.

GDXJYCSDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.32
2.06

-0.74

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.75
2.60

-0.85

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.24

1.38

-0.14

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.00

4.23

-2.24

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

4.93

13.22

-8.29

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GDXJ vs. YCS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDXJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the YCS Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDXJ 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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

GDXJYCSDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.32

2.06

-0.74

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.43

1.12

-0.69

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.30

0.64

-0.35

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.06

0.33

-0.27

Drawdowns

GDXJ vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDXJ drawdown since its inception was -88.66%, which is greater than YCS's maximum drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDXJ and YCS.

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Drawdown Indicators

GDXJYCSDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-88.66%

-49.56%

-39.10%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-32.92%

-8.30%

-24.62%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-32.92%

-23.05%

-9.87%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-50.99%

-27.32%

-23.67%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-57.77%

-27.32%

-30.45%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-28.36%

0.00%

-28.36%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-60.50%

-19.93%

-40.57%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

13.31%

2.65%

+10.66%

Volatility

GDXJ vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has a higher volatility of 16.69% compared to ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) at 2.62%. This indicates that GDXJ'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

GDXJYCSDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

16.69%

2.62%

+14.07%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

41.33%

12.31%

+29.02%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

49.77%

17.18%

+32.59%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

41.09%

21.09%

+20.00%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

44.05%

19.01%

+25.04%

GDXJ vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDXJ has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

GDXJ vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison

GDXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.37%, while YCS has not paid dividends to shareholders.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
GDXJ
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF		2.37%2.33%2.61%0.72%0.51%1.78%1.58%0.39%0.45%0.03%4.78%0.72%
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

GDXJ 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.

GDXJ has higher volatility (16.69%) compared to YCS (2.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDXJ dropped -88.66% vs YCS's -49.56%.

On 10-year performance, GDXJ leads with 12.98% vs 12.16% for YCS. On fees, GDXJ is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, YCS has been the lower-risk option at 2.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, GDXJ has performed better with a 12.98% return vs 12.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

GDXJ is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.

GDXJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.37%, compared with 0.00% for YCS.

GDXJ is categorized as Gold, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. GDXJ tracks MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, while YCS tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). They also come from different issuers: VanEck and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for GDXJ and 1.00% for YCS.

YCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 1.32), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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