GLD vs. YCS
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GLD returned 13.12%/yr vs 12.34%/yr for YCS. At a correlation of -0.37, they often move in opposite directions. GLD charges 0.40%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.
Performance
GLD vs. YCS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GLD achieves a 2.92% return, which is significantly lower than YCS's 7.17% return. Over the past 10 years, GLD has outperformed YCS with an annualized return of 13.12%, while YCS has yielded a comparatively lower 12.34% annualized return.
GLD
- 1D
- -0.99%
- 1M
- -1.65%
- YTD
- 2.92%
- 6M
- 5.43%
- 1Y
- 32.04%
- 3Y*
- 31.09%
- 5Y*
- 18.15%
- 10Y*
- 13.12%
YCS
- 1D
- 0.17%
- 1M
- 4.42%
- YTD
- 7.17%
- 6M
- 10.05%
- 1Y
- 32.82%
- 3Y*
- 19.84%
- 5Y*
- 23.54%
- 10Y*
- 12.34%
GLD vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GLD SPDR Gold Shares | 2.92% | 63.68% | 26.66% | 12.69% | -0.77% | -4.15% | 24.81% | 17.86% | -1.94% | 12.81% |
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 GLD and YCS is -0.24, 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 | -0.24 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.38 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.44 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2008 | -0.37 |
The correlation between GLD and YCS shifts across timeframes, from -0.44 (10 years) to -0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GLD vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank
GLD
YCS
GLD vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) 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.
| GLD | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.71 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.84 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.35 | -0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.68 | 3.97 | -2.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.15 | 12.40 | -8.24 |
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
| GLD | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.21 | 1.92 | -0.71 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 1.01 | 1.12 | -0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.83 | 0.65 | +0.17 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.60 | 0.33 | +0.27 |
Drawdowns
GLD vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, smaller than the maximum YCS drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and YCS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GLD | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -45.56% | -49.56% | +4.00% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -19.21% | -8.30% | -10.91% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.21% | -23.05% | +3.84% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.03% | -27.32% | +6.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.00% | -27.32% | +5.32% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -17.75% | 0.00% | -17.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.16% | -19.93% | +3.77% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 7.73% | 2.66% | +5.07% |
Volatility
GLD vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a higher volatility of 5.51% compared to ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) at 2.75%. This indicates that GLD'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
| GLD | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.51% | 2.75% | +2.76% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.16% | 12.32% | +10.84% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.61% | 17.27% | +9.34% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.00% | 21.10% | -3.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.95% | 19.01% | -3.06% |
GLD vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison
GLD has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.
Dividends
GLD vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison
Neither GLD nor YCS has paid dividends to shareholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
GLD and YCS have a correlation of -0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GLD has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to YCS (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLD dropped -45.56% vs YCS's -49.56%.
On 10-year performance, GLD leads with 13.12% vs 12.34% for YCS. On fees, GLD is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, YCS has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GLD has performed better with a 13.12% return vs 12.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GLD is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.
GLD and YCS have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.
GLD is categorized as Gold, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while YCS tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). They also come from different issuers: State Street and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for GLD and 1.00% for YCS.
YCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.21), 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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