GRID vs. YCS
GRID (First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - GRID is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GRID returned 19.95%/yr vs 13.62%/yr for YCS. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GRID charges 0.70%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.
Performance
GRID vs. YCS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GRID achieves a 23.40% return, which is significantly higher than YCS's 9.63% return. Over the past 10 years, GRID has outperformed YCS with an annualized return of 19.95%, while YCS has yielded a comparatively lower 13.62% annualized return.
GRID
- 1D
- -4.46%
- 1M
- -1.96%
- YTD
- 23.40%
- 6M
- 22.11%
- 1Y
- 42.41%
- 3Y*
- 24.21%
- 5Y*
- 16.63%
- 10Y*
- 19.95%
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%
GRID vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 23.40% | 29.65% | 15.18% | 21.57% | -13.89% | 27.65% | 48.84% | 42.80% | -22.69% | 27.44% |
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen | 9.63% | 9.04% | 35.41% | 28.70% | 29.09% | 22.38% | -11.18% | 3.37% | -1.49% | -6.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between GRID and YCS is -0.25, 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 | -0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.13 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.10 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.03 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2009 | 0.09 |
The correlation between GRID and YCS shifts across timeframes, from -0.25 (1 year) to 0.09 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GRID vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank
GRID
YCS
GRID vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) 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.
| GRID | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.27 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.34 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.63 | 3.78 | -0.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.92 | 11.93 | +0.99 |
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Drawdowns
GRID vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GRID drawdown since its inception was -40.56%, smaller than the maximum YCS drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GRID and YCS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GRID | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.56% | -49.56% | +9.00% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.73% | -8.30% | -3.43% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.77% | -23.05% | +2.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.64% | -27.32% | -2.32% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.56% | -27.32% | -13.24% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.55% | -0.14% | -5.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.42% | -19.87% | +11.45% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.29% | 2.65% | +0.64% |
Volatility
GRID vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison
First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund (GRID) has a higher volatility of 10.12% compared to ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) at 2.25%. This indicates that GRID'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
| GRID | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.12% | 2.25% | +7.87% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.23% | 12.19% | +6.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.26% | 16.93% | +4.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.37% | 21.10% | +0.27% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.80% | 18.82% | +3.98% |
GRID vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison
GRID has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.
Dividends
GRID vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison
GRID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, while YCS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GRID First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index Fund | 0.80% | 1.01% | 1.06% | 1.23% | 1.26% | 0.63% | 0.68% | 1.26% | 1.28% | 1.07% | 1.07% | 1.23% |
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
GRID and YCS have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GRID has higher volatility (10.12%) compared to YCS (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GRID dropped -40.56% vs YCS's -49.56%.
On 10-year performance, GRID leads with 19.95% vs 13.62% for YCS. On fees, GRID is cheaper at 0.70% 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.
Over the 10-year period, GRID has performed better with a 19.95% return vs 13.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GRID is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.
GRID has the higher dividend yield at 0.80%, compared with 0.00% for YCS.
GRID is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. GRID tracks Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index, while YCS tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). They also come from different issuers: First Trust and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for GRID and 1.00% for YCS.
GRID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 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.
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