IVAL vs. YCS
IVAL (Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - IVAL is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). IVAL is actively managed, while YCS is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IVAL returned 8.16%/yr vs 13.76%/yr for YCS. Their -0.02 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. IVAL charges 0.39%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.
Performance
IVAL vs. YCS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IVAL achieves a 16.85% return, which is significantly higher than YCS's 7.29% return. Over the past 10 years, IVAL has underperformed YCS with an annualized return of 8.16%, while YCS has yielded a comparatively higher 13.76% annualized return.
IVAL
- 1D
- -2.03%
- 1M
- 4.21%
- 6M
- 9.40%
- YTD
- 16.85%
- 1Y
- 34.16%
- 3Y*
- 18.08%
- 5Y*
- 9.92%
- 10Y*
- 8.16%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.66%
YCS
- 1D
- -0.84%
- 1M
- -2.27%
- 6M
- 9.33%
- YTD
- 7.29%
- 1Y
- 25.05%
- 3Y*
- 17.34%
- 5Y*
- 23.55%
- 10Y*
- 13.76%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.44%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $389.83K | $422.74K | $617.49K | |
| $1.53M | $2.43M | $1.42M |
IVAL vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IVAL Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF | 16.85% | 34.92% | -0.71% | 20.61% | -10.06% | -0.22% | -4.94% | 21.26% | -22.50% | 31.03% |
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen | 7.29% | 9.04% | 35.41% | 28.70% | 29.09% | 22.38% | -11.18% | 3.37% | -1.49% | -6.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between IVAL and YCS is -0.39, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.39 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.29 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | -0.23 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | -0.07 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 2014 | -0.02 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between IVAL and YCS has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.02 to -0.39, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
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Return for Risk
IVAL vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank
IVAL
YCS
IVAL vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL) 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.
| IVAL | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.60 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.23 | +0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.14 | 2.35 | +0.79 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.25 | 8.93 | +1.32 |
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Drawdowns
IVAL vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IVAL drawdown since its inception was -46.09%, smaller than the maximum YCS drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IVAL and YCS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IVAL | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.09% | -49.56% | +3.47% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.24% | -8.30% | -2.94% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.92% | -23.05% | +8.13% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.51% | -27.32% | -1.19% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.09% | -27.32% | -18.77% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.03% | -5.68% | +3.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.88% | -19.75% | +7.87% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.44% | 2.64% | +0.80% |
Volatility
IVAL vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF (IVAL) is 4.97%, while ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) has a volatility of 5.30%. This indicates that IVAL 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
| IVAL | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.97% | 5.30% | -0.33% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.96% | 11.65% | +1.31% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.53% | 16.85% | -1.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.78% | 21.16% | -3.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.61% | 18.61% | 0.00% |
IVAL vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison
IVAL has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.
Dividends
IVAL vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison
IVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, while YCS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IVAL Alpha Architect International Quantitative Value ETF | 2.61% | 2.75% | 3.60% | 5.15% | 8.00% | 3.95% | 2.07% | 2.51% | 2.93% | 1.73% | 2.02% | 1.86% |
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
IVAL and YCS have a correlation of -0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
YCS has higher volatility (5.30%) compared to IVAL (4.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IVAL dropped -46.09% vs YCS's -49.56%.
On 10-year performance, YCS leads with 13.76% vs 8.16% for IVAL. On fees, IVAL is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, IVAL has been the lower-risk option at 4.97%. 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 13.76% return vs 8.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IVAL is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.
IVAL has the higher dividend yield at 2.61%, compared with 0.00% for YCS.
IVAL is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for IVAL and 1.00% for YCS.
IVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.16), 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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