KSTR vs. YCS

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

KSTR (KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - KSTR is a China Equities fund tracking the SSE Science and Technology Innovation Board 50 Index, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, KSTR returned -0.07%/yr vs 23.16%/yr for YCS. At a correlation of -0.12, they often move in opposite directions. KSTR charges 0.89%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.

Performance

KSTR vs. YCS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF (KSTR) 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, KSTR achieves a 31.11% return, which is significantly higher than YCS's 6.99% return.

KSTR

• 1D: 2.65%
• 1M: 4.77%
• YTD: 31.11%
• 6M: 35.86%
• 1Y: 82.70%
• 3Y*: 15.82%
• 5Y*: -0.07%
• 10Y*: —

YCS

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 4.27%
• YTD: 6.99%
• 6M: 8.81%
• 1Y: 35.19%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 23.16%
• 10Y*: 12.32%

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

KSTR vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
KSTR KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF	31.11%	42.82%	6.12%	-17.93%	-38.51%	-1.70%
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen	6.99%	9.04%	35.41%	28.70%	29.09%	20.24%

Correlation

The correlation between KSTR and YCS is -0.17, 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	-0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.12
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2021	-0.12

Return for Risk

KSTR vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank

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

KSTR

KSTR Risk / Return Rank: 70
KSTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
KSTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
KSTR Omega Ratio Rank: 65
KSTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
KSTR Martin Ratio Rank: 65

YCS

YCS Risk / Return Rank: 63
YCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
YCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
YCS Omega Ratio Rank: 60
YCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
YCS Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

KSTR vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF (KSTR) 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.

	KSTR	YCS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.05	+0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	2.59	+0.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.37	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.71	3.95	+0.76
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.00	12.35	-0.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

KSTR vs. YCS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KSTR Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the YCS Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KSTR 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	KSTR	YCS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	2.05	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.00	1.10	-1.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.65	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.01	0.33	-0.34

Drawdowns

KSTR vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KSTR drawdown since its inception was -66.46%, which is greater than YCS's maximum drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KSTR and YCS.

Drawdown Indicators

	KSTR	YCS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.46%	-49.56%	-16.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.70%	-8.30%	-9.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.55%	-23.05%	-18.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-66.46%	-27.32%	-39.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-27.32%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.20%	-0.04%	-12.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.79%	-19.94%	-18.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.95%	2.66%	+4.29%

Volatility

KSTR vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison

KraneShares SSE STAR Market 50 Index ETF (KSTR) has a higher volatility of 15.14% compared to ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) at 2.75%. This indicates that KSTR'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.

Volatility by Period

	KSTR	YCS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.14%	2.75%	+12.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.19%	12.36%	+13.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.46%	17.38%	+18.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.31%	21.11%	+17.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.69%	19.02%	+18.67%

KSTR vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison

KSTR has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

KSTR vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison

Neither KSTR nor YCS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both KSTR and YCS in my portfolio?

KSTR and YCS have a correlation of -0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KSTR or YCS?

KSTR has higher volatility (15.14%) compared to YCS (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KSTR dropped -66.46% vs YCS's -49.56%.

Which ETF is better, KSTR or YCS?

On 5-year performance, YCS leads with 23.16% vs -0.07% for KSTR. On fees, KSTR is cheaper at 0.89% 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.

Which ETF has performed better, KSTR or YCS?

Over the 5-year period, YCS has performed better with a 23.16% return vs -0.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KSTR or YCS?

KSTR is cheaper with a 0.89% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.

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

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

What is the main difference between KSTR and YCS?

KSTR is categorized as China Equities, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. KSTR tracks SSE Science and Technology Innovation Board 50 Index, while YCS tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). They also come from different issuers: KraneShares and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for KSTR and 1.00% for YCS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KSTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 2.05), 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.