QAI vs. YCS
QAI (IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - QAI is a Long-Short fund tracking the IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QAI returned 3.94%/yr vs 13.62%/yr for YCS. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QAI charges 0.79%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.
Performance
QAI vs. YCS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QAI achieves a 8.45% return, which is significantly lower than YCS's 9.63% return. Over the past 10 years, QAI has underperformed YCS with an annualized return of 3.94%, while YCS has yielded a comparatively higher 13.62% annualized return.
QAI
- 1D
- -1.20%
- 1M
- 0.61%
- YTD
- 8.45%
- 6M
- 8.10%
- 1Y
- 15.12%
- 3Y*
- 9.95%
- 5Y*
- 4.45%
- 10Y*
- 3.94%
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%
QAI vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF | 8.45% | 8.29% | 6.67% | 10.07% | -8.68% | -0.16% | 5.73% | 8.68% | -3.32% | 6.17% |
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 QAI and YCS is -0.20, 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 | -0.20 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.15 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.06 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2009 | 0.03 |
The correlation between QAI and YCS shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (1 year) to 0.03 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
QAI vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank
QAI
YCS
QAI vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) 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.
| QAI | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.45 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.84 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.46 | 1.34 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.09 | 3.78 | +0.31 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.12 | 11.93 | +4.19 |
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Drawdowns
QAI vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QAI drawdown since its inception was -14.95%, smaller than the maximum YCS drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QAI and YCS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QAI | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.95% | -49.56% | +34.61% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.71% | -8.30% | +4.59% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.78% | -23.05% | +15.27% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.32% | -27.32% | +13.00% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.95% | -27.32% | +12.37% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.20% | -0.14% | -1.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.57% | -19.87% | +17.30% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.94% | 2.65% | -1.71% |
Volatility
QAI vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison
IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) has a higher volatility of 3.12% compared to ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) at 2.25%. This indicates that QAI'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
| QAI | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.12% | 2.25% | +0.87% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.63% | 12.19% | -6.56% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.58% | 16.93% | -10.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.67% | 21.10% | -14.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.23% | 18.82% | -12.59% |
QAI vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison
QAI has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.
Dividends
QAI vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison
QAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.39%, while YCS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF | 1.39% | 1.50% | 2.22% | 4.08% | 2.00% | 0.28% | 1.98% | 1.91% | 1.90% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.48% |
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
QAI and YCS have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QAI has higher volatility (3.12%) compared to YCS (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QAI dropped -14.95% vs YCS's -49.56%.
On 10-year performance, YCS leads with 13.62% vs 3.94% for QAI. On fees, QAI is cheaper at 0.79% 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, YCS has performed better with a 13.62% return vs 3.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QAI is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.
QAI has the higher dividend yield at 1.39%, compared with 0.00% for YCS.
QAI is categorized as Long-Short, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. QAI tracks IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index, while YCS tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). They also come from different issuers: New York Life and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QAI and 1.00% for YCS.
QAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 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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