QVAL vs. YCS
QVAL (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF) and YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - QVAL is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). QVAL is actively managed, while YCS is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QVAL returned 11.91%/yr vs 13.62%/yr for YCS. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QVAL charges 0.28%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for YCS.
Performance
QVAL vs. YCS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QVAL achieves a 14.09% return, which is significantly higher than YCS's 9.63% return. Over the past 10 years, QVAL has underperformed YCS with an annualized return of 11.91%, while YCS has yielded a comparatively higher 13.62% annualized return.
QVAL
- 1D
- 0.01%
- 1M
- 0.88%
- YTD
- 14.09%
- 6M
- 12.60%
- 1Y
- 28.74%
- 3Y*
- 20.50%
- 5Y*
- 12.15%
- 10Y*
- 11.91%
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%
QVAL vs. YCS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF | 14.09% | 10.98% | 12.21% | 28.40% | -11.80% | 34.40% | -5.93% | 24.06% | -17.28% | 25.59% |
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 QVAL and YCS is -0.19, 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 | -0.19 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.08 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.03 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016 | 0.11 |
The correlation between QVAL and YCS shifts across timeframes, from -0.19 (1 year) to 0.11 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
QVAL vs. YCS — Risk / Return Rank
QVAL
YCS
QVAL vs. YCS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) 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.
| QVAL | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.34 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.78 | 3.78 | +1.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.37 | 11.93 | +1.44 |
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Drawdowns
QVAL vs. YCS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QVAL drawdown since its inception was -51.49%, roughly equal to the maximum YCS drawdown of -49.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QVAL and YCS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QVAL | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.49% | -49.56% | -1.93% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.04% | -8.30% | +2.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.41% | -23.05% | +1.64% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.17% | -27.32% | +0.15% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -51.49% | -27.32% | -24.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.47% | -0.14% | -2.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.76% | -19.87% | +12.11% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.15% | 2.65% | -0.50% |
Volatility
QVAL vs. YCS - Volatility Comparison
Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF (QVAL) has a higher volatility of 3.95% compared to ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) at 2.25%. This indicates that QVAL'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
| QVAL | YCS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.95% | 2.25% | +1.70% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.21% | 12.19% | -1.98% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.71% | 16.93% | -2.22% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.64% | 21.10% | +0.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.78% | 18.82% | +3.96% |
QVAL vs. YCS - Expense Ratio Comparison
QVAL has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is lower than YCS's 1.00% expense ratio.
Dividends
QVAL vs. YCS - Dividend Comparison
QVAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.16%, while YCS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QVAL Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Value ETF | 1.16% | 1.44% | 1.72% | 1.76% | 2.00% | 1.23% | 1.86% | 1.99% | 1.64% | 1.08% | 1.30% |
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% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QVAL and YCS have a correlation of -0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QVAL has higher volatility (3.95%) compared to YCS (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QVAL dropped -51.49% vs YCS's -49.56%.
On 10-year performance, YCS leads with 13.62% vs 11.91% for QVAL. On fees, QVAL is cheaper at 0.28% 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 11.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QVAL is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.
QVAL has the higher dividend yield at 1.16%, compared with 0.00% for YCS.
QVAL is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while YCS is Leveraged Currency. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for QVAL and 1.00% for YCS.
QVAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 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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