UGL vs. YCL

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

UGL (ProShares Ultra Gold) and YCL (ProShares Ultra Yen) are both exchange-traded funds - UGL is a Leveraged Commodities fund tracking the Bloomberg Gold Subindex (200%), while YCL is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, UGL returned 16.37%/yr vs -12.66%/yr for YCL. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

UGL vs. YCL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL) and ProShares Ultra Yen (YCL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UGL achieves a -12.66% return, which is significantly lower than YCL's -6.35% return. Over the past 10 years, UGL has outperformed YCL with an annualized return of 16.37%, while YCL has yielded a comparatively lower -12.66% annualized return.

UGL

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -19.02%
• YTD: -12.66%
• 6M: -12.99%
• 1Y: 29.41%
• 3Y*: 47.90%
• 5Y*: 24.60%
• 10Y*: 16.37%

YCL

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: -2.78%
• YTD: -6.35%
• 6M: -7.70%
• 1Y: -23.69%
• 3Y*: -15.07%
• 5Y*: -19.44%
• 10Y*: -12.66%

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

UGL vs. YCL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UGL ProShares Ultra Gold	-12.66%	137.57%	46.36%	15.56%	-7.59%	-12.30%	39.04%	31.11%	-8.02%	22.50%
YCL ProShares Ultra Yen	-6.35%	-6.34%	-25.97%	-20.46%	-26.92%	-20.94%	7.16%	-2.99%	0.17%	3.48%

Correlation

The correlation between UGL and YCL is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2008	0.35

The correlation between UGL and YCL shifts across timeframes, from 0.26 (1 year) to 0.42 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

UGL vs. YCL — Risk / Return Rank

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

UGL

UGL Risk / Return Rank: 21
UGL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
UGL Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
UGL Omega Ratio Rank: 26
UGL Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
UGL Martin Ratio Rank: 20

YCL

YCL Risk / Return Rank: 0
YCL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
YCL Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
YCL Omega Ratio Rank: 0
YCL Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
YCL Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

UGL vs. YCL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL) and ProShares Ultra Yen (YCL). 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.

	UGL	YCL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.61	-1.46	+2.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.07	-2.28	+3.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	0.76	+0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.71	-1.01	+1.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.85	-1.50	+3.35

UGL vs. YCL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UGL Sharpe Ratio is 0.61, which is higher than the YCL Sharpe Ratio of -1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UGL and YCL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

UGL vs. YCL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UGL drawdown since its inception was -75.93%, smaller than the maximum YCL drawdown of -88.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UGL and YCL.

Drawdown Indicators

	UGL	YCL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.93%	-88.26%	+12.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-46.64%	-23.97%	-22.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-46.64%	-40.47%	-6.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.64%	-66.50%	+19.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.64%	-76.93%	+30.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-43.37%	-88.21%	+44.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.62%	-53.16%	+9.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.76%	16.43%	+1.33%

Volatility

UGL vs. YCL - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL) has a higher volatility of 15.51% compared to ProShares Ultra Yen (YCL) at 1.47%. This indicates that UGL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than YCL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UGL	YCL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.51%	1.47%	+14.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	48.64%	11.40%	+37.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	54.39%	16.59%	+37.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.61%	20.50%	+16.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.58%	18.60%	+13.98%

UGL vs. YCL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both UGL and YCL have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

UGL vs. YCL - Dividend Comparison

Neither UGL nor YCL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UGL and YCL in my portfolio?

UGL and YCL have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UGL or YCL?

UGL has higher volatility (15.51%) compared to YCL (1.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UGL dropped -75.93% vs YCL's -88.26%.

Which ETF is better, UGL or YCL?

On 10-year performance, UGL leads with 16.37% vs -12.66% for YCL. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, YCL has been the lower-risk option at 1.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UGL or YCL?

Over the 10-year period, UGL has performed better with a 16.37% return vs -12.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UGL or YCL?

UGL and YCL have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UGL or YCL?

UGL and YCL have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between UGL and YCL?

UGL is categorized as Leveraged Commodities, while YCL is Leveraged Currency. UGL tracks Bloomberg Gold Subindex (200%), while YCL tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UGL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.61 vs -1.46), 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.