YCL vs. UGL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

YCL (ProShares Ultra Yen) and UGL (ProShares Ultra Gold) are both exchange-traded funds - YCL is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%), while UGL is a Leveraged Commodities fund tracking the Bloomberg Gold Subindex (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, YCL returned -12.51%/yr vs 18.69%/yr for UGL. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

YCL vs. UGL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YCL achieves a -5.83% return, which is significantly lower than UGL's -0.16% return. Over the past 10 years, YCL has underperformed UGL with an annualized return of -12.51%, while UGL has yielded a comparatively higher 18.69% annualized return.

YCL

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: -3.82%
• YTD: -5.83%
• 6M: -7.72%
• 1Y: -24.77%
• 3Y*: -15.08%
• 5Y*: -19.19%
• 10Y*: -12.51%

UGL

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: -6.05%
• YTD: -0.16%
• 6M: 3.70%
• 1Y: 52.07%
• 3Y*: 54.22%
• 5Y*: 28.09%
• 10Y*: 18.69%

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

YCL vs. UGL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
YCL ProShares Ultra Yen	-5.83%	-6.34%	-25.97%	-20.46%	-26.92%	-20.94%	7.16%	-2.99%	0.17%	3.48%
UGL ProShares Ultra Gold	-0.16%	137.57%	46.36%	15.56%	-7.59%	-12.30%	39.04%	31.11%	-8.02%	22.50%

Correlation

The correlation between YCL and UGL is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2008	0.35

The correlation between YCL and UGL shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.42 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

YCL vs. UGL — Risk / Return Rank

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

YCL

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

UGL

UGL Risk / Return Rank: 29
UGL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
UGL Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
UGL Omega Ratio Rank: 32
UGL Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
UGL Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

YCL vs. UGL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	YCL	UGL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.48	0.99	-2.47
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-2.30	1.44	-3.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.76	1.22	-0.46
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.95	1.60	-2.56
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.40	3.71	-5.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

YCL vs. UGL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YCL Sharpe Ratio is -1.48, which is lower than the UGL Sharpe Ratio of 0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YCL and UGL, 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

	YCL	UGL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.48	0.99	-2.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.94	0.78	-1.72
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.67	0.58	-1.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.50	0.39	-0.90

Drawdowns

YCL vs. UGL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YCL drawdown since its inception was -88.15%, which is greater than UGL's maximum drawdown of -75.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YCL and UGL.

Drawdown Indicators

	YCL	UGL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.15%	-75.93%	-12.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.55%	-37.56%	+13.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.91%	-37.56%	-2.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-66.19%	-40.23%	-25.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.71%	-46.23%	-30.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-88.15%	-35.26%	-52.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-53.11%	-43.63%	-9.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.96%	16.19%	+0.77%

Volatility

YCL vs. UGL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Ultra Yen (YCL) is 2.72%, while ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL) has a volatility of 11.62%. This indicates that YCL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UGL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YCL	UGL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.72%	11.62%	-8.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.63%	46.78%	-35.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.88%	53.11%	-36.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.53%	36.22%	-15.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.61%	32.34%	-13.73%

YCL vs. UGL - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

YCL vs. UGL - Dividend Comparison

Neither YCL nor UGL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YCL and UGL in my portfolio?

YCL and UGL have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YCL or UGL?

UGL has higher volatility (11.62%) compared to YCL (2.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YCL dropped -88.15% vs UGL's -75.93%.

Which ETF is better, YCL or UGL?

On 10-year performance, UGL leads with 18.69% vs -12.51% for YCL. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, YCL has been the lower-risk option at 2.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YCL or UGL?

Over the 10-year period, UGL has performed better with a 18.69% return vs -12.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YCL or UGL?

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

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

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

What is the main difference between YCL and UGL?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UGL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.99 vs -1.48), 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.