YCS vs. QULL

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) and QULL (ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%), while QULL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, YCS returned 23.21%/yr vs 17.03%/yr for QULL. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. YCS charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for QULL.

Performance

YCS vs. QULL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) and ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN (QULL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YCS achieves a 7.88% return, which is significantly lower than QULL's 18.41% return.

YCS

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 2.50%
• YTD: 7.88%
• 6M: 10.26%
• 1Y: 33.48%
• 3Y*: 18.92%
• 5Y*: 23.21%
• 10Y*: 12.96%

QULL

• 1D: 2.19%
• 1M: 7.87%
• YTD: 18.41%
• 6M: 17.51%
• 1Y: 44.24%
• 3Y*: 31.36%
• 5Y*: 17.03%
• 10Y*: —

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

YCS vs. QULL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen	7.88%	9.04%	35.41%	28.70%	29.09%	16.89%
QULL ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN	18.41%	17.61%	38.03%	57.07%	-42.00%	51.36%

Correlation

The correlation between YCS and QULL is -0.22, 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	-0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.04
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2021	-0.04

The correlation between YCS and QULL shifts across timeframes, from -0.22 (1 year) to -0.03 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

YCS vs. QULL — Risk / Return Rank

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

YCS

YCS Risk / Return Rank: 69
YCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
YCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
YCS Omega Ratio Rank: 67
YCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
YCS Martin Ratio Rank: 73

QULL

QULL Risk / Return Rank: 56
QULL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
QULL Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
QULL Omega Ratio Rank: 52
QULL Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
QULL Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

YCS vs. QULL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) and ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN (QULL). 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.

	YCS	QULL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	1.81	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	2.49	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.31	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.05	2.41	+1.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.65	10.73	+1.93

YCS vs. QULL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YCS Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the QULL Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YCS and QULL, 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

YCS vs. QULL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YCS drawdown since its inception was -49.56%, roughly equal to the maximum QULL drawdown of -51.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YCS and QULL.

Drawdown Indicators

	YCS	QULL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.56%	-51.83%	+2.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.30%	-18.43%	+10.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.05%	-36.82%	+13.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.32%	-51.83%	+24.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.27%	0.00%	-0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.89%	-13.97%	-5.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.65%	4.14%	-1.49%

Volatility

YCS vs. QULL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) is 2.18%, while ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN (QULL) has a volatility of 5.94%. This indicates that YCS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QULL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YCS	QULL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.18%	5.94%	-3.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.25%	19.16%	-6.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.05%	24.58%	-7.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.10%	35.66%	-14.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.98%	35.08%	-16.10%

YCS vs. QULL - Expense Ratio Comparison

YCS has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than QULL's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

YCS vs. QULL - Dividend Comparison

Neither YCS nor QULL has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YCS and QULL in my portfolio?

YCS and QULL have a correlation of -0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YCS or QULL?

QULL has higher volatility (5.94%) compared to YCS (2.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YCS dropped -49.56% vs QULL's -51.83%.

Which ETF is better, YCS or QULL?

On 5-year performance, YCS leads with 23.21% vs 17.03% for QULL. On fees, QULL is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, YCS has been the lower-risk option at 2.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YCS or QULL?

Over the 5-year period, YCS has performed better with a 23.21% return vs 17.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YCS or QULL?

QULL is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.

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

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

What is the main difference between YCS and QULL?

YCS is categorized as Leveraged Currency, while QULL is Leveraged Equities. YCS tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%), while QULL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and UBS. Their fees differ too: 1.00% for YCS and 0.95% for QULL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

YCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.81), 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.