YCS vs. SQQQ
YCS (ProShares UltraShort Yen) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - YCS is a Leveraged Currency fund tracking the USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%), while SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, YCS returned 13.05%/yr vs -55.28%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.16, they often move in opposite directions. YCS charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SQQQ.
Performance
YCS vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, YCS achieves a 10.72% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -40.27% return. Over the past 10 years, YCS has outperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of 13.05%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively lower -55.28% annualized return.
YCS
- 1D
- 0.38%
- 1M
- 2.89%
- 6M
- 8.26%
- YTD
- 10.72%
- 1Y
- 29.55%
- 3Y*
- 21.25%
- 5Y*
- 24.17%
- 10Y*
- 13.05%
SQQQ
- 1D
- 5.74%
- 1M
- 1.37%
- 6M
- -36.57%
- YTD
- -40.27%
- 1Y
- -56.10%
- 3Y*
- -51.78%
- 5Y*
- -45.66%
- 10Y*
- -55.28%
YCS vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen | 10.72% | 9.04% | 35.41% | 28.70% | 29.09% | 22.38% | -11.18% | 3.37% | -1.49% | -6.57% |
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ | -40.27% | -53.05% | -49.79% | -73.61% | 82.40% | -60.87% | -86.40% | -65.92% | -20.83% | -58.67% |
Correlation
The correlation between YCS and SQQQ is 0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.01 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.01 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.08 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2010 | -0.16 |
The correlation between YCS and SQQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (all time) to 0.08 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
YCS vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank
YCS
SQQQ
YCS vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) and ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ). 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 | SQQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.80 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.96 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 0.82 | +0.52 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.58 | -0.92 | +4.50 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.30 | -1.71 | +13.01 |
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Drawdowns
YCS vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum YCS drawdown since its inception was -49.56%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YCS and SQQQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| YCS | SQQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -49.56% | -100.00% | +50.44% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.30% | -61.03% | +52.73% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -23.05% | -92.51% | +69.46% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.32% | -97.27% | +69.95% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -27.32% | -99.97% | +72.65% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.63% | -100.00% | +99.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -19.81% | -92.75% | +72.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.62% | 32.78% | -30.16% |
Volatility
YCS vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for ProShares UltraShort Yen (YCS) is 3.06%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 26.05%. This indicates that YCS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| YCS | SQQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.06% | 26.05% | -22.99% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.94% | 45.88% | -33.94% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.63% | 55.64% | -39.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.09% | 67.87% | -46.78% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.71% | 66.56% | -47.85% |
YCS vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
YCS has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than SQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.
Dividends
YCS vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison
YCS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.00%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ | 10.00% | 9.36% | 10.23% | 8.01% | 0.28% | 0.00% | 2.15% | 2.92% | 1.47% | 0.14% |
YCS ProShares UltraShort Yen | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
YCS and SQQQ have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SQQQ has higher volatility (26.05%) compared to YCS (3.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YCS dropped -49.56% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.
On 10-year performance, YCS leads with 13.05% vs -55.28% for SQQQ. On fees, SQQQ is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, YCS has been the lower-risk option at 3.06%. 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 13.05% return vs -55.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SQQQ is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.00% for YCS.
SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 10.00%, compared with 0.00% for YCS.
YCS is categorized as Leveraged Currency, while SQQQ is Leveraged Equities. YCS tracks USD/JPY Exchange Rate (-200%), while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Their fees differ too: 1.00% for YCS and 0.95% for SQQQ.
YCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs -1.01), 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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