Correlation Between Apple and Merck

Can any of the company-specific risk be diversified away by investing in both Apple and Merck at the same time? Although using a correlation coefficient on its own may not help to predict future stock returns, this module helps to understand the diversifiable risk of combining Apple and Merck into the same portfolio, which is an essential part of the fundamental portfolio management process.

By analyzing existing cross correlation between Apple Inc and Merck Company, you can compare the effects of market volatilities on Apple and Merck and check how they will diversify away market risk if combined in the same portfolio for a given time horizon. You can also utilize pair trading strategies of matching a long position in Apple with a short position of Merck. Check out your portfolio center. Please also check ongoing floating volatility patterns of Apple and Merck.

Diversification Opportunities for Apple and Merck

-0.76

Correlation Coefficient

Apple  Merck

Pay attention - limited upside

The 3 months correlation between Apple and Merck is -0.76. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Apple Inc and Merck Company in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on Merck Company and Apple is a relative statistical measure of the degree to which these equity instruments tend to move together. The correlation coefficient measures the extent to which returns on Apple Inc are associated (or correlated) with Merck. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of Merck Company has no effect on the direction of Apple i.e., Apple and Merck go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Apple and Merck

Assuming the 90 days trading horizon Apple Inc is expected to generate 0.83 times more return on investment than Merck. However, Apple Inc is 1.21 times less risky than Merck. It trades about 0.2 of its potential returns per unit of risk. Merck Company is currently generating about -0.18 per unit of risk. If you would invest  20,141  in Apple Inc on September 12, 2024 and sell it today you would earn a total of  3,574  from holding Apple Inc or generate 17.74% return on investment over 90 days.

Time Period	3 Months [change]
Direction	Moves Against
Strength	Weak
Accuracy	100.0%
Values	Daily Returns

Apple Inc  vs.  Merck Company

Apple Inc

Risk-Adjusted Performance

15 of 100

Good

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in Apple Inc are ranked lower than 15 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. In spite of comparatively uncertain fundamental indicators, Apple unveiled solid returns over the last few months and may actually be approaching a breakup point.

Merck Company

Risk-Adjusted Performance

0 of 100

Very Weak

Over the last 90 days Merck Company has generated negative risk-adjusted returns adding no value to investors with long positions. In spite of fragile performance in the last few months, the Stock's forward-looking signals remain rather sound which may send shares a bit higher in January 2025. The latest tumult may also be a sign of longer-term up-swing for the firm shareholders.

Pair Trading with Apple and Merck

The main advantage of trading using opposite Apple and Merck positions is that it hedges away some unsystematic risk. Because of two separate transactions, even if Apple position performs unexpectedly, Merck can make up some of the losses. Pair trading also minimizes risk from directional movements in the market. For example, if an entire industry or sector drops because of unexpected headlines, the short position in Merck will offset losses from the drop in Merck's long position.

The idea behind Apple Inc and Merck Company pairs trading is to make the combined position market-neutral, meaning the overall market's direction will not affect its win or loss (or potential downside or upside). This can be achieved by designing a pairs trade with two highly correlated stocks or equities that operate in a similar space or sector, making it possible to obtain profits through simple and relatively low-risk investment.

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Note that this page's information should be used as a complementary analysis to find the right mix of equity instruments to add to your existing portfolios or create a brand new portfolio. You can also try the Bonds Directory module to find actively traded corporate debentures issued by US companies.