Correlation Between Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck

Can any of the company-specific risk be diversified away by investing in both Bristol-Myers Squibb 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck into the same portfolio, which is an essential part of the fundamental portfolio management process.

By analyzing existing cross correlation between Bristol Myers Squibb and Merck Company, you can compare the effects of market volatilities on Bristol-Myers Squibb 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb with a short position of Merck. Check out your portfolio center. Please also check ongoing floating volatility patterns of Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck.

Diversification Opportunities for Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck

-0.51

Correlation Coefficient

Bristol-Myers Squibb  Merck

Excellent diversification

The 3 months correlation between Bristol-Myers and Merck is -0.51. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Bristol Myers Squibb and Merck Company in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on Merck Company and Bristol-Myers Squibb 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 Bristol Myers Squibb 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb i.e., Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck

Assuming the 90 days horizon Bristol Myers Squibb is expected to under-perform the Merck. In addition to that, Bristol-Myers Squibb is 2.01 times more volatile than Merck Company. It trades about -0.06 of its total potential returns per unit of risk. Merck Company is currently generating about -0.09 per unit of volatility. If you would invest  10,273  in Merck Company on December 5, 2024 and sell it today you would lose (1,017) from holding Merck Company or give up 9.9% of portfolio value over 90 days.

Time Period	3 Months [change]
Direction	Moves Against
Strength	Very Weak
Accuracy	42.37%
Values	Daily Returns

Bristol Myers Squibb  vs.  Merck Company

Bristol Myers Squibb

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Very Weak

Over the last 90 days Bristol Myers Squibb has generated negative risk-adjusted returns adding no value to investors with long positions. Even with fragile performance in the last few months, the Stock's primary indicators remain relatively invariable which may send shares a bit higher in April 2025. The latest agitation may also be a sign of long-running up-swing for the enterprise retail investors.

Merck Company

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Very Weak

Over the last 90 days Merck Company has generated negative risk-adjusted returns adding no value to investors with long positions. Despite latest abnormal performance, the Stock's basic indicators remain persistent and the latest mess on Wall Street may also be a sign of long-standing gains for the company institutional investors.

Pair Trading with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck

The main advantage of trading using opposite Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck positions is that it hedges away some unsystematic risk. Because of two separate transactions, even if Bristol-Myers Squibb 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 Bristol Myers Squibb 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 Bollinger Bands module to use Bollinger Bands indicator to analyze target price for a given investing horizon.