Correlation Between First Trust and IShares Biotechnology

Can any of the company-specific risk be diversified away by investing in both First Trust and IShares Biotechnology 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 First Trust and IShares Biotechnology into the same portfolio, which is an essential part of the fundamental portfolio management process.

By analyzing existing cross correlation between First Trust Exchange Traded and iShares Biotechnology ETF, you can compare the effects of market volatilities on First Trust and IShares Biotechnology 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 First Trust with a short position of IShares Biotechnology. Check out your portfolio center. Please also check ongoing floating volatility patterns of First Trust and IShares Biotechnology.

Diversification Opportunities for First Trust and IShares Biotechnology

0.6

Correlation Coefficient

First Trust  IShares Biotechnology

Poor diversification

The 3 months correlation between First and IShares is 0.6. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding First Trust Exchange Traded and iShares Biotechnology ETF in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on iShares Biotechnology ETF and First Trust 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 First Trust Exchange Traded are associated (or correlated) with IShares Biotechnology. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of iShares Biotechnology ETF has no effect on the direction of First Trust i.e., First Trust and IShares Biotechnology go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between First Trust and IShares Biotechnology

Given the investment horizon of 90 days First Trust Exchange Traded is expected to under-perform the IShares Biotechnology. But the etf apears to be less risky and, when comparing its historical volatility, First Trust Exchange Traded is 1.62 times less risky than IShares Biotechnology. The etf trades about -0.44 of its potential returns per unit of risk. The iShares Biotechnology ETF is currently generating about -0.05 of returns per unit of risk over similar time horizon. If you would invest  13,866  in iShares Biotechnology ETF on December 2, 2024 and sell it today you would lose (163.00) from holding iShares Biotechnology ETF or give up 1.18% of portfolio value over 90 days.

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

First Trust Exchange Traded  vs.  iShares Biotechnology ETF

First Trust Exchange

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Very Weak

Over the last 90 days First Trust Exchange Traded has generated negative risk-adjusted returns adding no value to investors with long positions. In spite of fairly stable technical and fundamental indicators, First Trust is not utilizing all of its potentials. The latest stock price fuss, may contribute to near-short-term losses for the sophisticated investors.

iShares Biotechnology ETF

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Very Weak

Over the last 90 days iShares Biotechnology ETF has generated negative risk-adjusted returns adding no value to investors with long positions. Despite somewhat strong fundamental drivers, IShares Biotechnology is not utilizing all of its potentials. The latest stock price disturbance, may contribute to short-term losses for the investors.

Pair Trading with First Trust and IShares Biotechnology

The main advantage of trading using opposite First Trust and IShares Biotechnology positions is that it hedges away some unsystematic risk. Because of two separate transactions, even if First Trust position performs unexpectedly, IShares Biotechnology 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 IShares Biotechnology will offset losses from the drop in IShares Biotechnology's long position.

The idea behind First Trust Exchange Traded and iShares Biotechnology ETF 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 Portfolio Holdings module to check your current holdings and cash postion to detemine if your portfolio needs rebalancing.