Correlation Between Merck and IShares IBoxx

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

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

Diversification Opportunities for Merck and IShares IBoxx

-0.66

Correlation Coefficient

Merck  IShares IBoxx

Excellent diversification

The 3 months correlation between Merck and IShares is -0.66. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Merck Company and iShares iBoxx High in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on iShares iBoxx High and Merck 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 Merck Company are associated (or correlated) with IShares IBoxx. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of iShares iBoxx High has no effect on the direction of Merck i.e., Merck and IShares IBoxx go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Merck and IShares IBoxx

Considering the 90-day investment horizon Merck Company is expected to under-perform the IShares IBoxx. In addition to that, Merck is 6.79 times more volatile than iShares iBoxx High. It trades about -0.08 of its total potential returns per unit of risk. iShares iBoxx High is currently generating about 0.08 per unit of volatility. If you would invest  7,794  in iShares iBoxx High on December 28, 2024 and sell it today you would earn a total of  100.00  from holding iShares iBoxx High or generate 1.28% return on investment over 90 days.

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

Merck Company  vs.  iShares iBoxx High

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 uncertain 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.

iShares iBoxx High

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Modest

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in iShares iBoxx High are ranked lower than 6 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. Despite nearly stable basic indicators, IShares IBoxx is not utilizing all of its potentials. The latest stock price disturbance, may contribute to mid-run losses for the stockholders.

Pair Trading with Merck and IShares IBoxx

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

The idea behind Merck Company and iShares iBoxx High 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 Efficient Frontier module to plot and analyze your portfolio and positions against risk-return landscape of the market..