Correlation Between Merck and ProShares Russell

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

By analyzing existing cross correlation between Merck Company and ProShares Russell 2000, you can compare the effects of market volatilities on Merck and ProShares Russell 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 ProShares Russell. Check out your portfolio center. Please also check ongoing floating volatility patterns of Merck and ProShares Russell.

Diversification Opportunities for Merck and ProShares Russell

-0.71

Correlation Coefficient

Merck  ProShares Russell

Pay attention - limited upside

The 3 months correlation between Merck and ProShares is -0.71. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Merck Company and ProShares Russell 2000 in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on ProShares Russell 2000 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 ProShares Russell. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of ProShares Russell 2000 has no effect on the direction of Merck i.e., Merck and ProShares Russell go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Merck and ProShares Russell

Considering the 90-day investment horizon Merck Company is expected to under-perform the ProShares Russell. But the stock apears to be less risky and, when comparing its historical volatility, Merck Company is 1.07 times less risky than ProShares Russell. The stock trades about -0.17 of its potential returns per unit of risk. The ProShares Russell 2000 is currently generating about 0.13 of returns per unit of risk over similar time horizon. If you would invest  6,662  in ProShares Russell 2000 on September 12, 2024 and sell it today you would earn a total of  714.00  from holding ProShares Russell 2000 or generate 10.72% 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.  ProShares Russell 2000

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. Despite weak performance in the last few months, the Stock's basic indicators remain quite persistent which may send shares a bit higher in January 2025. The latest mess may also be a sign of long-standing up-swing for the company institutional investors.

ProShares Russell 2000

Risk-Adjusted Performance

10 of 100

OK

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in ProShares Russell 2000 are ranked lower than 10 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. In spite of fairly fragile fundamental indicators, ProShares Russell may actually be approaching a critical reversion point that can send shares even higher in January 2025.

Pair Trading with Merck and ProShares Russell

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

The idea behind Merck Company and ProShares Russell 2000 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 Premium Stories module to follow Macroaxis premium stories from verified contributors across different equity types, categories and coverage scope.