Correlation Between Merck and Western Asset

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

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

Diversification Opportunities for Merck and Western Asset

-0.41

Correlation Coefficient

Merck  Western Asset

Very good diversification

The 3 months correlation between Merck and Western is -0.41. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Merck Company and Western Asset Total in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on Western Asset Total 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 Western Asset. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of Western Asset Total has no effect on the direction of Merck i.e., Merck and Western Asset go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Merck and Western Asset

Considering the 90-day investment horizon Merck Company is expected to under-perform the Western Asset. In addition to that, Merck is 5.84 times more volatile than Western Asset Total. It trades about -0.08 of its total potential returns per unit of risk. Western Asset Total is currently generating about 0.12 per unit of volatility. If you would invest  1,946  in Western Asset Total on December 28, 2024 and sell it today you would earn a total of  45.00  from holding Western Asset Total or generate 2.31% return on investment over 90 days.

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

Merck Company  vs.  Western Asset Total

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.

Western Asset Total

Risk-Adjusted Performance

OK

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in Western Asset Total are ranked lower than 9 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. In spite of rather sound basic indicators, Western Asset is not utilizing all of its potentials. The latest stock price tumult, may contribute to shorter-term losses for the shareholders.

Pair Trading with Merck and Western Asset

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

The idea behind Merck Company and Western Asset Total 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 Comparator module to compare the composition, asset allocations and performance of any two portfolios in your account.