Correlation Between Microsoft and Merck

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

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

Diversification Opportunities for Microsoft and Merck

0.41

Correlation Coefficient

Microsoft  Merck

Very weak diversification

The 3 months correlation between Microsoft and Merck is 0.41. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Microsoft and Merck Co in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on Merck and Microsoft 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 Microsoft 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 has no effect on the direction of Microsoft i.e., Microsoft and Merck go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Microsoft and Merck

Given the investment horizon of 90 days Microsoft is expected to generate 0.63 times more return on investment than Merck. However, Microsoft is 1.59 times less risky than Merck. It trades about 0.0 of its potential returns per unit of risk. Merck Co is currently generating about -0.04 per unit of risk. If you would invest  44,525  in Microsoft on September 26, 2024 and sell it today you would lose (592.00) from holding Microsoft or give up 1.33% of portfolio value over 90 days.

Time Period	3 Months [change]
Direction	Moves Together
Strength	Weak
Accuracy	99.21%
Values	Daily Returns

Microsoft  vs.  Merck Co

Microsoft

Risk-Adjusted Performance

2 of 100

Weak

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in Microsoft are ranked lower than 2 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. In spite of comparatively stable technical and fundamental indicators, Microsoft is not utilizing all of its potentials. The latest stock price uproar, may contribute to short-horizon losses for the private investors.

Merck

Risk-Adjusted Performance

1 of 100

Very Weak

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in Merck Co are ranked lower than 1 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. Despite somewhat strong fundamental indicators, Merck is not utilizing all of its potentials. The current stock price disturbance, may contribute to short-term losses for the investors.

Pair Trading with Microsoft and Merck

The main advantage of trading using opposite Microsoft and Merck positions is that it hedges away some unsystematic risk. Because of two separate transactions, even if Microsoft 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 Microsoft and Merck Co 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 Rebalancing module to analyze risk-adjusted returns against different time horizons to find asset-allocation targets.