Correlation Between American Express and Merck

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

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

Diversification Opportunities for American Express and Merck

-0.79

Correlation Coefficient

American Express  Merck

Pay attention - limited upside

The 3 months correlation between American and Merck is -0.79. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding American Express and Merck Company in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on Merck Company and American Express 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 American Express 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 Company has no effect on the direction of American Express i.e., American Express and Merck go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between American Express and Merck

Considering the 90-day investment horizon American Express is expected to generate 1.42 times more return on investment than Merck. However, American Express is 1.42 times more volatile than Merck Company. It trades about 0.18 of its potential returns per unit of risk. Merck Company is currently generating about -0.15 per unit of risk. If you would invest  25,365  in American Express on August 31, 2024 and sell it today you would earn a total of  5,060  from holding American Express or generate 19.95% return on investment over 90 days.

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

American Express  vs.  Merck Company

American Express

Risk-Adjusted Performance

14 of 100

Good

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in American Express are ranked lower than 14 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. Even with relatively abnormal basic indicators, American Express reported solid returns over the last few months and may actually be approaching a breakup point.

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 latest abnormal 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.

Pair Trading with American Express and Merck

The main advantage of trading using opposite American Express and Merck positions is that it hedges away some unsystematic risk. Because of two separate transactions, even if American Express 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 American Express and Merck Company 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 Idea Breakdown module to analyze constituents of all Macroaxis ideas. Macroaxis investment ideas are predefined, sector-focused investing themes.