Correlation Between IShares MSCI and Vanguard FTSE

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

By analyzing existing cross correlation between iShares MSCI EAFE and Vanguard FTSE Developed, you can compare the effects of market volatilities on IShares MSCI and Vanguard FTSE 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 IShares MSCI with a short position of Vanguard FTSE. Check out your portfolio center. Please also check ongoing floating volatility patterns of IShares MSCI and Vanguard FTSE.

Diversification Opportunities for IShares MSCI and Vanguard FTSE

0.74

Correlation Coefficient

IShares MSCI  Vanguard FTSE

Poor diversification

The 3 months correlation between IShares and Vanguard is 0.74. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding iShares MSCI EAFE and Vanguard FTSE Developed in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on Vanguard FTSE Developed and IShares MSCI 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 iShares MSCI EAFE are associated (or correlated) with Vanguard FTSE. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of Vanguard FTSE Developed has no effect on the direction of IShares MSCI i.e., IShares MSCI and Vanguard FTSE go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between IShares MSCI and Vanguard FTSE

Assuming the 90 days trading horizon iShares MSCI EAFE is expected to generate 1.02 times more return on investment than Vanguard FTSE. However, IShares MSCI is 1.02 times more volatile than Vanguard FTSE Developed. It trades about 0.08 of its potential returns per unit of risk. Vanguard FTSE Developed is currently generating about 0.08 per unit of risk. If you would invest  3,206  in iShares MSCI EAFE on September 4, 2024 and sell it today you would earn a total of  459.00  from holding iShares MSCI EAFE or generate 14.32% return on investment over 90 days.

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

iShares MSCI EAFE  vs.  Vanguard FTSE Developed

iShares MSCI EAFE

Risk-Adjusted Performance

4 of 100

Insignificant

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in iShares MSCI EAFE are ranked lower than 4 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. In spite of very healthy basic indicators, IShares MSCI is not utilizing all of its potentials. The recent stock price disarray, may contribute to short-term losses for the investors.

Vanguard FTSE Developed

Risk-Adjusted Performance

2 of 100

Weak

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in Vanguard FTSE Developed are ranked lower than 2 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. In spite of very healthy basic indicators, Vanguard FTSE is not utilizing all of its potentials. The recent stock price disarray, may contribute to short-term losses for the investors.

Pair Trading with IShares MSCI and Vanguard FTSE

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

The idea behind iShares MSCI EAFE and Vanguard FTSE Developed 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 Pair Correlation module to compare performance and examine fundamental relationship between any two equity instruments.