Correlation Between First Trust and IShares Russell

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

By analyzing existing cross correlation between First Trust Large and iShares Russell 2000, you can compare the effects of market volatilities on First Trust and IShares 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 First Trust with a short position of IShares Russell. Check out your portfolio center. Please also check ongoing floating volatility patterns of First Trust and IShares Russell.

Diversification Opportunities for First Trust and IShares Russell

0.88

Correlation Coefficient

First Trust  IShares Russell

Very poor diversification

The 24 months correlation between First and IShares is 0.88. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding First Trust Large and iShares Russell 2000 in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on iShares Russell 2000 and First Trust 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 First Trust Large are associated (or correlated) with IShares Russell. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of iShares Russell 2000 has no effect on the direction of First Trust i.e., First Trust and IShares Russell go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between First Trust and IShares Russell

Considering the 90-day investment horizon First Trust is expected to generate 1.66 times less return on investment than IShares Russell. But when comparing it to its historical volatility, First Trust Large is 1.59 times less risky than IShares Russell. It trades about 0.34 of its potential returns per unit of risk. iShares Russell 2000 is currently generating about 0.35 of returns per unit of risk over similar time horizon. If you would invest  19,300  in iShares Russell 2000 on February 17, 2024 and sell it today you would earn a total of  1,493  from holding iShares Russell 2000 or generate 7.74% return on investment over 90 days.

Time Period	24 Months [change]
Direction	Moves Together
Strength	Strong
Accuracy	95.65%
Values	Daily Returns

First Trust Large  vs.  iShares Russell 2000

First Trust Large

Risk-Adjusted Performance

2 of 100

Good

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in First Trust Large are ranked lower than 2 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. Despite somewhat strong basic indicators, First Trust is not utilizing all of its potentials. The latest stock price disturbance, may contribute to short-term losses for the investors.

iShares Russell 2000

Risk-Adjusted Performance

2 of 100

Modest

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in iShares Russell 2000 are ranked lower than 2 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. In spite of very healthy basic indicators, IShares Russell is not utilizing all of its potentials. The current stock price disarray, may contribute to short-term losses for the investors.

Pair Trading with First Trust and IShares Russell

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

The idea behind First Trust Large and iShares 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.

Check out your portfolio center.

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 Performance Analysis module to check effects of mean-variance optimization against your current asset allocation.