Correlation Between First Merchants and First Financial

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

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

Diversification Opportunities for First Merchants and First Financial

0.6

Correlation Coefficient

First Merchants  First Financial

Poor diversification

The 3 months correlation between First and First is 0.6. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding First Merchants and First Financial Bancorp in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on First Financial Bancorp and First Merchants 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 Merchants are associated (or correlated) with First Financial. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of First Financial Bancorp has no effect on the direction of First Merchants i.e., First Merchants and First Financial go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between First Merchants and First Financial

Given the investment horizon of 90 days First Merchants is expected to under-perform the First Financial. But the stock apears to be less risky and, when comparing its historical volatility, First Merchants is 1.12 times less risky than First Financial. The stock trades about -0.11 of its potential returns per unit of risk. The First Financial Bancorp is currently generating about -0.03 of returns per unit of risk over similar time horizon. If you would invest  2,436  in First Financial Bancorp on July 19, 2025 and sell it today you would lose (110.00) from holding First Financial Bancorp or give up 4.52% of portfolio value over 90 days.

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

First Merchants  vs.  First Financial Bancorp

First Merchants

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Weakest

Over the last 90 days First Merchants has generated negative risk-adjusted returns adding no value to investors with long positions. In spite of latest weak performance, the Stock's primary indicators remain sound and the latest tumult on Wall Street may also be a sign of longer-term gains for the firm shareholders.

First Financial Bancorp

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Weakest

Over the last 90 days First Financial Bancorp has generated negative risk-adjusted returns adding no value to investors with long positions. In spite of rather sound fundamental drivers, First Financial is not utilizing all of its potentials. The latest stock price tumult, may contribute to shorter-term losses for the shareholders.

Pair Trading with First Merchants and First Financial

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

The idea behind First Merchants and First Financial Bancorp 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 Stock Screener module to find equities using a custom stock filter or screen asymmetry in trading patterns, price, volume, or investment outlook..