Correlation Between Vanguard Small and Small Cap

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

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

Diversification Opportunities for Vanguard Small and Small Cap

0.98

Correlation Coefficient

Vanguard Small  Small Cap

Almost no diversification

The 3 months correlation between Vanguard and Small is 0.98. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Vanguard Small Cap Index and Small Cap Stock in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on Small Cap Stock and Vanguard Small 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 Vanguard Small Cap Index are associated (or correlated) with Small Cap. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of Small Cap Stock has no effect on the direction of Vanguard Small i.e., Vanguard Small and Small Cap go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Vanguard Small and Small Cap

Assuming the 90 days horizon Vanguard Small Cap Index is expected to under-perform the Small Cap. But the mutual fund apears to be less risky and, when comparing its historical volatility, Vanguard Small Cap Index is 1.13 times less risky than Small Cap. The mutual fund trades about -0.01 of its potential returns per unit of risk. The Small Cap Stock is currently generating about 0.01 of returns per unit of risk over similar time horizon. If you would invest  1,442  in Small Cap Stock on August 1, 2025 and sell it today you would earn a total of  1.00  from holding Small Cap Stock or generate 0.07% return on investment over 90 days.

Time Period	3 Months [change]
Direction	Moves Together
Strength	Very Strong
Accuracy	95.65%
Values	Daily Returns

Vanguard Small Cap Index  vs.  Small Cap Stock

Vanguard Small Cap

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Fair

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in Vanguard Small Cap Index are ranked lower than 8 (%) of all funds and portfolios of funds over the last 90 days. In spite of fairly weak basic indicators, Vanguard Small may actually be approaching a critical reversion point that can send shares even higher in November 2025.

Small Cap Stock

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Fair

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in Small Cap Stock are ranked lower than 10 (%) of all funds and portfolios of funds over the last 90 days. In spite of fairly weak fundamental indicators, Small Cap may actually be approaching a critical reversion point that can send shares even higher in November 2025.

Pair Trading with Vanguard Small and Small Cap

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

The idea behind Vanguard Small Cap Index and Small Cap Stock 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 Portfolio Dashboard module to portfolio dashboard that provides centralized access to all your investments.