Correlation Between Exxon and Merck

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

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

Diversification Opportunities for Exxon and Merck

0.53

Correlation Coefficient

Exxon  Merck

Very weak diversification

The 3 months correlation between Exxon and Merck is 0.53. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Exxon Mobil Corp and Merck Company in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on Merck Company and Exxon 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 Exxon Mobil Corp 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 Exxon i.e., Exxon and Merck go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Exxon and Merck

Considering the 90-day investment horizon Exxon Mobil Corp is expected to generate 0.65 times more return on investment than Merck. However, Exxon Mobil Corp is 1.53 times less risky than Merck. It trades about 0.33 of its potential returns per unit of risk. Merck Company is currently generating about 0.06 per unit of risk. If you would invest  11,299  in Exxon Mobil Corp on January 20, 2024 and sell it today you would earn a total of  689.00  from holding Exxon Mobil Corp or generate 6.1% return on investment over 90 days.

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

Exxon Mobil Corp  vs.  Merck Company

Exxon Mobil Corp

Risk-Adjusted Performance

26 of 100

Strong

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in Exxon Mobil Corp are ranked lower than 26 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. In spite of very conflicting basic indicators, Exxon displayed solid returns over the last few months and may actually be approaching a breakup point.

Merck Company

Risk-Adjusted Performance

6 of 100

Modest

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in Merck Company are ranked lower than 6 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. Despite quite persistent basic indicators, Merck is not utilizing all of its potentials. The newest stock price mess, may contribute to short-term losses for the institutional investors.

Pair Trading with Exxon and Merck

The main advantage of trading using opposite Exxon and Merck positions is that it hedges away some unsystematic risk. Because of two separate transactions, even if Exxon 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 Exxon Mobil Corp 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 Financial Widgets module to easily integrated Macroaxis content with over 30 different plug-and-play financial widgets.