Correlation Between IShares Core and First Trust

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

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

Diversification Opportunities for IShares Core and First Trust

0.66

Correlation Coefficient

IShares Core  First Trust

Poor diversification

The 3 months correlation between IShares and First is 0.66. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding iShares Core SP and First Trust AlphaDEX in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on First Trust AlphaDEX and IShares Core 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 Core SP are associated (or correlated) with First Trust. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of First Trust AlphaDEX has no effect on the direction of IShares Core i.e., IShares Core and First Trust go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between IShares Core and First Trust

Assuming the 90 days trading horizon iShares Core SP is expected to generate 1.33 times more return on investment than First Trust. However, IShares Core is 1.33 times more volatile than First Trust AlphaDEX. It trades about 0.36 of its potential returns per unit of risk. First Trust AlphaDEX is currently generating about 0.04 per unit of risk. If you would invest  5,458  in iShares Core SP on April 22, 2025 and sell it today you would earn a total of  1,022  from holding iShares Core SP or generate 18.72% return on investment over 90 days.

Time Period	3 Months [change]
Direction	Moves Together
Strength	Significant
Accuracy	98.44%
Values	Daily Returns

iShares Core SP  vs.  First Trust AlphaDEX

iShares Core SP

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Strong

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in iShares Core SP are ranked lower than 28 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. In spite of very unfluctuating basic indicators, IShares Core displayed solid returns over the last few months and may actually be approaching a breakup point.

First Trust AlphaDEX

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Weak

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in First Trust AlphaDEX are ranked lower than 2 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. In spite of comparatively stable basic indicators, First Trust is not utilizing all of its potentials. The recent stock price uproar, may contribute to short-horizon losses for the private investors.

Pair Trading with IShares Core and First Trust

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

The idea behind iShares Core SP and First Trust AlphaDEX 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 Global Markets Map module to get a quick overview of global market snapshot using zoomable world map. Drill down to check world indexes.