Correlation Between Southwest Airlines and United Airlines

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

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

Diversification Opportunities for Southwest Airlines and United Airlines

0.62

Correlation Coefficient

Southwest Airlines  United Airlines

Poor diversification

The 3 months correlation between Southwest and United is 0.62. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Southwest Airlines and United Airlines Holdings in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on United Airlines Holdings and Southwest Airlines 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 Southwest Airlines are associated (or correlated) with United Airlines. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of United Airlines Holdings has no effect on the direction of Southwest Airlines i.e., Southwest Airlines and United Airlines go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Southwest Airlines and United Airlines

Considering the 90-day investment horizon Southwest Airlines is expected to generate 14.03 times less return on investment than United Airlines. But when comparing it to its historical volatility, Southwest Airlines is 1.31 times less risky than United Airlines. It trades about 0.01 of its potential returns per unit of risk. United Airlines Holdings is currently generating about 0.09 of returns per unit of risk over similar time horizon. If you would invest  7,535  in United Airlines Holdings on May 7, 2025 and sell it today you would earn a total of  1,231  from holding United Airlines Holdings or generate 16.34% return on investment over 90 days.

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

Southwest Airlines  vs.  United Airlines Holdings

Southwest Airlines

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Weakest

Over the last 90 days Southwest Airlines has generated negative risk-adjusted returns adding no value to investors with long positions. In spite of fairly stable basic indicators, Southwest Airlines is not utilizing all of its potentials. The latest stock price fuss, may contribute to near-short-term losses for the sophisticated investors.

United Airlines Holdings

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Fair

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in United Airlines Holdings are ranked lower than 7 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. Despite quite conflicting basic indicators, United Airlines disclosed solid returns over the last few months and may actually be approaching a breakup point.

Pair Trading with Southwest Airlines and United Airlines

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

The idea behind Southwest Airlines and United Airlines Holdings 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 ETF Categories module to list of ETF categories grouped based on various criteria, such as the investment strategy or type of investments.