Correlation Between SPDR Barclays and First Trust

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

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

Diversification Opportunities for SPDR Barclays and First Trust

0.8

Correlation Coefficient

SPDR Barclays  First Trust

Very poor diversification

The 3 months correlation between SPDR and First is 0.8. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding SPDR Barclays Intermediate and First Trust SMID in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on First Trust SMID and SPDR Barclays 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 SPDR Barclays Intermediate 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 SMID has no effect on the direction of SPDR Barclays i.e., SPDR Barclays and First Trust go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between SPDR Barclays and First Trust

Given the investment horizon of 90 days SPDR Barclays is expected to generate 7.04 times less return on investment than First Trust. But when comparing it to its historical volatility, SPDR Barclays Intermediate is 5.55 times less risky than First Trust. It trades about 0.14 of its potential returns per unit of risk. First Trust SMID is currently generating about 0.18 of returns per unit of risk over similar time horizon. If you would invest  3,259  in First Trust SMID on April 29, 2025 and sell it today you would earn a total of  401.00  from holding First Trust SMID or generate 12.3% return on investment over 90 days.

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

SPDR Barclays Intermediate  vs.  First Trust SMID

SPDR Barclays Interm

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Good

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in SPDR Barclays Intermediate are ranked lower than 11 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. Despite somewhat strong forward indicators, SPDR Barclays is not utilizing all of its potentials. The current stock price disturbance, may contribute to short-term losses for the investors.

First Trust SMID

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Good

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in First Trust SMID are ranked lower than 14 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. In spite of fairly weak basic indicators, First Trust may actually be approaching a critical reversion point that can send shares even higher in August 2025.

Pair Trading with SPDR Barclays and First Trust

The main advantage of trading using opposite SPDR Barclays and First Trust positions is that it hedges away some unsystematic risk. Because of two separate transactions, even if SPDR Barclays 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 SPDR Barclays Intermediate and First Trust SMID 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 Aroon Oscillator module to analyze current equity momentum using Aroon Oscillator and other momentum ratios.