Correlation Between Schwab Small and First Trust

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

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

Diversification Opportunities for Schwab Small and First Trust

0.92

Correlation Coefficient

Schwab Small  First Trust

Almost no diversification

The 3 months correlation between Schwab and First is 0.92. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Schwab Small Cap Index and First Trust Preferred in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on First Trust Preferred and Schwab 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 Schwab Small Cap Index 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 Preferred has no effect on the direction of Schwab Small i.e., Schwab Small and First Trust go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Schwab Small and First Trust

Assuming the 90 days horizon Schwab Small Cap Index is expected to generate 6.6 times more return on investment than First Trust. However, Schwab Small is 6.6 times more volatile than First Trust Preferred. It trades about 0.12 of its potential returns per unit of risk. First Trust Preferred is currently generating about 0.36 per unit of risk. If you would invest  3,635  in Schwab Small Cap Index on July 24, 2025 and sell it today you would earn a total of  335.00  from holding Schwab Small Cap Index or generate 9.22% return on investment over 90 days.

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

Schwab Small Cap Index  vs.  First Trust Preferred

Schwab Small Cap

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Good

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in Schwab Small Cap Index are ranked lower than 9 (%) of all funds and portfolios of funds over the last 90 days. In spite of fairly weak basic indicators, Schwab Small may actually be approaching a critical reversion point that can send shares even higher in November 2025.

First Trust Preferred

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Weakest

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in First Trust Preferred are ranked lower than 28 (%) of all funds and portfolios of funds over the last 90 days. In spite of fairly strong basic indicators, First Trust is not utilizing all of its potentials. The current stock price disturbance, may contribute to short-term losses for the investors.

Pair Trading with Schwab Small and First Trust

The main advantage of trading using opposite Schwab Small and First Trust positions is that it hedges away some unsystematic risk. Because of two separate transactions, even if Schwab Small 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 Schwab Small Cap Index and First Trust Preferred 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 Center module to all portfolio management and optimization tools to improve performance of your portfolios.