Correlation Between Vanguard Small and MFS Active

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

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

Diversification Opportunities for Vanguard Small and MFS Active

0.98

Correlation Coefficient

Vanguard Small  MFS Active

Almost no diversification

The 3 months correlation between Vanguard and MFS is 0.98. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Vanguard Small Cap Index and MFS Active Value in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on MFS Active Value and Vanguard 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 Vanguard Small Cap Index are associated (or correlated) with MFS Active. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of MFS Active Value has no effect on the direction of Vanguard Small i.e., Vanguard Small and MFS Active go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Vanguard Small and MFS Active

Allowing for the 90-day total investment horizon Vanguard Small Cap Index is expected to generate 1.6 times more return on investment than MFS Active. However, Vanguard Small is 1.6 times more volatile than MFS Active Value. It trades about 0.21 of its potential returns per unit of risk. MFS Active Value is currently generating about 0.18 per unit of risk. If you would invest  21,605  in Vanguard Small Cap Index on April 29, 2025 and sell it today you would earn a total of  3,065  from holding Vanguard Small Cap Index or generate 14.19% return on investment over 90 days.

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

Vanguard Small Cap Index  vs.  MFS Active Value

Vanguard Small Cap

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Solid

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in Vanguard Small Cap Index are ranked lower than 16 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. Despite somewhat unfluctuating fundamental drivers, Vanguard Small sustained solid returns over the last few months and may actually be approaching a breakup point.

MFS Active Value

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Good

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

Pair Trading with Vanguard Small and MFS Active

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

The idea behind Vanguard Small Cap Index and MFS Active Value 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 Portfolio Volatility module to check portfolio volatility and analyze historical return density to properly model market risk.