Correlation Between Vanguard 500 and First Trust

Can any of the company-specific risk be diversified away by investing in both Vanguard 500 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 Vanguard 500 and First Trust into the same portfolio, which is an essential part of the fundamental portfolio management process.

By analyzing existing cross correlation between Vanguard 500 Index and First Trust Intermediate, you can compare the effects of market volatilities on Vanguard 500 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 Vanguard 500 with a short position of First Trust. Check out your portfolio center. Please also check ongoing floating volatility patterns of Vanguard 500 and First Trust.

Diversification Opportunities for Vanguard 500 and First Trust

0.54

Correlation Coefficient

Vanguard 500  First Trust

Very weak diversification

The 3 months correlation between Vanguard and First is 0.54. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Vanguard 500 Index and First Trust Intermediate in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on First Trust Intermediate and Vanguard 500 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 500 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 Intermediate has no effect on the direction of Vanguard 500 i.e., Vanguard 500 and First Trust go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Vanguard 500 and First Trust

Assuming the 90 days horizon Vanguard 500 Index is expected to generate 1.68 times more return on investment than First Trust. However, Vanguard 500 is 1.68 times more volatile than First Trust Intermediate. It trades about 0.32 of its potential returns per unit of risk. First Trust Intermediate is currently generating about 0.35 per unit of risk. If you would invest  50,874  in Vanguard 500 Index on April 25, 2025 and sell it today you would earn a total of  7,845  from holding Vanguard 500 Index or generate 15.42% return on investment over 90 days.

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

Vanguard 500 Index  vs.  First Trust Intermediate

Vanguard 500 Index

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Strong

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in Vanguard 500 Index are ranked lower than 25 (%) of all funds and portfolios of funds over the last 90 days. In spite of fairly weak basic indicators, Vanguard 500 showed solid returns over the last few months and may actually be approaching a breakup point.

First Trust Intermediate

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Strong

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in First Trust Intermediate are ranked lower than 27 (%) of all funds and portfolios of funds over the last 90 days. Despite nearly fragile basic indicators, First Trust may actually be approaching a critical reversion point that can send shares even higher in August 2025.

Pair Trading with Vanguard 500 and First Trust

The main advantage of trading using opposite Vanguard 500 and First Trust positions is that it hedges away some unsystematic risk. Because of two separate transactions, even if Vanguard 500 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 Vanguard 500 Index and First Trust Intermediate 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 Fundamentals Comparison module to compare fundamentals across multiple equities to find investing opportunities.