Correlation Between Western Union and American Express

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

By analyzing existing cross correlation between Western Union Co and American Express, you can compare the effects of market volatilities on Western Union and American Express 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 Western Union with a short position of American Express. Check out your portfolio center. Please also check ongoing floating volatility patterns of Western Union and American Express.

Diversification Opportunities for Western Union and American Express

-0.29

Correlation Coefficient

Western Union  American Express

Very good diversification

The 3 months correlation between Western and American is -0.29. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Western Union Co and American Express in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on American Express and Western Union 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 Western Union Co are associated (or correlated) with American Express. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of American Express has no effect on the direction of Western Union i.e., Western Union and American Express go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Western Union and American Express

Allowing for the 90-day total investment horizon Western Union Co is expected to under-perform the American Express. But the stock apears to be less risky and, when comparing its historical volatility, Western Union Co is 1.32 times less risky than American Express. The stock trades about -0.07 of its potential returns per unit of risk. The American Express is currently generating about -0.05 of returns per unit of risk over similar time horizon. If you would invest  29,233  in American Express on January 10, 2025 and sell it today you would lose (2,997) from holding American Express or give up 10.25% of portfolio value over 90 days.

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

Western Union Co  vs.  American Express

Western Union

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Very Weak

Over the last 90 days Western Union Co has generated negative risk-adjusted returns adding no value to investors with long positions. In spite of latest inconsistent performance, the Stock's basic indicators remain stable and the newest uproar on Wall Street may also be a sign of mid-term gains for the firm private investors.

American Express

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Very Weak

Over the last 90 days American Express has generated negative risk-adjusted returns adding no value to investors with long positions. Even with latest abnormal performance, the Stock's basic indicators remain invariable and the latest agitation on Wall Street may also be a sign of long-running gains for the enterprise retail investors.

Pair Trading with Western Union and American Express

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

The idea behind Western Union Co and American Express 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 Commodity Directory module to find actively traded commodities issued by global exchanges.