Gary S. Williams, The Daily Record Newswire
Investors hear a lot about the benefits of asset allocation, that is, spreading your assets among different types of investments to help reduce risk. But less discussed is an equally important measurement: correlation, which is a way to measure how closely related two types of investments are. In theory, you could be invested in multiple securities of differing types and classes, but if they are all closely correlated, your portfolio may not be as diverse as you think — and could open you up to more risk than you intended.
Correlation is expressed as a number between 1.00 and -1.00.
A “1.00” indicates an absolute positive correlation (that is, the assets under comparison always move together in the same direction).
A “0” correlation indicates there is no relationship between the assets.
A “-1.00” indicates an absolute negative correlation (the assets always move together in opposite directions of each other).
Very few assets have a pure 1.00 to 1.00 or -1.00 to -1.00 relationship. Generally, most experts consider a correlation value between 0 and 0.50 as a weak correlation, while a value of 0.50 and higher is progressively stronger. The farther from a 1.00 correlation two investments are, the more diversification you may realize.
If you’d like to determine the correlation of your portfolio, the easiest way may be to contact your financial professional. You can also search the web for an investment correlation calculator — a number of brokerage firms and other financial sites have tools, but few are free to use.
Markets march in unison
One important consideration for investors to keep in mind is that the financial markets are increasingly marching in unison, making correlating your investments increasingly difficult. A variety of factors are causing this trend, including:
•Globalized economies: The growth of global trade and the proliferation of worldwide investment firms mean that the fortunes of both large corporations and the investors who own their stock are tied together as never before.
• Reliance on U.S. dollars: Many foreign governments and global financial institutions rely on U.S. dollars as a reserve currency to pay debts or to influence exchange rates. Given this situation, the health of the U.S. economy and the actions of the Federal Reserve reverberate globally, as do events in Europe and beyond.
What investors can do
If climbing correlations concern you, consider the strategies that may help you balance risk and return, including:
• Combining stocks with other types of assets. Adding exposure to bonds, real estate and commodities may help you to balance returns over the long term.
• Considering investments that generate income. Dividend-paying stocks, bonds and REITs are popular with investors searching for income. When stock returns are uncertain, dividends provide something in the way of a return. Dividends are not guaranteed and companies that issue dividend-paying stock can stop at any time.
Be sure to remember that alternative investments and commodities are risky, too.
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Gary S. Williams, CFP, CRPC, AIF, is president of Williams Asset Management. . He can be reached at
410-740-0220or Gary@WilliamsAsset.com.
