Lesson

Correlation indicates the extent to which two or more variables move in relation to each other. Correlation helps investors make informed decisions about portfolio diversification.

Practice Question #1

What does a correlation coefficient of -0.8 indicate?

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Terms

Correlation:
A statistical measure that indicates the extent to which two or more variables move in relation to each other.
Positive correlation:
When two variables move in the same direction, i.e., when one increases, the other also increases.
Negative correlation:
When two variables move in opposite directions, i.e., when one increases, the other decreases.
Correlation coefficient:
A numerical value between -1 and 1 representing the strength and direction of the correlation between two variables.
No correlation:
A correlation coefficient of 0 indicates no relationship between the movements of two variables.
Diversification:
Spreading investments across different assets to reduce risk.

Practice Question #2

Which of the following is NOT a reason to analyze correlation in finance?

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Historical Example

In the early 2000s, many investors believed that housing prices and stock market returns were negatively correlated, meaning that the other would decrease when one increased. This belief led to the overinvestment in real estate as a means of diversification. However, during the 2008 financial crisis, housing prices and stock market returns plummeted, proving that the assumed negative correlation was inaccurate.

Practice Question #3

What is the main difference between correlation and covariance?

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Real-World Example

An investor is considering adding gold to their portfolio, consisting of stocks and bonds. They analyze the historical returns of gold, stocks, and bonds and find that gold has a low or negative correlation with stocks and bonds. Adding gold to their portfolio could help diversify their investments and reduce overall risk.

Practice Question #4

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More Detail

* Interpreting correlation values: Understanding the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables based on the correlation coefficient, which ranges from -1 to 1. * Correlation versus covariance: Correlation is a standardized measure of the relationship between two variables, while covariance is an unstandardized measure that indicates the direction of the relationship.

Practice Question #5

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More Detail Examples

* Interpreting correlation values: A correlation of 0.8 indicates a strong positive relationship between two variables, while a correlation of -0.5 indicates a moderate negative relationship. * Correlation versus covariance: If the covariance between two variables is 15, it indicates a positive relationship, but the strength of the relationship is unclear. If the correlation is 0.6, it indicates a moderately strong positive relationship.

Practice Question #6

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Pitfalls to Remember

Interpreting correlation values:
Correlation does not imply causation, meaning that a strong correlation between two variables does not necessarily mean that one variable causes the other.
Correlation versus covariance:
Covariance values are difficult to interpret independently, as they depend on the units of the variables, while correlation values are standardized and easier to interpret.

Practice Question #7

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Practice Question #8

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Practice Question #9

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