Today is the final installment of Professor Pat’s dissertation on Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT). In it, he’ll be looking at the correlation among asset classes and will also provide you with fund recommendations that you can use as proxies with which to construct your own portfolio. But before I hand this over to the Professor, I want to thank him for providing us with his insight into MPT and for generating these tables which involved research trips to the local university’s business library and many hours of computer modeling. I am deeply grateful for his valuable time, knowledge, and effort.
Additional asset classes added for consideration should preferably be uncorrelated or negatively correlated to the other asset classes for best results. The relation between how asset classes or securities move relative to each other is defined by what is known as the Pearson correlation coefficient. The table below shows the Pearson correlation coefficients for each of the asset classes to one another. A value of +1. indicates perfect correlation while a value of -1. would reveal total negative correlation in the sense that when one asset goes up in value the other would go down in the same proportion, and vice versa. A value of zero demonstrates no correlation between the two asset classes; that is, they behave independently. (Note: The Pearson coefficient assumes a Normal distribution of data.)
Earlier, I recommended Vanguard as an excellent family of mutual funds. I do not work for Vanguard and know them only as a satisfied customer. An investor interested in forming a portfolio along the lines of the nine asset classes discussed here will find the following Vanguard funds as suitable proxies for them. Vanguard does not currently offer an International Bond fund so a T. Rowe Price no load fund with a reasonable expense ratio is listed. (Dr.K Note: Vanguard isn’t the only firm offering these type of funds. Check Morningstar for other comparable funds and note transfer fees among fund families.)
The Small Cap Index Fund (NAESX) for Small Stocks.
The Long-Term Investment Grade Fund (VWESX) for Long-Term Corporate Bonds.
The Long-Term Treasury Fund (VUSTX) for Long-Term Government Bonds.
The Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund (VFITX) for Intermediate-Term Government Bonds.
The Treasury Money Market Fund (VMPXX) for U.S. Treasury Bills.
The REIT Index Fund (VGSIX) for U.S Real-Estate Securities.
The Total International Stock Index Fund (VGTSX) for International Stocks.
The T. Rowe Price International Bond Fund (RPIBX) for International Bonds.
Hi there
I am interested in correlation coefficients for various asset classes and am keen to find out from exactly which source you found the Pearson correlation coefficient matrix (data 1927 – 2007). Is this table published in a journal or book that is easily accessible?
Many thanks
Jarvis,
I emailed your comment to Professor Pat and here’s his response:
The matrix of Pearson coefficients was computed by my elf (oops, I mean myself) using a short Java program to apply Pearson’s formula to the annual historical (1927-2007) total return data for each of the asset classes. This particular table was prepared exclusively for Dr. Kris’ Stock Market Cookbook and appears nowhere else. The historical total return data are from Ibbotson & Associates and Dimensional Fund Advisors.
Thanks a lot for getting back to me! That is very helpful.
Jarvis,
Since you showed interest in the MPT discussion, I wanted to update you personally on the tables listed in Parts II-IV. Prof. Pat informed me that he input one piece of data incorrectly. He revised the tables and discussions pertinent to them. The April 22-24 blogs have modified to reflect these changes.