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Summing Up: Currency Correlation
Summary: Currency Correlation and Its Impact on Trading
Some currency pairs move in sync, like professional dancers executing perfectly synchronized moves. Others behave like magnets with the same poles—repelling each other and moving in opposite directions.
If you're trading multiple currency pairs simultaneously, it's crucial to understand their interconnection. At first glance, trading different pairs may seem like a way to diversify risk, but if they have high correlation, your exposure to risk actually increases.
Currency pair correlations can remain stable for weeks, months, or even years, but they are not fixed and may change over time. Therefore, it’s essential to regularly monitor correlation coefficients to make better decisions regarding capital management, hedging, and risk diversification.
Key Aspects of Currency Correlation
- Correlation coefficients are calculated based on closing prices.
- A positive correlation means that currency pairs move in the same direction.
- A negative correlation means that currency pairs move in opposite directions.
- A correlation coefficient close to +1 or -1 indicates a strong relationship between pairs.
- Correlation can be used for hedging, diversification, increasing positions, and avoiding duplicate trades.
Examples of Currency Pairs Moving in the Same Direction (Positive Correlation):
- EUR/USD and GBP/USD
- EUR/USD and AUD/USD
- EUR/USD and NZD/USD
- USD/CHF and USD/JPY
- AUD/USD and NZD/USD
These pairs have high positive correlation, meaning they typically move in the same direction. For example, if EUR/USD rises, GBP/USD is also likely to increase.
Examples of Currency Pairs Moving in Opposite Directions (Negative Correlation):
- EUR/USD and USD/CHF
- GBP/USD and USD/JPY
- USD/CAD and AUD/USD
- USD/JPY and AUD/USD
- GBP/USD and USD/CHF
Pairs with negative correlation move in opposite directions. For instance, if EUR/USD is rising, USD/CHF is likely to be falling.
How to Use Currency Correlation in Trading?
- Avoid excessive risk – Do not open similar trades on highly correlated pairs, as this increases your exposure.
- Utilize hedging – By trading pairs with negative correlation, you can partially offset potential losses.
- Diversify your portfolio – Instead of trading just one pair, distribute your trades across weakly correlated assets.
- Confirm trading signals – Analyze how correlated pairs are behaving before entering the market.
If you plan to trade multiple currency pairs at the same time, always consider their correlation and apply risk management rules. This will help you avoid unnecessary losses and make your trading more efficient and secure. 🚀