What Is Cluster Analysis?

Cluster analysis is a technique used to group sets of objects that share similar characteristics. It is common in statistics. Investors will use cluster analysis to develop a cluster trading approach that helps them build a diversified portfolio. Stocks that exhibit high correlations in returns fall into one basket, those slightly less correla🍰ted in another, and so on, until each stock is placed into a category.

If done correctly, the different clusters will exhibit minimal correlation from one another. This way investors gain all the virtues of 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:diversification: reduced downside losses, capital preservation, and the ability to make riskier traꩵdes without 💫adding to the total risk. Diversification remains one of the central tenants of investing and cluster analysis is just one channel to achieving it. 

Understanding Cluster Analysis

Cluster analysis enables investors to eliminate overlap in their portfolio by identifying securities with 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:related returns. For example, a portfolio of only technology stocks may seem safe and diversified on the surface, but when an event like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Dotcom Bubble strikes, the entire portfolio is vulnerable to significant🀅 losses. Buying and clustering assets that fit different market segments is crucial to increase diversification and protect against such systemic risks.

Stock൩ Selection and Trading Based on Cluster An🤪alysis

The technique can also uncover certain categories of stocks like cyclical and growth stocks. These specific strategies fall under the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:smart beta or 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:factor investing umbrella. They atꦆtempt to capt🗹ure better risk-adjusted returns from specific risk premiums like minimum volatility, growth, and momentum.

In some way, smart beta or factor investing embodies the concepts of grouping and categorization preached by cluster analysis. The logic of clustering on a single common behavior mirrors the basic methodology behind factor investing, which identifies stocks susceptible to similar 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:systemic risks and share similar characteristics.

It's not always the case that assets in a cluster live in the same industry. Oftentimes, clusters hold stocks from multiple industries like technology and financials. 

Criticism of Cluster Analysis

An obvious drawback to cluster analysis is the level of overlap between clusters. Clusters close in distance, meaning a high corr✃elation in returns, often share some similar risk factors. Thus, a down day in one cluster could translate to an equally weak performance in another cluster. For this reason, investors should find and cluster stocks with a large distance between them. That way, the clusters are impacted by different market factors.

That said, broad market pullbacks like the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:2008 Recession will throttle the entire portfolio regardless of its construction. Even the most diversified clusters would 💖have trouble withstanding recessionary headwinds. Here, the best clustering can do is minimi🧜ze the extreme downside losses.