7
$\begingroup$

I came across this note from a book: "..the correlation between the active and passive portfolios is greater when the $\beta$ of the active portfolio is higher.."

The author runs regression of active portfolio on passive portfolio.

This does not make sense to me. If I understand correctly, beta in a single variable linear regression analysis gives us the best relationship/fit between two variables (or the slope of independent vector on dependent vector), but it is not indicative of strength of that relationship. We need to look at correlation or $R^2$ value to determine how good is the relationship between the variables. As long as beta is statistically significant, we can look at $R^2$ to determine the strength of relationship. Here are couple of examples:

  1. Consider three variables $A_1$, $A_2$ (dependent variables) and $B$ (independent variable). If $A_1$ and $B$ have $\beta=2.0$; correlation=0.8, and $A_2$ and $B$ have $\beta=0.5$; correlation=0.8, then both $A_1$ and $A_2$ are equally well explained by $B$.

  2. Consider two series: A=$\{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10\}$ and $B=2\times A$. In this case, correlation between A and B is 1. However, regression of $A$ on $B$ gives $\beta$ as 0.5 and $B$ on $A$ gives 2.0. However, each variable is completely explained by the other.

Is my understanding correct? Please highlight if I am missing something here.

$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ you're absolutely right - the value of $\beta$ alone does not indicate the strength of the relationship unless, as @gung mentions below, your variables are standardized. $\endgroup$
    – Macro
    Apr 30, 2012 at 22:23
  • $\begingroup$ @Macro could you please help me understand the concept of "standardized" variables. $\endgroup$
    – user10619
    Dec 14, 2013 at 1:23
  • $\begingroup$ A related question, but without considering the financial meaning of "beta": Will larger correlation coefficient values result in greater slopes between x and y? $\endgroup$
    – Silverfish
    Feb 20, 2016 at 17:02

1 Answer 1

5
$\begingroup$

I think your understanding of linear regression is fine. One thing that may interest you to know is that if both of your variables (e.g., A1 and B) are standardized, the $\beta$ from a simple regression will equal the r-score (i.e., the correlation coefficient, which when squared gives you the model's $R^2$), but this is not the issue here. I think what the book is talking about is the measure of volatility used in finance (which is also called 'beta', unfortunately). Although the name is the same, this is just not quite the same thing as the $\beta$ from a standard regression model. One other thing, neither of these is terribly closely related to beta regression, which is a form of the generalized linear model when the response variable is a proportion that is distributed as beta. I find it unfortunate, and very confusing, that there are terms (such as 'beta') that are used differently in different fields, or where different people use the same term to mean very different things (and that sometimes people use different terms to mean the same thing, as well), but these are just facts of life.

$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ I understand $\beta$ in finance can be different but in this case the $\beta$ is computed from linear regression of active portfolio on a market/passive portfolio. So it is exactly the same as linear regression $\beta$. So why does the author say that higher the $\beta$, better is the correlation between active portfolio and market? He then adjusts his positions based on this fact and I find it very confusing. $\endgroup$
    – user862
    Apr 30, 2012 at 22:23
  • $\begingroup$ It is confusing. Nonetheless, the 'beta' in finance is a regression parameter (ie, slope value). That just makes it harder to keep straight. I still think he's moving between the 2 different uses of the term, and probably in a way that isn't very clear. $\endgroup$ Apr 30, 2012 at 22:30
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ (+1) nitpick: $\sqrt{R^2}$ only equals the observed correlation coefficient when it is positive :) $\endgroup$
    – Macro
    Apr 30, 2012 at 22:40
  • $\begingroup$ @Macro, thanks for the catch, sometimes these things get by me. Edited, +1. $\endgroup$ May 1, 2012 at 0:17

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.