What Is a Pairs Trading Strategy? How to Profit from Correlated Stocks
Pairs trading is a market-neutral trading method that focuses on the relationship between two correlated assets. Traders use this strategy to take advantage of temporary price differences between securities that usually move together. Instead of predicting overall market direction, traders focus on relative price movements between two assets. This approach reduces exposure to broad market risks and creates opportunities in both rising and falling markets. Many professional traders and hedge funds use pairs trading because it relies on statistical relationships rather than speculation. What Is a Pairs Trading Strategy? Pairs trading involves selecting two assets that show a strong historical correlation. These assets often belong to the same sector or industry, such as banking stocks, technology companies, or commodities. When the price relationship between the two assets deviates from its historical pattern, a trader enters a position: Buy the undervalued asset (long position) ...