Modern portfolio theory suggests significant benefits from diversification. Using GeWorko method toolset we would like to show how exactly an investor benefits from diversification. For this example we have chosen two well-known securities included in the index Dow Jones Industrial Average.

More precisely we have chosen the stock of McDonald’s (MCD) and Altria Group (KO) and have examined their behavior over the past 4 years. For this purpose closing prices have been used during the past 50 months.
The correlation coefficient calculated for the two stocks on the basis of their incremental returns was 0.53, confirming that portfolio construction could reduce risks. At the same time we have calculated average annual estimates of returns and standard deviations for the two securities. These values are:

Mean annual return-13.7%(MCD); 16.3% (KO)
Annual Standard Deviation-14.0%(MCD); 15.2%(KO).

Judging from our estimates, it can be concluded that the stock of Altria Group (KO) in the post-crisis period was more risky than McDonald's (MCD) stock. This is reflected in the higher standard deviation of return of Altria Group (KO). However, as a compensation for higher risk, the average annual return of Altria Group (KO) was also higher.
If we assume that our realized risks and returns are good estimates of future risks and returns, and that only one security may be chosen for investment, we face a common problem of choice: accept a higher level of risk, hoping for higher returns, or accept lower returns with less risk. This question often depends on individual preferences of the investor, the investment needs and constraints.

However, portfolio theory confirms that the risks can be reduced through diversification. To confirm this, we are going to create a portfolio of the two stocks with the help of GeWorko method. Suppose our budget is $ 2,000. At current prices we invest 1000 USD buying shares of McDonald's (MCD) and remaining 1000 USD are used to buy shares of Altria Group (KO). Assuming that the quantity of stocks is a continuous value, we get a portfolio consisting if 10.18 (MCD priced at 98.24 USD) and 24.93 (KO priced at 40.12 USD) stocks of first and second companies, respectively.

As well as the prices of both securities, the portfolio's value has been mainly growing during the last four years: it is obvious from the chart. But to compare the parameters of risk and return of the portfolio with the same parameters of each of the securities, let’s calculate its average annual return and standard deviation. The values are presented below:

Mean annual return-13.7% (MCD); 16.3%(KO);14.7%(Portfolio)
Annual Standard Deviation-14.0%(MCD); 15.2%(KO);12.8(Portfolio.

The annual average realized return of the portfolio was 14.7%, lower than the return of Altria Group (KO), but higher than that of McDonald's (MCD). At the same time we were able to achieve a lower standard deviation. Annual standard deviation of the portfolio was 12.8%, although for both securities separately it is higher. Reduced risk was due to the fact that the two stocks are not absolutely correlated. Also note that the return of the portfolio is not equal to the average value of returns of the two stocks, as equal weights for shares in the portfolio are guaranteed only for the last observation, at prices used to calculate the number of the first and second stocks in the portfolio of 2000 USD.

We can say only one thing with certainty: if the calculated values of return and standard deviation are good estimates of future returns and standard deviations - a rational investor would prefer the constructed portfolio to shares of McDonald's (MCD) - the portfolio has a better risk-return profile. The choice between the portfolio and stocks of Altria Group (KO) will depend on individual preferences and constraints.

The portfolio dynamics represents an average between the dynamics of investments in each of the securities: more "smooth" curve of the portfolio reflects the benefit from diversification. GeWorko method allows you to build an infinite number of such portfolios and look for the most appropriate combination of risk and return, which finally will depend on investor's individual needs and constraints.

Author's Bio: 

IFC Markets is a trademark of the IFCM Group. Its activity is connected with development and execution of different projects in the area of financial technologies.
IFC Markets is an International Financial company providing services in trading currency pairs, precious metals, Index CFDs, Stock CFDs, Commodity CFDs.
In addition, IFC Markets has launched an innovative trading method GeWorko, through which it is possible to create personal composite instruments (PCI) in the trading-analytic platform NetTradeX and instantly obtain their price history.
The main goal of IFC Markets is to provide clients with top-level services, including: trade without request, no matter what volume of trade you are performing, instant execution of all kinds of orders, low spreads, contact capability within a few minutes from any part of the world, and 24-hour tech support. IFC Markets is currently involved in creating of subsidiary branches in different regions and countries worldwide.
The company offers a competitive partnership program with commission starting from 10$ to 15$ per 1 standard lot.
The most important feature that distinguishes IFC Markets from other companies is the provision of its own new-generation trading-platform NetTradeX. This program is the result of several years work of highly-qualified programmers of the NetTradeX Company, also included in the group.