

For a retirement portfolio seeking diversification and risk management, incorporating ETFs with negative correlations can be beneficial. However, it's important to note that finding ETFs with a perfect correlation coefficient of -1 is challenging. Nevertheless, here are five ETFs that exhibit negative correlations, which can help in mitigating overall portfolio risk:
- iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT): This ETF tracks the performance of the U.S. Treasury bond market with a maturity of 20 years or more. It has a negative correlation with equity markets, making it a good hedge against potential market downturns1.
- SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD): Historically, gold has often been seen as a safe-haven asset, and GLD tracks the price of gold. It tends to perform well during times of market volatility and uncertainty, and it can offer a negative correlation with equities1.
- iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG): This ETF provides exposure to the U.S. investment-grade bond market, which can offer a negative correlation with equity markets. It's a broad representation of the U.S. bond market, including government, corporate, and mortgage-backed securities2.
- Vanguard Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF (VMBS): Similar to AGG, VMBS provides exposure to mortgage-backed securities, which can offer a negative correlation with equity markets. Mortgage-backed securities are issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and are considered relatively low-risk2.
- iShares International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG): For international diversification, IAGG offers exposure to global investment-grade bond markets. It can help in mitigating currency risks and may provide a negative correlation with domestic equity markets2.
When incorporating these ETFs into your retirement portfolio, it's crucial to consider your overall asset allocation, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. Negative correlations can help in reducing portfolio volatility, but it's also important to maintain a balanced and diversified portfolio. Consulting with a financial advisor can help tailor these ETFs to your specific retirement goals and needs.
