Fundology

Glossary · Returns

Benchmark

An index a fund’s performance is measured against, stated with its own currency and return basis.

A benchmark is only meaningful if it matches the fund: same market, same currency, and the same treatment of income. Comparing a total-return fund against a price-only index manufactures outperformance that does not exist.

Index data is generally licensed, and the licence governs whether it can be republished. Where this site cannot show a benchmark line under its licence, it shows nothing rather than an approximation.

Related

Benchmark — what it means · Fundology