Benchmark

1. Comparative measure.

A measure stated on a standardised basis, to enable comparison.

For example, an effective annual rate.

2. Standards of performance - quantitative.

A quantified standard of performance set by the market (such as stock market index) or by an institutional investor (such as an internally developed benchmark) against which investment performance, or other performance, can be managed and tracked.

3. Standards of performance - qualitative.

A standard of performance including less readily quantified measures, such as satisfaction.

4. Interest rates.

An officially published rate of interest, from which a rate of interest payable or receivable is calculated.

Historically, for example, LIBOR.

A related rate of interest payable might be LIBOR + 1%.

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) recommended in 2014 that stakeholders should identify risk-free rates that might be used as alternatives to LIBOR.

5. Market price.

A market price for a widely traded quality and quantity of a commodity, used as a reference price in a contract.

For example, the price per barrel of Brent crude oil.

See also

• Alternate Base Rate
• Alternative reference rate
• Baseline
• Base rate
• Benchmarking
• Benchmarks Regulation
• Climate benchmark
• Commodity
• Credit Benchmark
• Effective annual rate
• €STR
• EURIBOR
• European Money Markets Institute
• Fallback
• Financial Stability Board
• Fixing
• Good practice
• LIBOR
• Price fixing
• Rate fixing
• Reference rate
• Risk-free rates
• Spread to Treasury/ Governments
• Stakeholder
• Sterling

Other links

• Working Group of Sterling Risk-Free Reference Rates - latest announcements & publications

• A Practical Guide to LIBOR transition - Slaughter & May - Association of Corporate Treasurers

• 2021: A Benchmark Odyssey, Practical Guidance for Treasurers on interest rate benchmarks, Slaughter and May

• SONIA and other benchmarks

• ARRC: Second Report