Benchmarks in financial instruments

A benchmark is an index (statistical measure), calculated from a representative set of underlying data, which is used as a reference for financial instruments or contracts. Well-known benchmarks include the London Interbank Offered Rate (Libor) and the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor). The manipulation of those two benchmarks has sparked concerns about the integrity of benchmarks worldwide.

The European Parliament was due to vote in April 2016 on the European Commission's proposal for a regulation on indices used as benchmarks in financial instruments and financial contracts.

Author: Gustaf Gimdal.

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