benchmark index

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "benchmark index" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a standard or point of reference against which the performance of a financial asset or portfolio is measured. For example, "The fund's performance was compared to the benchmark index to assess its effectiveness." Alternative expressions include "reference index" and "standard index."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Sydney benchmark index fell 1.2 percent.

The New York Times

The benchmark index finished at 10,475.

The New York Times

The benchmark index in Australia slipped 0.6 percent.

The New York Times

Today, the benchmark index closed down 1.08percentt.

The New York Times

The Nikkei 225, Japan's benchmark index, closed 2.6percentt lower.

The New York Times

Hong Kong's benchmark index is down 6.5 percent from April.

The New York Times

Italy's benchmark index is down by 29%, France's by 23%.

The Economist

The benchmark index is up 23.6 percent for the year.

The New York Times

Since hitting a low in September, the Seoul market's benchmark index has risen 50percentt.

The New York Times

Dubai's benchmark index fell for a seventh day on concern that economic growth would slow.

The New York Times

In Taiwan, where political sensitivities are more acute, the benchmark index dropped 2.87percentt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing investment fund performance, always specify the "benchmark index" used for evaluation to provide context for the fund's returns.

Common error

Avoid assuming a "benchmark index" is inherently a target to beat. Its primary function is to provide a point of reference for understanding relative performance, not necessarily to be exceeded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "benchmark index" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a standard against which performance is measured. Ludwig AI provides many examples from reputable sources illustrating this use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "benchmark index" is a very common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote a standard point of reference for evaluating performance, particularly in finance and economics. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its prevalence in news and media and formal business contexts. Alternatives such as "reference index" and "standard index" offer similar meanings. A key best practice is to clearly specify the "benchmark index" when discussing investment performance, while avoiding the misconception that it represents an inherent target to be surpassed. Overall, "benchmark index" is a well-established term with a clear and consistent meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reference index

Replaces "benchmark" with "reference", emphasizing the role of the index as a point of comparison.

standard index

Substitutes "benchmark" with "standard", highlighting the index's function as a typical or accepted measure.

market index

Focuses on the index's representation of a specific market or sector.

performance benchmark

Inverts the phrase to emphasize the "benchmark" aspect as a measurement of performance.

comparative index

Highlights the index's use for making comparisons.

yardstick index

Uses "yardstick" as a metaphor for a standard measure.

leading indicator

Focuses on the index as a predictor of future trends rather than a point of comparison.

key indicator

Emphasizes the importance of the index as a crucial metric.

model portfolio

Shifts the focus to a representative portfolio used for comparison.

baseline metric

Replaces "index" with "metric", emphasizing a quantifiable measure used as a baseline.

FAQs

How is a "benchmark index" used in finance?

A "benchmark index" serves as a standard point of reference against which the performance of an investment portfolio or individual asset is measured. It helps investors assess whether their investments are performing as expected compared to the broader market or a specific sector.

What are some alternatives to saying "benchmark index"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "reference index", "standard index", or "market index".

Why is it important to compare investment performance to a "benchmark index"?

Comparing investment performance to a "benchmark index" provides valuable context. It helps investors understand if their returns are due to the skill of the fund manager or simply the overall performance of the market represented by the index.

What factors should I consider when choosing a "benchmark index" to compare my portfolio against?

When selecting a "benchmark index", ensure it aligns with the investment strategy and asset allocation of your portfolio. For example, if your portfolio focuses on large-cap US stocks, the S&P 500 would be a suitable "benchmark index".