A key purpose of the financial system is to allocate capital and risk in a manner that supports sustainable economic development and growth, including through the provision of financing, investment and hedging products. Financial benchmarks/indices are fundamental to the functioning of financial markets and are widely used in both retail and wholesale markets. In particular, benchmarks are a valuable tool helping market participants to set prices, measure performances, or work out amounts payable under financial contracts or instruments.

The report aims to provide a unique and comprehensive set of facts and figures on the state of the industry at the end of 2018 but also to highlight the fundamental role of asset managers in the financial system and wider economy.