Duration: 6:25
Level: Beginner

The Main Goals:
Understand why index selection matters; comprehend how indexes serve as the basis for index-tracking investment products; and find out why index governance is important.

Contributed By: FTSE Russell

Study Notes:

Why does index selection matter?

In evaluating the appropriateness of an index, investors should take a holistic approach and explore, for example:

  • How well the index strategy suits their objectives
  • How well it complements their beliefs
  • How well it interacts with allocations across the rest of the portfolio
  • Risk constraints

The index attributes you should consider can also depend on how the index will be used. Indexes as benchmarks: Why index selection matters

Indexes as the basis for index-tracking investment products: Why index selection matters.

Why is index governance important?

It is important for an index provider to have a formal governance system in place to proactively evaluate their indexes to ensure they are responding and adapting to the evolving market. Meanwhile, consideration must also be given to the fact that frequent implementation of index methodology enhancements can be burdensome to the end user. The index governance process must weigh the pros and cons when contemplating changes that may have a downstream impact on index users.

Methodology changes and other index enhancements should be reviewed, considered, and approved within a well-defined governance framework that draws from internal expertise, as well as external independent committees of leading market participants.

FTSE Russell Indexes


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Disclosure: FTSE Russell

Interactive Advisorsa division of Interactive Brokers Group, offers FTSE Russell Index Tracker portfolios on its online investing marketplace. Learn more about the Diversified Portfolios.

This material is not intended as investment advice. Interactive Advisors or portfolio managers on its marketplace may hold long or short positions in the companies mentioned through stocks, options or other securities.

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Information posted on IBKR Campus that is provided by third-parties does NOT constitute a recommendation that you should contract for the services of that third party. Third-party participants who contribute to IBKR Campus are independent of Interactive Brokers and Interactive Brokers does not make any representations or warranties concerning the services offered, their past or future performance, or the accuracy of the information provided by the third party. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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