Description
The Healthy Markets Report seeks to provide investors and regulators with a practical framework for managing risks and conflicts of interests in benchmark-linked investment products. Following a brief overview of the role of benchmark-linked investment in modern finance, we review risks and conflicts of interest facing investors in benchmark-linked investment products of various types. We review regulatory enforcement cases in the US regarding a wide range of benchmarks and find that many of the risks and conflicts of interest are not unique to any specific benchmark or asset class. We then offer an overview of various regulatory approaches to mitigate the risks and conflicts of interest inherent in benchmark-linked investment products, focusing on both European and US regulators. Lastly, we offer recommendations for investors and regulators on how best to promote utility and integrity in benchmark-linked investment products across various asset classes.