Comparing outcomes could be fascinating. For example if you are eager to know whether there are more divorces in Hollywood than on average?

To measure the length of someone you can use a yard-stick, ruler or a measuring tape. If you have taken the measure, you can than compare it with others. If you want to compare the performance of activities, or the level of a competence or capability, you can use a benchmark.

A benchmark could be the outcome of activities or competences that have previously been measured. Such a benchmark serves like a reference, like a norm that can been set as a target.

Mutual fund managers use benchmarks to set their performance target. This can be any index that is related to the funds (for example the Dow Jones Industrial Index). The index is composed of different stocks according to their weighted value in the index. During the year, the index will change, because of the price changes of the stock values. If the fund manager invests in the same way as the index is established, the performance of the mutual fund will equal the index. By taking slightly different investment decision