Index Industry Association

Voices of the IIA – Molly McGregor, Qontigo

As head of global marketing and communications for Qontigo, Molly is responsible for global brand and market positioning, product marketing and go-to-market campaigns, corporate communications, media and advertising, global conferences and events. She recently offered her perspective on what is most challenging and rewarding about her role, inclusive leadership and engaging clients in a post-pandemic…

Voices of the IIA – Amelia Furr, Morningstar Indexes

The IIA recently sat down with Amelia Furr, Global Head of Sales for Morningstar Indexes, to talk about her role at Morningstar, her thoughts on inclusive leadership and the role of women in the index industry, what she is most excited about for the index industry and how she defines leadership. Q: What is the…

ESG Fixed-Income Exposure: Index Providers Respond to Asset Manager Demand

By Rick Redding, CFA Originally published November 30, 2022 in the CFA Institute’s “Enterprising Investor” What does the latest Index Industry Association (IIA) global membership survey reveal about current trends in indexes and benchmarks? Chief among the key data points is that the rapid expansion of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indexes continues to gain momentum and diversify…

ESG Criteria: Global Asset Managers Expand Their Embrace

By Rick Redding, CFA Originally published September 7, 2022 in the CFA Institute’s “Enterprising Investor” The number of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) benchmarks and indexes demanded by the asset management community has grown at an unprecedented rate over the past two years. That’s according to our latest survey of Index Industry Association (IIA) members. Unpacking these…

Insights from the IIA’s second annual Global ESG Survey of Asset Managers

The IIA recently released our Second Annual Global ESG Survey of Asset Managers. This year’s survey examined the evolving role of ESG investment in the asset management industry and the growth it experienced in the face of geopolitical instability, a 40 year high in inflation and six months of market volatility. We once again, partnered…

IIA Member Firms Reflect on the Impact of the IIA (Part 2)

Since its founding, the IIA has represented the global index industry in regulatory matters. We work closely with market participants, regulators, and other representative bodies to promote sound practices in the industry that strengthen markets and serve the needs of investors. As the Index Industry Association celebrates the 10th Anniversary of our founding, we took…

IIA Response to SEC Commission Comment Request re: Information Providers Acting as Investment Advisors

The Index Industry Association (IIA) submitted a response to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (Commission) request for comment on “Certain Information Providers Acting as Investment Advisers” (Comment Request). In the response, the IIA noted that it does not agree with the Commission’s suggestion to regulate index providers as investment advisers under the Advisers Act…

The Present State of The Index Industry and Opportunities for Growth

IIA comments on third-country regime under BMR

Last week, the IIA responded to the European Commission’s consultation on the functioning of the third-country regime under the Benchmark Regulation (BMR). The consultation is meant to seek views on whether the current provision of third-country benchmarks to EU end-users is functioning properly, and to collect data to demonstrate whether the current framework should be amended.…

IIA Member Firms Highlight the industry’s continued innovation

The index industry has a long track record of evolving and expanding, with the goal of providing ever-increasing options for the public to track performance of various asset classes. As the Index Industry Association celebrates the 10th Anniversary of our founding, we asked our member firms about the present state of the index industry and…

IIA Member Firms Reflect on the Impact of the IIA (Part 1)

As the Index Industry Association celebrates the 10th Anniversary of our founding, we took the opportunity to ask our member firms about the impact the IIA has had on the industry and key stakeholders. In the post below, our member firms to share their thoughts on the role of the IIA, and the initiatives they…

Index Industry Association’s 2nd Annual Global ESG Asset Manager Survey

Articles Index Industry Association’s 2nd Annual Global ESG Asset Manager Survey July 28, 2022 Despite recent global economic uncertainty and geopolitical turbulence, asset managers reported strong growth in ESG investment over the past year across asset classes and believe it will continue well into the future. The report, Tried and Tested, explores: The state of…

IIA Member Firms Highlight the Growth and Innovation of the Index Industry

The index industry has a long track record of evolving and expanding, with the goal of providing ever-increasing options for the public to track performance of various asset classes, investment styles, and strategies. As the Index Industry Association celebrates the 10th Anniversary of our founding, we asked our member firms what they believe to be…

Highlights of Index History Timeline

For more than 125 years, IIA members have been administering indices and providing benchmarks. During that time the industry has grown from measuring a few markets to where we stand today – meeting investor demand for benchmarks globally. As the index industry has continued to grow and evolve, it has remained focused on its core…

IIA’s Members Highlight the Rise of ESG Indexes

The Index industry has a long track record of continuing to evolve and innovate, with the goal of providing ever-increasing options for the public. When we asked our member firms about the present state of the industry and the biggest opportunities on the horizon, we noticed that one theme that continuously popped up – ESG….

EU Regulations

The Benchmarks Regulation introduces a regime for benchmark administrators that ensures the accuracy and integrity of benchmarks. ESMA developed draft regulatory technical standards (RTS) and implementing technical standards (ITS) on a large number of areas, and also provided the Commission with Technical Advice. ESMA coordinates the supervision of benchmark administrators by national competent authorities. For…

IOSCO Principles

The IOSCO (International Organization of Securities Commissioners) Task Force on Financial Market Benchmarks Consultation Report is an important milestone in the global response to recent investigations and enforcement actions against attempted manipulation of certain benchmarks. IIA shares the Task Force’s commitment to the development of benchmarks with high levels of transparency and integrity. Click to…

SEC Comment on Tailored Reports

The Index Industry Association (IIA), an independent, not-for-profit organization composed of leading global independent index administrators, has commented on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed rule regarding Tailored Shareholder Reports. In the response, the full text of which can be found here, the IIA supports the SEC Proposed Rule which requires funds to disclose…

Indexes 101

What is an index? • A financial index measures the performance of a list of instruments (bonds, stocks, etc.) that are selected and weighted according to an employed methodology that describes a set of rules governing the construction of the index. • IIA defines an index “as a number calculated by reference to a theoretical…

Index Industry Association Celebrates 10th Anniversary With NYSE Bell Ringing

The Index Industry Association (IIA) last week marked the 10th Anniversary of its founding with a closing bell ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). I was joined to commemorate this important occasion by NYSE President Lynn Martin, a former IIA Board Member, IIA Chair Dan Draper of S&P Global and representatives from our…

Dan Draper, Chairman of IIA, on Transparency, Independence, and Integrity as the bedrocks of indexing

Dan Draper, S&P Dow Jones Indices As he assumes the chair of the Index Industry Association, Dan Draper, CEO of S&P Dow Jones Indices, reflects on the evolution and impact of indexing on financial markets. He writes about the development of indices more than 100 years ago and the IIA’s role in strengthening and protecting…

Cboe Global Markets’ Catherine Clay on Philosophy, Leadership, and the Future of the Index Industry

As part of our ‘Voices of IIA’ series, we sat down with Catherine Clay, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Data and Access Solutions at Cboe Global Markets From floor trader to Executive Vice President, Cathy Clay’s 360° view of the exchange industry is helping Cboe Global Markets define the future. Cathy helms the newly created Data and Access Solutions division (DnA) that aims to simplify global market complexities through innovative data, analytics and index offerings. What does Cboe’s approach to indexing tell…

Trends and Evolution of the Index Industry with Morningstar’s Rolf Agather

As part of our ‘Voices of IIA’ series, we sat down with Rolf Agather, Global Head of Research and Product, Indexes at Morningstar. As an index provider—as well as a source of investment research, management products, and services—Morningstar offers a unique perspective backed by extensive industry knowledge. We discussed new trends and the evolution of the industry, as well as Morningstar’s role, and…

5th Annual Benchmark Survey – Record Growth in Number of ESG Indices, Alongside Broadening of Fixed Income Indices

Index Industry Association’s Fifth Annual Benchmark Survey Shows Record Growth in Number of ESG Indices, Alongside Broadening of Fixed Income Indices

Nasdaq’s Sean Wasserman on the Evolution of the Index Industry

Today we continue our ‘Voice of IIA’ series, where IIA members’ key executives and researchers reveal the decisions, responsibilities, and personalities that drive the making and management of indexes globally. As part of its ‘Voices of IIA’ series, we sat down with Sean Wasserman, Vice President and Global Head of Index & Advisor Solutions at…