Course 202:
Benchmarks
In this course
1 Introduction
2 Your Personal Benchmark
3 Indexes as Benchmarks
4 Peer Groups as Benchmarks
5 Our Approach

The world's modern Hercules, Iranian Hossein Rezazadeh, hoisted more than 1,000 pounds in two lifts to claim the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He may not have a perfect technique, but at a massive 352 pounds, Rezazadeh is a giant of a man who is unmatched in his weightlifting prowess.

The maximum weight that you can lift is often regarded as the definitive statement of your strength. Yet what actually constitutes a "good" bench-press depends on the person: A 5'5" man or woman who can bench-press 150 pounds may have a superior strength-to-bodyweight ratio compared with a 6'2" man or woman who can bench-press 250 pounds.

The same relativity holds true when examining a mutual fund's performance. What constitutes a "good" return depends on your needs and the type of fund. That's where benchmarks come in to play.

Next: Your Personal Benchmark >>

 
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