In the world of finance, we often refer to benchmarks as the standard by which we measure the performance of a market. They provide us with a way to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of an entire market. Think of it as a yardstick that helps us understand the ups and downs of the financial world. Just like how a doctor uses vital signs to assess a patient's health, benchmarks help us assess the health of the market. So, when we talk about benchmarks, we are essentially talking about key indicators that give us a comprehensive view of the market's performance.