Markit Adopts and Enhances ICB Codes for Credit Markets

Markit is adopting the Industry Classification Benchmark (ICB) from Dow Jones Indexes and FTSE Group. ICB will be implemented across Markit’s entire range of entities across all asset classes. Markit’s involvement will also help to enhance ICB’s coverage of the current 40,000 equities by expanding into around 5,000 credit default swap reference entities and bond issuing entities. This information is covered in Markit’s Reference Entity Database (RED), which will now follow ICB guidelines providing a four-tier classification structure.