Global Instrument Identifiers (FIGI) Ontology
A Financial Instrument Global Identifier (FIGI) is a unique, persistent twelve-character string that serves to identify financial instruments. Along with the identifier, a number of related data points are identified and defined so as to provide clear context and differentiation of the financial instruments specified by the identifiers. The machine consumable OWL file associated with FIGI defines all of the classes that constitute an identifier as well as the relationships between those classes so as to provide a comprehensive semantic model for Financial Instrument Global Identifiers. This ontology provides the 'schema' for the identifier and related constructs. Individuals representing the corresponding security types and pricing sources are provided in separate RDF/XML serialized OWL files.
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Financial Instrument Global Identifier (FIGI) Specification
The https://www.omg.org/spec/FIGI/20140201/GlobalInstrumentIdentifiers.rdf version of this ontology was modified per the issue resolutions identified in the FIGI 1.0 FTF report.
The https://www.omg.org/spec/FIGI/20150501/GlobalInstrumentIdentifiers.rdf version of this ontology was modified to replace OMG's specification metadata with the Commons Ontology Library (Commons) annotation vocabulary, which is a formal OMG specification (FIGI12-2), and to replace certain local concepts with those from the Commons Ontology Library (FIGI12-22).
The https://www.omg.org/spec/FIGI/20240801/GlobalInstrumentIdentifiers.rdf version of this ontology was modified to revise definitions to align with revisions made in FIGI 1.3 via other resolutions (FIGI13-3) as well as to replace all min 1 restrictions with some values from (FIGI13-6).
Revisions to the FIGI specification are managed per the process outlined in the Policies and Procedures for OMG standards, with the intent to maintain backwards compatibility in the ontologies to the degree possible. The RDF/XML serialized OWL ontologies have been checked for syntactic errors and logical consistency with the HermiT reasoner (http://www.hermitreasoner.com/).
Copyright (c) 2015-2026 Object Management Group
A system of valid symbols that substitute for specified values, such as alpha, numeric, symbols or combinations thereof.
An identifier is a name that identifies (that is, labels the identity of) either a unique object or a unique class of objects, where the object or class may be an idea, physical (countable) object (or class thereof), or physical. Identifiers can be human readable or a series of alpha, numeric, or alphanumeric characters. In many cases, an identifier can be used as a pointer to an instance record. IRIs, tickers and database keys are different types of identifiers.
financial instrument identifier that labels an aggregation point of equatable financial instruments within an appropriate context
For IBM common stock, for example, FIGI BBG000BLNNH6 represents the 'parent' of all Global Identifiers traded within the United States which are identified with their own unique FIGI. The contextual usage is such that there is a single depository within jurisdictions so that for various operational functions requiring a unified view, the Composite Global Identifier can be used to aggregate all Global Identifiers. Similarly, within the Municipal Bond market, multiple maturities may be issued that relate to the same 'series', such that a Composite Global Identifier can be used to identify the series, with each underlying maturity being assigned an individual Global Identifier and related back to maintain association.
This represents the identifier that aggregates financial instruments within an appropriate context. For example, this would aggregate a set of equity global identifiers within a country, or act as the aggregate level for currency and cryptocurrency pairs.
label that identifies a venue where financial instruments are traded
An identifier that labels the exchange on which the security trades. For example, common stock may trade on the New York Stock Exchange, identified by a code 'UN'. Not all financial instruments trade via a formal exchange.
cash, evidence of an ownership interest in an entity, or a contractual right to receive, or deliver, cash or another financial instrument
Ownership interest can take the form of equity, debt or similar vehicles that provide the owner some potential or real financial value. Equity typically imparts some rights to the owner, while debt may provide the owner with a stream of payments in exchange for essentially loaning some entity cash. Cash can take the form of fiat currency or cryptocurrency. Meanwhile, derivative type instruments derive their value based on one or more other financial instruments, their interaction and the overall market.
financial instrument global identifier scheme
identification scheme for financial instrument identifiers (not limited to securities) and, in some cases, related listings
unique, persistent, semantically meaningless identifier that acts as a label for a financial instrument
The FIGI BBG000BGPHV2 is the identifier for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, specifically the common stock traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Meanwhile FIGI BBG000BXKWZ3 identifies the specific listing for the same company on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
A financial instrument identifier is an identifier that identifies (that is, labels the identity of) a financial instrument with a unique, persistent, semantically meaningless ID. The abbreviation ID often refers to identity, identification (the process of identifying), or an identifier (that is, an instance of identification).
human-readable label that provides a description of the company or features of the financial instrument
American Airlines can be used to indicate the common stock, when used in context. Similarly, American Airlines Loan USD TL B 04/20/2028 is the name for a loan instrument by American Airlines with a particular maturity of 20April2028.
The English language name of the company or the financial instrument, e.g., a particular fund name, and sometimes include a brief description of the security or a differentiating feature, e.g., the issuance date. The name of an instrument may change in conjunction with corporate actions.
financial instrument identifier that labels a financial instrument within an appropriate context such that it is deemed functionally unique, regardless of fungibility
A global identifier is a 12 character alphanumeric, randomly generated ID covering active and inactive securities. In total there will be more than 852 billion potential combinations available. The first 3 characters begin with 'BBG'; positions 4-11 are alphanumeric (less vowels) and the last digit is a check digit, which is calculated based on the Modulus 10 Double Add Double Formula.
Global Identifiers typically will correspond to a specific traded financial instrument where pricing, among other functions, may differ from other instances that could be considered otherwise 'fungible'. For example, BMW common stock may be traded on multiple exchanges, in the same currency and also in different currencies. However, even when traded in the same currency on two different exchanges, there could be price differences. In addition, different exchanges may have different downstream processes, which necessitate tracking the financial instrument differently. Many cryptocurrency pairs, similarly, may be traded on different platforms. There may be pricing differences for the same traded pairs, and the underlying currencies also may be restricted to trading within a specific platform unless withdrawn and redeposited in a different platform or venue.
code representing the generic classification of the type of financial instrument
In FIGI 1.3, pricing source was determined to not be used to differentiate unique financial instruments.
system of alpha-numeric symbols, or combinations of symbols, that denote the origin or provider of information used to determine the value or price of financial instruments
Pricing sources may include (1) Market Data Services: These include well-known providers such as Bloomberg, London Stock Exchange Group / Refinitiv, and ICE Data Services. They offer real-time and historical data on various financial instruments; (2) Dealer Markets: Securities often trade in dealer markets, where dealers provide pricing information based on supply, demand, and market conditions; (3) Model-Derived Prices: Some pricing is derived from mathematical models that consider factors like interest rates, volatility, and underlying asset characteristics, which are not included herein.
code representing a granular classification of the type of financial instrument
system for classifying financial instruments based on criteria such as characteristics of those instruments, which they have in common
Common instrument classifications include high-level asset classes as well as more detailed schemes such as that specified in ISO 10962:2021, Securities and related financial instruments - Classification of financial instruments (CFI) code.
financial instrument identifier that labels a unique aggregate of composite global identifiers
A Share Class Global Identifier is assigned so as to represent an aggregate of Composite Global Identifiers. This class may be only applicable to some securities. For example, for currency and cryptocurrency, Share Class may refer to a currency within its own context – that is without relative value or relationship to another currency or financial instrument. Similarly, IBM common stock can be traded in multiple jurisdictions, such as the USA, UK, Germany and elsewhere, and in each of these jurisdictions, a unique Composite Global Identifier would be assigned. A single Share Class identifier (BBG001S5S399) is assigned to aggregate these composite identifiers, in addition to all Global Identifiers aggregated under each composite identifier.
human-readable label that identifies some financial instrument
BMW common stock is typically identified through the ticker BMW on multiple different exchanges, while a corporate bond may have addition attributes likefor maturity and coupon such as 'BMW 3.25 05/20/31'. Similarly, currencies typically use tickers such as USD for US Dollar, or USDGBP to represent the US Dollar over British Pound cross, but also may be represented as USD/GBP.
The assigned ticker. The rules for forming the ticker vary according to security type. Tickers may not be unique, and multiple tickers could exist for the same financial instrument.
indicates that someone (or something) possesses something, as a characteristic, attribute, feature, capability, and so forth
links an entity to a unique identifier for that entity; may be associated with anything. With reference to a given (possibly implicit) set of objects, a unique identifier (UID) is any identifier which is guaranteed to be unique among all identifiers used for those objects and for a specific purpose.