Search volume data features heavily in academic research as a proxy for both investor and consumer attention. In this piece, we consider the strengths and weaknesses of this dataset type, as well as both free and commercially available alternatives (or complements) to the ubiquitous Google Trends.

In part II, we continue our analysis of employment-related datasets. Specifically, we explore the investment use cases and alternative sources for talent tracking, salary data, employee sentiment and labour relations information.

3Q20 saw logistics giants FedEx and UPS observe the best quarterly performance in decades. And with the holiday season just around corner, analyst consensus indicates that this streak might not be stopping any time soon. In this report, we highlight the various alternative datasets available to logistics investors.

A misleading title perhaps, as the complexities, nuances and different varieties of employment-related datasets are anything but basic. We outline the current landscape of human capital and labour market data and summarise how traction has developed across the buyside.

A decade ago, few would have asked whether there might be restrictions on the exportation of alternative data from China. Rather, the conversation centered around a wave of new data types that could be collected and monetized. However, in the past five years, China has seen a rapidly evolving regulatory environment. Numerous measures, industry standards and laws concerning cyberspace governance have been newly promulgated. How have China-based alternative data providers responded to uncertainties in the current regulatory framework? In this intelligence report, we attempt to seek an answer.

Since the termination of Jumpshot early this year, the clickstream data landscape has become increasingly fragmented. We recount the events impacting the landscape and outline the options for data consumers today who wish to gain investment insights from web browser activity.

Following increased client interest, we highlight relevant datasets that can be used to monitor the telecommunications sector. The report will specifically draw attention to datasets that can help gauge consumer churn, market penetration of devices and carriers, and high-level consumer behaviour trends. We also discuss the significant limitations associated with these datasets.

While environmental concerns have dominated the agenda in recent years, the coronavirus has renewed focus on social and governance issues. In this report, we highlight the critical impacts of COVID-19 on the ESG industry and outline the alternative datasets that provide sustainability insights in these challenging times.

In this Intelligence report, we unpack the nuances of social media-derived datasets. We discuss the current empirical research available on the relationship between social media and equities as well as highlight relevant social media datasets. Finally, we summarise the limitations of using social media datasets as part of a wider investment strategy.

Tests used to determine COVID-19 infection have and will continue to play a key role in managing the spread of the virus. As nations race to acquire test kits on a massive scale, a subset of companies in the pharma, biotech, and medical device industries stand to profit from this unprecedented demand. To identify these companies, investors may wish to utilise sources of alternative data that capture the COVID-19 testing market.