In this Intelligence report, we consider how external data can be used beyond an investment use case. We focus on corporations, introducing these organisations to the challenges in external data adoption, the process of sourcing external data, and assessing the benefits of investing in an external data infrastructure.

We outline the key datasets available to monitor the industrials sector, namely within the aerospace, building materials, machinery/heavy equipment, chemicals, and transportation sub-sectors. We also discuss some of the nuances within this vast data landscape, including core dataset challenges.

Two European Nation-States are at war for the first time since 1945. Few commentators have chosen to underplay its significance. At the very least, it is likely to extend supply chain disruptions in the wake of covid. Over the longer term, it could also constitute a paradigm shift for the outlook of countries, companies, and the general population. We highlight five key data types that could help readers to navigate the immediate and extended impacts of the conflict. (NB: this is not intended as an exhaustive list of the war’s impacts or data types that could provide insights.)

We map out the evolving transaction data landscape and summarise key trends affecting the supply, sourcing, and usage of transaction data this year.

We reflect on an area of alternative data that has become one of the most nuanced segments in recent times: APAC. In this Intelligence report, we leverage our unique position in the industry between data buyers and sellers, as well as our proprietary data, to look at trends and recent themes of the APAC alternative data sector.

The video gaming industry has been a topic of conversation amongst our clients recently, perhaps due to notable M&A, IPOs, and growing talk around the “metaverse”. In this Intelligence report, we break down the data sources that track various performance drivers for video gaming stocks, the key vendors that offer such datasets, and our view on these offerings.

ESG ratings are becoming old school. With advancements in big data and the growing demand for more sophisticated evaluation methodologies, ESG data is set for the next stage of evolution. We summarise the reasons behind the transition towards impact-based ESG assessments and notable vendors within the space.

The state of the energy industry has been the topic of the moment, especially here in Europe - from energy companies ceasing trading in the UK, to supply shortages in the US, to pushes for nuclear-heavy energy generation in France. In this report, we outline the datasets available to monitor this volatile industry. We also draw attention to three case studies that showcase the application of alternative data in tracking the energy sector.

Every year, Saxo Bank’s strategists release ten ‘Outrageous Predictions’, which constitute major events should they materialise. This year’s predictions include Meta becoming less competitive, Reddit investors targeting sin stocks, and the looming energy crisis altering climate policies. With Facebook reporting a decline in DAUs and climate commitments yet to be enforced, we outline several alternative datasets that could help navigate 2022.

At Neudata, we see a growing appetite for alternative datasets that can be used to track performance drivers for ecommerce marketplaces and retailers. In this Intelligence report, we break down the various data sources that can provide insight into revenues and costs for companies such as Shopee, Shein, eBay, and Meesho.