Statistical agencies publish consumption figures that rely heavily on household surveys that are limited in sample size, reporting errors and time lags. In this review, we summarise a paper that uses alternative sources of consumer transaction data to analyse the impact of interest rate changes on consumer purchasing behaviours. The high-frequency nature of credit-card data can provide a more precise measure of consumer spending, which can be more accurately matched with the timing of monetary policy shocks.

Unpredictable climate policies create challenges for investors, businesses and consumers. This paper explores the effects of such uncertainty on financial markets in the US and China.

We look at a report that examines the effect of domestic investors’ behaviour on the Indian stock market after Covid-19, highlighting the roles of financial literacy, technological innovation and external events.

We look at a study that suggests pleasant weather can reduce market volatility. While far from conclusive, the study shows how such insights can be used to develop trading strategies.

The pandemic provided a natural experiment to stress-test evaluated pricing sources. In this literature review, the authors compare how various providers performed during COVID.

As datasets gain more users, opportunities for alpha can often be diluted. We summarise a paper that investigates the impacts of crowding and the triggers of alpha decay.

We summarise a paper focusing on Sudan’s civil war that highlights how alternative data can provide a better understanding of conflict activity and its impact on investments.

Does the announcement of investor conferences in Taiwan’s semiconductor sector positively influence stock prices? We look at a local study that considers the data.

Technology-focused expansion is the primary driver of M&A activity among startups, according to a study identifying patterns behind deal-making.

We explore how synthetic data is being used to mitigate data privacy risks and meet the need for ever more training data. We also look at some of its pitfalls.