Alternative data can be a source of outperformance for quantitatively orientated institutional investors looking to generate alpha and mitigate risk as investment strategies on traditional data sets becomes oversaturated.
Aware Super and Conning Asia Pacific have begun mixing new forms of information - such as real-time data - with existing models to better inform their investment decisions.
Most asset owners are still in the exploratory stage of adopting alternative data, but successful firms have found value in ESG and sentiment analysis information, say experts.
Investors want more access to less common sources of information, such as private company and real-time data, but they face hurdles in doing so, finds Greenwich Associates.