Season's Greetings from Inside Market Data

Now that I'm older, and hopefully wiser, I realize that the true gift of Christmas isn't what's wrapped up in those presents, but rather the people whose hands wrapped them for us, and who have wrapped us with the gift of love every day of our lives, Christmas or not, and the spirit of goodwill that this day inspires in all of us.

So today, whatever your creed, please pass on that gift to someone else. We hope you find time to celebrate the things that matter to you, and to share joy with those around you. After all, the concept of peace on earth and goodwill to all men isn't exclusive to any one religion, but is something we should all strive for and seek to inspire in others. This doesn't take much: often, a little effort can make a big difference to someone.

For example, is your closet overflowing? If you're done with last year's coat, why not donate it to the 25th annual New York Cares Coat Drive, which provides warm winter clothes to churches, shelters and other non-profit organizations to help the homeless and others who can't afford suitable clothing to stay warm in the bitter New York winter. Right now, the Coat Drive has received more than 100,000 requests for coats, but is falling far short of that number in donations. Between now and February, you can donate clothing at any one of around 300 locations in the five boroughs and beyond, or can set up your own collection point in your workplace. For more details, visit newyorkcares.org/coat-drive.

Returning specifically to the market data world, over the coming days, we'll bring you interviews with industry executives about how they plan to make a difference in 2014, and where they see opportunities for─and barriers to─innovation over the coming year. So be sure to check our website for more of these interviews as we enter 2014. But more importantly, be sure to take time this holiday season to enjoy the things that matter most: family, friends, and the small fortunes that we're blessed with in each of those.

On behalf of Inside Market Data, WatersTechnology and the entire Incisive Media team, we wish all our friends and readers a very happy and healthy holiday season, and a prosperous 2014.