Alternative data
Difficult transitions: Asset managers struggle to map future ESG risks
Investment firms have a role to play in incentivizing the green transition, but they must have forward-looking data.
Messy MBSs? Startup uses deep learning to predict mortgage-backed securities markets
As interest rates rise and house prices fall after a steady period of the opposite dynamic, investors are looking for more accurate ways to price these factors into the value of mortgage-backed securities.
Putting location in its place: Geolocation data market contractions highlight importance of cost, context
All is not well for providers of geolocation data, with some slashing staff or shutting down entirely. Those still thriving are the ones who realize it’s no longer all about “location, location, location.”
From pharma to finance: Cracking the DNA of data management
Enterprise data management has traditionally addressed any aspect of financial data across an organization. But as investment firms’ portfolios of enterprise data broadens in definition to include other types of non-financial data, EDM projects must also…
In the world of financial data, context—not content—is the new king
For years, the mantra of the market data world has been ‘content is king.’ But with trading strategies now more dependent on being able to see the big picture, the value of context could quickly overtake the data itself.
SEC warned that alt data is rife with due diligence risks days before Thinknum crisis emerged
Only proper due diligence on datasets and the companies providing them will safeguard alt data consumers from similar risks in the future.
People Moves: TP Icap, Nasdaq, CFTC, and more
A look at some of the key "people moves" from this week, including Mark Govoni (pictured), who joins TP Icap as the chief executive officer of its agency execution division.
Waters Wrap: Questions raised by Cusip lawsuit
An investment bank and an asset manager have filed a class-action lawsuit against Cusip Global Services, S&P Global, the ABA and FactSet. Anthony explores some of the questions that such a suit raises.
LSEG-Tora: A tale of crypto, Asia expansion and (more) integration burdens
When LSEG acquired Refinitiv, it added Eikon, FXall, and AlphaDesk to its portfolio of execution platforms. In February, the exchange also bought Tora, which has a stronghold in Asia, as well as a presence in crypto. While sources say there are clearly…
Waters Wrap: Google’s cap markets play portends a shift in trade tech philosophies
According to Google’s Phil Moyer, the capital markets are shifting from a world where location determined liquidity, to one where accessibility will be the main differentiator for exchanges. Anthony explores what this could mean for trading firms going…
The good, the bad, and the ugly of financial democratization
From crypto and Web3 to Robinhood and Reddit, democratization underscores it all. While it’s a largely benign concept that aims to level the playing field between institutions and individuals, it’s also really hard to get right.
Asset managers seek greater transparency into ESG index providers’ ratings
While there is no consensus on whether ESG ratings providers should be regulated, asset managers largely agree that more transparency into their vendors’ methodologies is needed.
One view to rule them all: Buy side firms seek to unify their data
Asset management firms still struggle to consolidate their data so that it speaks the same language across different business lines. Some new SaaS-based investment management vendors are aiming to solve this.
Waters Wrap: Data ownership & storm clouds brewing
Thanks to technological advancement, firms are finding new ways to monetize data. While the question of “who owns the data” was never a pressing one in the past, Anthony says that there are reasons to believe that will soon change.
What the hell is Web3, anyway?
The next iteration of the internet is upon us, with the potential to deliver radical shifts to every industry, including banking. The movement, which is currently buoyed by the prospects of blockchain and virtual reality, has implications for computing,…
Regulators, startups eye transparency efforts for private companies
When it comes to private companies, data transparency still lags its public market equivalents, and a lack of data quality and availability is a barrier to increased investor participation. But an alliance between a startup and niche brokers is aiming to…
Meme stocks, Reddit, and QAnon: A postcard from the origin of the metaverse
Join WatersTechnology for a look back at the most absurd stories of the year—Reddit/GameStop, the advent of meme stocks, and QAnon—and what they mean for you.
Waters Wrap: The biggest disruptors facing the capital markets as we head into 2022
In Anthony’s mind, eight topics will dominate the headlines in the New Year. They are…
Slow burn to a big bang: How the new wave of tech is changing market data platforms
For decades, market data platforms have been critical components of financial firms’ trading infrastructures. But with changing user needs and emerging technologies gaining ground, will the platforms of the past be replaced by upstart challengers—or can…
This Week: LSEG/Quantile, Ice, Morningstar/Sentifi, SimCorp/FundApps, and more
A summary of some of the past week’s financial technology news.
Waters Wrap: The changing role of the CDO (and NYSE’s musical chairs)
As data and analytics change, so too must the CDO function. Anthony also looks at the appointment of Lynn Martin as president of NYSE.
Disrupting data delivery: AWS Data Exchange gains ground with addition of FactSet content
Leveraging AWS’s presence on Wall Street, Data Exchange has the potential to shake up traditional financial data delivery and contracts, if it can add relevant content and overcome challenges like real-time streaming and connectivity in the cloud.
Digital rights group debuts ODRL, plans common tech framework
The community group is building a referencing architecture to test the theory that all participants in the data supply chain behave as originators, providers and users.
Regulators turn gaze on ESG rating providers—for better or worse
Governments around the world are looking to clamp down on providers of ESG ratings and data products. Jo wonders what the implications could be for a still nascent market.