2025 Research Report

Alternative Data Buy-side Insights & Trends 2025

Insights from 130 fundamental portfolio managers and analysts on the application of alternative data in investment management.

Alternative Data Buy-side Insights & Trends 2025

The demand for alternative data as a crucial component of alpha generation for institutional investors continues to accelerate in 2025. With mature datasets now widely used as a foundation for research, investment professionals are shifting their focus toward more diverse data sources and advanced technology and analytics to enhance their investment strategies.

In January 2025, we commissioned the market research company Pureprofile to conduct a study with 130 fundamental portfolio managers and investment analysts, to capture their views on alternative data. The survey respondents are based in the US, UK, Singapore and Hong Kong, and collectively manage ~$820 billion in assets.

Published in collaboration with BattleFin.

key takeaways

98%

of investment managers agreed that “traditional data/official figures are becoming too slow in reflecting changes in economic activity”

75%

of investment managers said that consumer spending datasets would provide “an outsized informational edge in the near future”

79%

of investment managers said that combining data from different sources was the most frustrating challenge when working with alternative data

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This document is provided by Exabel AS. It is for information purposes only. It is not an invitation or inducement to engage in any investment activity and it does not contain investment advice. The information in this document shall not be relied on in making any investment decision or in connection with any contract or otherwise. Exabel AS makes no representation regarding, and accepts no liability or duty of care for, the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information in this document or its fitness for any particular purpose or use. 

© Exabel AS, 2023

Exabel is a financial technology company based in Oslo, New York and London.

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