Happy Holidays from all of us at Quandl. Alternative Data Weekly will be taking a break until January 10. For our final post of 2018, we look back at our most popular links of the year. Enjoy, and thank you for reading!

Schroders is all in with alternative data

January – Markets Media

Schroders, with 27 data scientists at the helm, is at the front of the pack in terms of alternative data adoption for the fundamental set. Read More

Top 10 open-source machine learning projects

February – Medium

Among the top open source machine learning projects: object detection, alternatives to Bayesian optimization and deep neuroevolution.
Read More

Essential data feeds for artificial intelligence

March – Quandl Blog

In this post, we describe the top five data feeds most commonly requested by our AI/ML customers. Read More

The changing face of talent at hedge funds

April – Hedgeweek

Technology continues to be a major driver of change within the hedge fund industry, with a marked effect on hiring practices. This article lays out the dos and don’ts of recruitment. Read More

Goldman building team to sell its own alternative data

May – Risk.net (subscription)

Algorithms can scan news stories to quickly determine if there is any market-moving information. However, AI still cannot reliably tell the difference between real and fake news. Read More

AI detects patterns in waves of stock price movements

June – Bloomberg

Bloomberg announces the launch of a forecasting app in partnership with AlpacaJapan, a Tokyo-based AI startup that analyzes tick data to recognize patterns in price movements. Read More

New kid on the bloc

July – eFinancialCareers

With $8 billion in initial capital from the likes of BlackRock and Blackstone, ExodusPoint could be the largest hedge fund launch ever. They’re using the money to aggressively poach PMs from other money managers. Read More

Quandl and the alternative data revolution

August – Medium

Justin Chan, data-driven investor and blogger, writes about Quandl’s role in the alternative data revolution. (This post was written independently of Quandl). Read More

Top machine learning algorithms in use today

September – Semanti.ca

Pros and cons of the top 11 machine learning algorithms every engineer should know. Read More

The best Python tools to analyze alternative investment data for free

October – QuantMinds 365

Alternative data is becoming an integral part of the investment process and so too are the Python tools that can be used to analyze it. Norman Niemer, Chief Data Scientist at UBS Asset Management, explores the best analysis tools. Read More

Five things to know before learning Python for a finance job

November – eFinancialCareers

Python programmers are in demand at banks and hedge funds. The language is easy to learn – it’s often used in UK primary schools to teach the basics of programming. However, before your first encounter with Python there are a few things you should know. Read More

Here’s how much quants get paid at hedge funds

December – eFinancialCareers

When it comes to quant pay, the spectrum is rather wide, depending on whether or not you’re considered a ‘revenue-generator’. However, salaries are increasing across all experience levels. Read More

Your apps know where you were last night

New York Times (subscription)

Location data is now widely sold to advertisers, retailers, and hedge funds. Alongside lawmakers, regulators, and privacy advocates, the NYT is raising concerns. Read More

The impact of alt data on financial markets (video)

TD Ameritrade Network

Nasdaq Head of Alternative Data Research Bill Dague speaks on the value of alternative data, and how Nasdaq and Quandl plan to move forward post-acquisition. Read More

Fake news spooks trading algorithms

ZD Net

Algorithms can scan news stories to quickly determine if there is any market-moving information. However, AI still cannot reliably tell the difference between real and fake news. Read More

Buyside dips toes in alt data

Traders Magazine

How will traditionally active managers adapt their investment strategies as automated technologies continue to play a larger role in the trading life cycle? Buyside players, notably BMO Global Asset Management, talk about how they are approaching alternative data and other tech-driven changes. Read More

Vista Equity Partners acquires 7Park to accelerate growth in data analytics

Business Wire

Data analytics and software firm 7Park Data has been acquired by Vista Equity Partners, an investment firm focused on software, data, and technology-enabled businesses. Read More

Here’s how much quants get paid at hedge funds

eFinancialCareers

When it comes to quant pay, the spectrum is rather wide, depending on whether or not you’re considered a ‘revenue-generator’. However, salaries are increasing across all experience levels. Read More

Podcast: Wall Street wants your data

Barron’s

THost Alex Eule talks with Barron’s senior writer Avi Salzman about his recent cover story on alternative data and what it means for the average investor. Available for Barron’s subscribers or free through iTunes.

China and the US vie for AI dominance

Foreign Policy/ChinAI

AlThe US and China are vying for leadership in artificial intelligence. In Foreign Policy, authors argue that a new US National Security Commission on AI can help close the gap. Separately, the Paulson Institute-backed Marco Polo think tank has launched its new ChinAI initiative to look at the ramifications of China’s plans to become the world’s top AI innovation center by 2030.

Nasdaq acquires Quandl to advance alternative data

If you haven’t heard yet, we are delighted to announce that we have been acquired by Nasdaq. This joining of forces will result in even greater stability, an extended global reach, and new products. Read some of the coverage:

Nasdaq moves into alternative data with Quandl acquisition Financial Times

Nasdaq dives into alternative data Barron’s

Nasdaq buys company that gives hedge funds an edge… Business Insider

Alternative data going mainstream Greenwich Associates

The next chapter for Quandl

Quandl blog

Co-founder and Chief Data Officer Abraham Thomas pens an authentic and informative post on what life looks like for Quandl post-acquisition. Read More

How fund managers and retail investors can use alternative data

Barron’s (subscription)

Gaining a quant-like investing edge by examining credit cards or location-tracking apps can mean writing a big check, with no guarantee of success. But retail options for alternative data are starting to emerge. Read More

Deep learning: The revolution is here

Waters Technology (subscription)

An in-depth examination from WatersTech of deep learning’s impact on finance, with accounts from data scientists at major banks and asset managers. Read More

The potential and risks of alternative data

Barron’s (subscription)

With the growing adoption of alternative data, regulatory interest is likely to follow. A former federal prosecutor says the SEC will be interested in the intersection between privacy and insider trading. Read More

What Marko Kolanovic is looking at now

Lucena Research

Marko Kolanovic – the JP Morgan global head of macro quantitative and derivatives research who has gained a following for his forecasts about systematic investing approaches – tells Bloomberg what he sees on the horizon. Read More

Machine learning identifies crypto scams before they happen

MIT Technology Review

Pump-and-dump schemes have become increasingly common in cryptocurrency markets. Now security researchers have learned how to spot them in advance. Read More

Names on Coke bottles spell money for data-focused fintech

Bloomberg (subscription)

The success of Coca Cola’s marketing of personalized cans and bottles was partly driven by the analysis of demographic data – including age, gender and ethnicity – and demonstrates how firms can monetize the information they have on customers and supply chains, while avoiding privacy scandals. Read More