May 2025 Alternative Data Round Up: An Insightful Look at Market Trends and Data Driven Research
The month of May was packed with activity across the alt data community and BattleFin is your source for news you can use. Take a look at highlights from the last few weeks, including trends in data insights, tarriffs, alt data product launches, and more.
THE DATA CORNER
Data Due Diligence
Lowenstein Sandler are known for their expertise in navigating the complex regulatory landscape surrounding the use of alternative data and AI by investment firms. Here's an update to brush up on some of the key items and make your engagement with buys side firms smoother.
Hungry for Insights?
The folks at SensorTower developed a study on dating apps, highlighting their struggle to drive downloads and MAUs, as users pull back due to app fatigue and a return to in person connections.
TGT: According to Advan Research's analysis, reports of significant declines in Target's store traffic due to DEI-related backlash may be overstated. Their data indicates that while comparable store transactions decreased by 2.4% and in-store sales by 5.7%, digital sales—primarily from store delivery and curbside pickup—increased by 4.7%. Notably, affluent households, which constitute a substantial portion of Target's customer base, showed a 3% to 6% decline in visits. However, this trend appears more attributable to a shift towards digital channels and competition from other retailers like Costco and Amazon, rather than a direct response to DEI policies.
Consumer Edge’s transaction data also forecast negative growth below consensus estimates.
What’s happening with Temu and Shein? US shoppers are reportedly moving away from the two brands. Is a boost in traffic to Macy’s, Kohl's and Gap driven by this? Temu and Shein are pivoting to Europe to drive growth, but the question is how long will that last?
CFPB Quietly Kills Rule to Shield Americans From Data Brokers - does it make web and app data more valuable?
Placer.ai published a report to highlight the shifting tides in US Manufacturing. A report on Grocery Stores based on foot traffic data. A few key takeaways:
Shoppers are taking more, shorter trips to grocery stores.
Grocery stores are holding ground against fierce competition.
Grocery visit share is most pronounced on the coasts.
Fresh-format, value, and ethnic grocery visit shares are growing at the expense of traditional chains..
Hispanic markets are on the rise.
Smaller format stores outplaced mid-size and larger format ones underscoring the power of compact spaces to deliver significant foot traffic gains.
Gauging the tariff impact on Manufacturing.
Aura Intel’s April 2025 US jobs market report shows continued recovery with distinct upticks in hiring across operations heavy and tech driven sectors. Key takeaways -
Job postings surged in several states - CA and TX - indicating a geographic momentum towards key economic hubs.
Demand remained strong for retail and operational skills with steady traction for Python and Cloud tech skills signaling deeper tech workforce integration.
Operational and engineering roles saw notable MoM growth reflecting hiring for essential services and innovation pipelines.
LinkUp did an April 2025 Jobs Recap highlighting employers in a wait and see approach.
MARKET FORECAST
Word on the Street
Our friends at IPO Prophet shared signs of the IPO market opening up:
Despite Macro headwinds, the market seems to have stabilized with three firms - eToro, Hinge Health, and MNTN - going public ahead of the memorial day weekend. All three priced at the high end of their ranges and opened higher.
eToro’s Strong Debut: The fintech platform priced above its $46–$50 range, reflecting strong institutional demand. Its 29% first-day gain highlights renewed risk appetite, particularly among investors seeking exposure to the crypto-adjacent growth story.
Q1 Deal Surge: The U.S. IPO market saw a 55% increase in deal count compared to Q1 2024, with 59 IPOs raising $8.9 billion.
Tariffs: What to Know
From ISI Markets
The Tariff story in charts: A tour of the background for the tariffs, what's at risk for the biggest US trading partners, and potential knock-on effects for consumer prices.
Liberation day and after - volatility for global fund flows - a visual journey
INDUSTRY NEWS
Product Launches
Paychex Data Solutions launched multiple data products to provide unique visibility into underrepresented small and mid-sized business (SMB) market which represent approx 45% of US GDP.
TendeAlpha launched a “Cancelled Contracts as a Stock Market Signal” product.
Facteus ONYX: Access the largest consistent capture of product SKU-level sales data covering hardline and softline companies in the United States.
LSEG MarketPsych Transcript Analytics (MTA): Earning call analytics for Investing, ESG Research and Risk Management.
SpiderRock announces MLink API for streaming and querying live data for equity options and options on futures. It supports multiple modern message formats.
