So … much … data. (Image: Thinkstock)
Capital markets firms are under tremendous pressure to make the most judicious business and investment decisions possible, and the effectiveness of these decisions mainly depends on the data underpinning them.
Recent research commissioned by MarkLogic, a software business, finds that the financial services industry continues to struggle with general data and information management. At the same time, many firms are trying to develop and implement a single data platform to enhance their business and investment decision-making.
At midyear, WatersTechnology, a financial market technology information provider, surveyed 104 investment practitioners and IT staff at investment banks, traditional asset managers and broker-dealers spread evenly across North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific.
The survey asked how the firms used data to generate differentiated insights and empower better and faster decision-making in pursuit of alpha. Researchers also wanted to determine limitations in current data management systems and approaches that held back capital markets firms in achieving desired outcomes.
Some two-thirds of capital markets firms in the survey said they struggled with research data that was poorly managed or difficult to access. Sixty-four percent said their organization's research data was stored in too many disparate systems or locations across the enterprise.
Sixty-six percent of respondents complained that they were unable to access all research information in one place, with 21% saying this negatively affected performance and investment decisions.
Seven in 10 survey participants said they had insufficient tools, or none at all, to create timely, personalized, authoritative research for clients, diminishing the client experience.
