In the context of the institutional investment process, what is alternative data and how is it used?

This course explores the alternative data ecosystem, R&D process flow, and modeling and investment insights. It offers practical portfolio examples for both fundamental and quantitative investors, reviews alt data trends and case studies, and includes a section on standards and compliance.

The course is the first of its kind aimed at working professionals, and only assumes a basic knowledge of statistics and finance. Experience working in financial markets is recommended.

Faculty Expert:

GENE EKSTER is an adjunct professor at NYU, where he teaches a course on alternative data in finance. He is also the CEO of AltDG, an alternative data software company. Previously, he managed the alternative data team at Point72 Asset Management and worked in alternative-data roles at Balyasny Asset Management, Lone Pine, 1010 Data, and Majestic Research. Gene is a board member of IDSO (a compliance organization), Eagle Alpha, Ottoquant, and Super Signal Capital. He holds a degree in Artificial Intelligence from U.C. Berkeley, an MBA from Cornell University, and is a CFA charter holder.