2025 Global Alts New York: Finding Alpha Amidst Data Overload

At the 2025 Global Alts New York conference, a panel titled "Leveraging Data & Technology to Identify Industry Disruption & Alpha Opportunities" delved into the profound impact of data and technology on the investment landscape. Moderated by Art Vinokur, Head of Manager Research at Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions and K2 Advisors, the discussion featured esteemed panelists Imran Khan, CIO and Founder of Proem Asset Management; Yushi Lee, Founder, CEO, and CIO of Karana Capital; and Rich Nuzum, CFA, Executive Director for Investments and Global Chief Investment Strategist at Mercer. The panel explored the critical interplay between data, analytical tools, and human intuition in navigating an increasingly complex and information-saturated world, highlighting strategies for identifying fleeting alpha opportunities and long-term industry disruptions.

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2025 Global Alts New York - Imran Khan, Yushi Lee, and Rich Nuzum On Identifying Industry Disruption & Alpha Opportunities

Data vs. Analytics

Art Vinokur initiated the discussion by posing a foundational question: In a data-heavy world where significant time and money are invested, what provides the true edge – unique data sources or superior analytical capabilities? The panelists largely converged on the idea that both are essential, but the edge often lies in how data is processed and understood.

Imran Khan emphasized the dual necessity of data for understanding trends and the ability to analyze it to discern underlying drivers amidst market noise. He cautioned against data overload, stressing that gaining "insight from that data and to conclusion that's really really important".

Rich Nuzum offered a pragmatic view, stating that while acquiring predictive data that others lack would be "magical," such an advantage is typically brief as data quickly becomes widely available. Consequently, the competitive advantage swiftly shifts to the ability to analyze data more effectively. Nuzum highlighted the benefit of being "one or two steps ahead" in analysis, allowing investors to get paid faster when others eventually agree with their insights. He noted that being too far ahead could be detrimental, especially in short selling, where an otherwise "right" call might be invalidated by market irrationality or external factors before it can be realized.