Eye in the Sky: Private Satellites and Government Macro Data

Relying on government announcements for macro information creates a potential conflict of interest and macro uncertainty. Many private entities have started using alternative data strategies to predict macro numbers. If alternative data strategies can work for macro predictions, we can get a sense of what is happening in the economy without having to rely on the government to inform us. Abhiroop Mukherjee, George Panayotov, and Janghoon Shon discusses their findings of reduction in implied volatility and price jumps in the U.S. crude oil market as a result of satellite-based inventory estimates. These findings point to a future in which the resolution of macro uncertainty is smoother, and governments have less control over macro information. Find out more about their research in HKUST IEMS Thought Leadership Briefs No. 43