2018 was another great year for alpha capture. Sell-side firms shared over a quarter of a million ideas with their buy-side clients (a record high), and those ideas were worth a remarkable 44 bps on average. The TIM network has continued to grow from 310 firms in 2017 to 330 firms this year.

In 2019, we expect more small firms to contribute ideas, and specialist firms to start receiving ideas. Independent Research Providers and other specialists with a legitimate market edge will make more money through trade ideas in 2019, complementing a broadening of interest in ideas from multiple fund types. We expect more systematic firms to want ideas and existing firms to pay more for access to exclusive content from contributors of all types.

We appreciate the individuals and firms that make the TIM network valuable for all of us and look forward to a great start to 2019.