Sentiment or data?

Lockdown has encouraged plenty of helpful opportunities to learn more, especially about changes to the way we work, shop and spend our leisure time.  Covid will not be limited to the terrible deaths, time in hospital or on furlough. The real cost will come from the social and economic impact. Vaccinations offer hope but we all need Covid recovery plans.

Most of us have never experienced greater change or the challenge of making well-informed decisions. Information in webinars may be useful, but in the past we had the benefit of insight - well informed “market gossip” given in private, with an air of confidence and offering a valuable connection to “reality” in what is collectively known as market sentiment.

In these unpredictable times, what matters most – sentiment or data?  

The answer is both. Data comes from screens and needs context. Sentiment benefits from discussion and knowledge-sharing. Do not hesitate to use that great social gift of speech. Talking, exchanging ideas, challenging thoughts has never been more relevant and when we can, we must meet people again, even if the return to the office does not happen. Let us hope that imposed hibernation soon comes to an end so that sentiment, or as it might be best described, informed prediction, can return.