Welcome to the first edition of The Signal – a new column from Neudata that highlights the latest data vendor research on market trends. Each link below highlights a research study or report released by a data provider, in which they analyse their own data in conjunction with this month's relevant market headlines.

In our first edition, we’ll discuss data insights about retail investor activity, UK consumer sector activity, US stimulus payments and the sectors most impacted, and trends in manufacturing.

Gen-Xers, not Millennials were the main drivers of Wall Street frenzy
Despite a media narrative that placed the responsibility on younger investors, Gen-X investors were most likely to buy GME and AMC stocks in January than their Millennial counterparts, according to a new TipRanks study. The findings suggest that more advanced investors were dabbling in these retail trades than previously thought.
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Grocery sector gains are sustained into 2021, as basket sizes continue to increase
Grocery spending in the UK is on pace to surpass already elevated 2020 spending levels, according to an analysis of Fable Data stats. Retailers are benefiting from increased online capacities and increased basket sizes from consumers as they navigate UK’s latest lockdown.
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A stimulating January for low-income shoppers
New US stimulus payments are making a big impact on consumers with low incomes, according to Consumer Edge. The industries that saw the biggest chunk of consumers’ checks in January included fitness products/training, men’s apparel and wearable electronics, gambling and casinos, and luxury products and fine dining.
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Stimulus round 2: A booster shot for retail?
A report from Earnest Research found that merchants that benefited most from the US stimulus included Peleton, Doordash, Academy Sports, Etsy, Ross, Lowe’s and Lululemon. The retailers with the least benefit included Sprouts, McDonald’s and restaurant brands, fast food and grocery chains. Overall, stimulus recipients outspent non-recipients by 22% YOY.
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Carmakers are facing a new challenge: chip shortages
Automakers are dealing with a global chip shortage that’s forcing them to cut production, according to Advan Research. However, the concerns aren’t just limited to auto manufacturers — foot traffic data to the provider’s Industrials Index shows employee counts have been decreasing since mid-November 2020, signalling a production slow-down to other industries in the sector.
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Despite declines, manufacturing growth remains strong in January
However, data from the Institute for Supply Management indicated that 16 of the 18 manufacturing sectors it tracks saw growth in January. Overall, the majority of the report’s key metrics saw declines in January, including new orders, production and supplier deliveries.
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Bank on it: Time spent in finance apps during 2020 leapt by 45% year-over-year
Consumers spent 45% more time on mobile finance apps during 2020, App Annie noted in its State of Mobile 2021 report. Several new payment apps entered the market last year, notably Tez and PhonePe in India and PayPay in Japan.
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