The View from Space

Satellite Imagery is providing valuble insight to investors

- By Matthew Flynn

Buy the rumor, sell the news. Bulls make e money, bears make money, pigs get slaughtered. Sell when people are greedy and buy when they are fearful.These and about a hundred other stock market clichés are what you’re likely to hear if you ask a friend or family member for interesting advice.Not to say that there isn’t some truth to such pieces of wisdom, but investors looking to turn a profit are often looking for advice that's a bit more actionable.

In recent years, satellite imagery has become the place where investment banks and hedge fund managers turn for stock picking advice - a development that is not without a bit of controversy.

WHY SATELLITE IMAGERY?

The aerial view provided by satellite imagery gives a unique perspective of businesses and insight into their health. Such a practice dates back at least to the early days of Walmart when Sam Walton was rumored to fly in a helicopter over his stores and count cars in the parking lot to determine how well they were doing. A similar practice done on a much larger scale was how RS Metrics, a pioneer in the field, got started in using satellite imagery to predict stocks.