Lars Kreckel is the founder of Sentiment Matters, an independent research firm focused on investor positioning and sentiment analysis across global markets. With a career spanning both buy-side and sell-side macro strategy, Lars brings a data-driven lens to market psychology — combining behavioral insight with empirical evidence. He describes Macrobond as an indispensable platform that powers both the analytical depth and operational speed behind Sentiment Matters.

Q: Tell us about Sentiment Matters and why you decided to launch it.

Sentiment Matters is a one-stop shop for everything related to investor positioning and sentiment. It’s built on the belief that understanding market mood is just as critical as understanding fundamentals.

I’ve spent my career on both the sell side and buy side, and I saw how sentiment data was often underutilized — despite its power to explain short-term movements and turning points. When I set up the company, I knew from day one that Macrobond would be central to how we built and delivered that research.

Q: How much of your work is research-based?

Almost all of it. My day is split between collecting data, analyzing trends, building models, and then turning that analysis into clear insights for clients. Research is the heart of what we do.

The key is being able to move quickly from an idea to a visual proof point — and Macrobond enables that. It eliminates the friction between data discovery, analysis, and storytelling.

Q: How has Macrobond changed your workflow?

Before, I worked across multiple systems — spreadsheets, downloads, different charting tools — and it was messy. Macrobond replaces all of that with one integrated solution.

Now, data sourcing, charting, and analysis happen in the same place. I can create professional, client-ready visuals in minutes, knowing the underlying data is correct and automatically updated. That efficiency has been invaluable, especially when running a lean independent business.

Q: How important is data quality and depth in your line of work?

It’s critical. Everything we produce relies on accuracy and consistency. Macrobond gives me confidence that the data I’m using is reliable and that it’s comparable across sources.

It’s easy to forget how much time analysts spend cleaning and aligning data. Macrobond takes that off your plate completely. It allows me to focus on what actually matters — the interpretation and implications of that data for investors.

Q: What benefits does Macrobond bring for teams or organizations using it?

Even though Sentiment Matters is a small firm, I’ve managed large research teams in the past, and one of the biggest challenges was maintaining institutional memory — knowing how models, spreadsheets, and calculations evolved over time.

Macrobond solves that by storing all the work in one place. Anyone joining a team can open a file, see the data, formulas, and visuals, and immediately understand how it was built. That continuity is incredibly valuable for larger firms where people move roles frequently.

Q: How has Macrobond’s “living data” feature improved your reporting process?

It’s a game changer. Charts embedded in presentations automatically refresh with the latest data, which means I can reuse materials confidently and consistently.

Instead of rebuilding decks every time new data is released, I simply hit refresh and everything updates. That functionality saves time and ensures accuracy — two things that are non-negotiable when you’re publishing market analysis.

Q: How much time would you say Macrobond saves you each week?

It’s hard to quantify exactly, but easily 25–50%. Beyond the time savings, the quality of output has improved dramatically. The charts look professional, the data is transparent, and I can respond to client requests almost immediately.

That responsiveness not only helps my workflow but also enhances client relationships. It signals reliability — that you’re on top of the data and the story it tells.

Q: What makes Macrobond unique?

It’s the combination of power, precision, and partnership. The platform is robust enough for deep quantitative work but intuitive enough for quick storytelling.

For anyone doing macro research, it’s the ideal tool. It’s faster, cleaner, and smarter — everything you need to go from data to insight in one place.

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