I am not quite sure how one would go about an alternate method for assessing the actual value of user data, but it has always seemed rather obvious to me that it is hugely downplayed by all the self-interested parties and their defenders.
Would it, in this case maybe be the change in market cap pre and post sales figures? But even that, as pointed out, has some increases baked in based on alternative research to estimate performance. I guess you would need to find a very specific company that really does not lend itself to outside, tangential research and that keeps its performance measures and metrics under wraps really well between announcements. Anyone have any idea of an industry or company that fits such a profile?
Does anyone else realize we are really in and moving deeply into an era that is going to add significant opportunities for corruption and economic capture.