Research Analysts

A research analyst in the financial sector can work for a bank or broker (known as a sell-side analyst), an investment manager (a buy-side analyst) or at an independent firm. They analyse equities, fixed-income (rates and credit), currencies, commodities, property/alternatives, or combinations. They provide fundamental, technical, quantitative, strategic or relative-value analysis; analysis on individual companies, industry sectors, or countries, or they have a global remit. Analysts these days use quantitative techniques and process vast amounts of data to help them form views on company and sector valuations; and make earnings, stock price and credit spread forecasts. As well as providing portfolio managers with investment ideas, research analysts on the sell side are also involved (albeit with very stringent restrictions) in corporate finance assignments to help their firms win underwriting or advisory mandates.