Analyst backgrounds in Fundamental Equity HFs

Hi fellow monkeys

I'm currently a MM M&A analyst in my second year. I've got interested in public equity and would be aiming to transfer over to that side at one point in my career. After researching quite a few job applications on public equity roles, and reading a ton of advice from this and other websites, I think I have some views that I would like to test and get feedback from you, so here goes:
1. The more concentrated portfolio an equity HF runs, the more are they willing to take on people with M&A/PE backgrounds. AM shops are rather looking for sell-side or buy-side ER people.
The logic seems to be:
Concentrated portfolio -> Need to know more about each investment -> Do more research on companies -> Can build a more comprehensive model -> Need the skill-set to do that -> Hire M&A/PE background
2. The funds who are looking for the M&A/PE guys, are also less interested in the CFA.

Now a few questions as well:
As I'm in MM M&A and want to end up in one of those concentrated equity HF shops at one point. Should I:
1. Lateral to a larger M&A house?
2. Try to get into MM PE?
3. Go to buy-side long-only?
4. Go to sell-side equity research at a larger place?
5. Continue MM M&A as long as I get some traction from concentrated equity HFs?
6. Should I also do a CFA?

Thanks a lot,