Useful Analyst Excercises/Habits

Hello everyone! I am just starting in the industry from undergrad and want to get better every day. What are some specific skillset exercises or habits that helped you become a better analyst/investor? Thanks.

 

Hey there! Jumping into the industry fresh from undergrad is quite the adventure. Here are some specific exercises and habits that have been shared by seasoned pros on Wall Street Oasis to help you become a sharper analyst:

  1. Morning Exercise Routine:

    • Structure: Start your day with 10 minutes of exercise every morning. It gives you a predictable routine and ensures you have time for yourself before the chaos of the day begins.
    • Small Wins: Even a short workout can boost your confidence and sense of accomplishment, setting a positive tone for the day.
  2. Mastering Software Shortcuts:

    • Get proficient with Outlook shortcuts for efficient email and calendar management.
    • Learn the ins and outs of financial databases like CIQ/FactSet and their customizable shortcuts.
  3. Educational Foundation:

    • Having a strong background in accounting and finance can give you an edge. If you've taken modeling courses or understand corporate finance, you're ahead of the curve.
  4. Healthy Lifestyle:

    • Prioritize a healthy diet and regular workouts. It's not just good for your body but also for your mental sharpness and overall happiness.
  5. Curiosity and Learning:

    • Never be afraid to ask questions. It's crucial for learning and helps you avoid misunderstandings.
  6. Mental Resilience:

    • Understand that the job is temporary. Don't dwell on mistakes or negative interactions. Learn from them and move on.
  7. Networking:

    • Build strong relationships with a few colleagues who can support and vouch for you. Workplace politics can be significant, so having allies is beneficial.
  8. Stress Management:

    • Find ways to manage stress effectively. This could be through meditation, hobbies, or simply taking breaks to maintain a clear mind.
  9. Attention to Detail:

    • Take breaks and revisit your work with fresh eyes to catch errors you might have missed initially.

Remember, it's a mix of technical skills, soft skills, and personal well-being that makes a great analyst. Keep these practices in mind, and you'll be on your way to excelling in the industry. Keep swinging through those financial jungles, and you'll do great!

Sources: How to be the Best Analyst, Finishing 1st Year as HF Analyst - Ask Anything, Q&A: Non Targ -> BB Coverage Group -> Incoming MM PE, Vent Some Wisdom to Incoming Analysts/Interns, Reflections from year 4 as an equity analyst

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Hello there! Transitioning from undergrad to the industry is a big step, and it's great to hear you're eager to improve. Here are some specific exercises and habits that have been shared by seasoned professionals on Wall Street Oasis that could help you become a better analyst:

  1. Daily Exercise Routine:

    • 10 Minutes of Morning Exercise: Incorporating a short exercise routine every morning can provide structure and a sense of accomplishment. It doesn't have to be long; even 10 minutes of core exercises, push-ups, or weight lifting can set a positive tone for the day.
  2. Efficiency with Tools:

    • Mastering Outlook: Learn all the shortcuts and functionalities of Outlook, such as scheduling meetings, managing emails, and setting reminders.
    • Financial Software Proficiency: Get comfortable with CIQ/FactSet and their customizable shortcuts to streamline your workflow.
  3. Continuous Learning:

    • Financial Modeling and Corporate Finance: Even if you've taken courses in college, continue to refine these skills and apply them in your work.
    • Asking Questions: Never hesitate to ask questions. It's a crucial habit for learning and avoiding misunderstandings.
  4. Health and Diet:

    • Maintain a Healthy Diet and Exercise: Prioritizing your health can improve your mood and effectiveness at work.
    • Regular Breaks and Stretching: To prevent health issues related to long hours of inactivity, take breaks and stretch regularly.
  5. Workplace Dynamics:

    • Handling Rude People: Maintain professionalism and don't retaliate. A simple "Will do" can be an effective response.
    • Building Relationships: Have a few close colleagues who can vouch for you, as office politics can play a role in reviews and bonuses.
  6. Mental Resilience:

    • Stress Management: Learn to manage stress levels to maintain energy and produce quality work.
    • Taking Breaks: Step away from your work occasionally to catch errors and gain fresh perspectives.

Remember, being a good analyst isn't just about technical skills; it's also about developing the right mindset and habits that will support your growth in the industry. Keep learning, stay curious, and take care of your well-being. Good luck on your journey!

Sources: Vent Some Wisdom to Incoming Analysts/Interns, Q&A: Non Targ -> BB Coverage Group -> Incoming MM PE, How to be the Best Analyst, IB ANALYST REVIEWS, Reflections from year 4 as an equity analyst

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
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Overarching everything, I'd say the best habits are the ones you stick to. So if someone recommends geting up every morning and running a 5k and you don't like running, that's not really a good habit for yourself. 

Habit's I'd in corporate that aren't some generic exercise program from the internet:

1. Be somewhat strict with your bedtime. There's that saying that 15 minutes at night feels different than 15 minutes of ever sleep, so make sure you try to get a reasonable amount of sleep and keep it somewhat structured. 

2. Watch the food and beverage intake. Sounds somewhat corny, but it helps. Probably a little easier now that a lot more people don't drink crazy, but still monitor it. Also, the food, food is a big part. It's funny because if you showed up to work drunk everyday your boss would want to have a word with you, but if you showed up eating bad no one says anything, when both can affect work performance. 

3. OP, as stated, your trying to make small changes, that's how things get done. Too many people try to change everything at once and that usually doesn't work out. Might be, maybe I change how I prepare my coffee so its not ~1,000 calories, then you change out an afternoon snack for something healthy, or you start with 15 minute workouts then progress as you go. 

4. In terms of working out, do it for what you need. Everyone starts off trying to get jacked off the bat, and its good to have a goal. If  you want to get shredded go for it, but also don't feel you have to or do something that will get you hurt. 

5. Don't let one day throw you off. In banking/consulting you may have one meal/project that is different than what'd you'd expect or want to do, just suck it and don't fall off the wagon, always be open to some kind of adjustment.

 

Couple of things from 7 great years at pod shops that helped me get that all-important early career momentum...

tldr: be nice to everyone and quantify everything.

  • Quantify. Everything.... for your coverage. Even if you don't think it matters! You cover restaurants and Chipotle is rolling out salads for the first time? Take 5 minutes in excel to swag how that is likely to impact revenue and EPS. Getting into the habit of this early in your career will be the greatest thing you can do to build up intuition that over time will allow you to quickly sort out immaterial vs. material news and save you months' worth of time chasing loose ends.
  • Network. This is tougher than it sounds. The job can be pretty intense, and staying in touch can be difficult. Don't be that guy who only hits up their "buddy" they met at a conference when you are doing work on a stock they cover well, people will (at least subconsciously) catch on, and you will be the last one they call when they uncover an interesting new idea. Call people to chat ideas, remember & congratulate them if they're having a kid or other personal milestones, and voluntarily share your top ideas early and often (don't break any compliance rules obviously!). Your network can also act as a great sounding board for ideas early in your career.
  • Company Meetings. Don't be the guy at meetings who is overly uptight, asking questions for 31 minutes of a 30-minute meeting. Management teams and IR teams are (surprisingly) normal people too and it is not fun to get grilled for 10 hours straight in a muggy old hotel room. Be kind to them and do not just grill them non-stop. This is not for nefarious reasons to glean info (again, respect the rules and compliance), but what goes around comes around. Be nice to people!
  • Sell-side. Be nice to your salespeople and research analysts. They will come in handy when you least expect it. Do not treat these relationships as transactional. You may be unlucky and lose your job unexpectedly, and they will be able to help you out. They are people too!
  • Internal Ops & Recruiters. If you are at a large fund (pod), some of the best info can come from the Ops team, particularly recruiters. When you are advancing your career being friendly with them will add a ton of value and they will be able to provide you with the most up-to-date gossip on who got X bonus and Y guarantee to jump ship to [insert fund name here].
 

Become obsessive about capturing news flow for your coverage and related company universe. Anything you cover, their main comps, and other tangentially related / interesting things goes on a Bloomberg worksheet that pushes real time news to a feed you should always have up on your screen through the day (mine takes up about 1/5 the real estate on a screen). Set separate alerts for stocks to notify you on +/- 3% (or w/e) intra-day moves. Sign up for e-mail alerts for press releases on investor relation pages. Go directly to the sell side research portals and subscribe to your research coverage so notes automatically go to your email. Ask your sales coverage to sign you up for the e-mail / IB desk blasts they may have available. Every morning, take 5 minutes to screen the pre-market news flow and do the same post-market before you sign off for the day. Find other relevant industry rags / blogs to subscribe to. Anything material or interesting happens to a company you follow you should know. 

It sounds over kill and will blow up your inbox, but after a bit you'll acclimate to the flow and it won't be overwhelming. Hard to know what's important / not important before you've lived your coverage for a few quarters. Try to think why certain events are or are not important. When I have new analysts start we go through the news flow every morning for their first few weeks just to get in the cadence of paying attention and training immediate reactions. 

If you think this isn't a priority, just wait until you miss one or two important events for something in the book and your PM catches you like a deer in headlights...

 

Any way to set up a similar flow on Factset?

 

Sorry I've never used Factset so can't say for sure, but I would be surprised if there wasn't something similar. 

I also meant to add that on Bloomberg you can set events for your watchlist names to auto export to your outlook calendar which is helpful for conferences, earnings, other events etc. 

 

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