Figuring out if analysts are good

How do you determine if an analyst is considered good for firms that are not on the II rankings?

Some methods I've tried:

  • Finding former associates on LinkedIn - Helpful for exit opps
  • Networking with former associates - Very helpful IF they respond, big if
  • Tipranks - Don't think it's super useful
  • YoE - More established = better but that disregards the rare young superstars

Anything else?

10 Comments
 
Most Helpful

The real answer is, you just don’t know. Particularly for “rising young star” types, unless you have internal access to their duration and broker votes, there is really no better way to tell. That’s why II gets so much attention, even with all of its inherent flaws. Also, analysts themselves would define success differently as well…some are in it for the banking deals, others are contrarian headline seekers, still others are networking-focused for corporate access. There’s really no point trying to generalize among the different ways to skin a cat

As for the methods you mentioned…former associate exits are meh, I’ve found they have much more to do with the associate him/herself; maybe they got sick of ER and exited to IR or they were always a stock junkie and now trade for a pod. Tipranks is absolute hot garbage, it’s amazing anyone buys their shit. YOE can’t differentiate among the diff franchise models as mentioned above, but yeah I guess it at least means analyst generates enough revenue somehow to be able to stick around. But even then, plenty of extremely mediocre guys plodding around the Street…

 

yeah - if you want to work for a good analyst, just drop $1500 to read a beauty contest's results. great plan.

And can it ever be?
 

I frankly think being with a highly ranked analyst early on in career is overrated.

Since you’re starting with basics no matter where, you’re better off choosing someone who is willing to teach you and give you opportunities, and is pleasant to work with.

If you’re ambitious about positioning, then try to lateral after you have had some experience and know how/where to position yourself.

 

I think ranked/good analyst is better than non-ranked/okay analyst for younger associates all things equal, but I understand your point.

This is also OP asking from a lateral point of view. Sure, I know which platforms are generally better and can see II rankings but there are plenty of firms/analysts not on II and I still have no idea how to tell if they are good if they are outside my current coverage lol. Like the top poster discussed, there might not be a good way to tell.

 

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