25 Comments
 

Buy side perspective: MS>ER. GS tends to put out very high level research, even at the company level.

Disclaimer for the Kids: Any forward-looking statements are solely for informational purposes and cannot be taken as investment advice. Consult your moms before deciding where to invest.
 

sorry i was doing 2 things at once, MS > GS

I follow their energy research and think this. Our generalist value team here also thinks the same. I have a friend at a physical commodity shop (who presumably also follows their energy research) tell me the same thing the other day.

Disclaimer for the Kids: Any forward-looking statements are solely for informational purposes and cannot be taken as investment advice. Consult your moms before deciding where to invest.
 

To be honest, I don't think it matters very much which firm you work for. The more important factor to consider is which analyst you would work with, his reputation, and how well you work with him and his style of running a team

 

MS ER >> GS ER

MS is ranked top 3 in ER. GS is not even top 5.

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 

and ISI was acquired by Evercore.

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 

I'll be surprised if GS ER is even in top 10.

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 

you really don't get it, do you?

it is about analyst that you work for, not some ranking dude... sure, good global ranking helps, but it doesn't mean shit if you go deeper into sectors, analysts, etc.

if he can get a good analyst and have a GS brand he will go a long way, i am sure

 

ok

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature."
 

All depends on analyst, but seems like MS ER has a lot more II ranked analysts than GS ER...

Like I know MS ER has had the best Media & Telecom analyst for the past few years. Would give my first born for a chance to be his Associate.

 

I'll say it again cause I think it's being overlooked -- you gotta consider the analyst's personality and the way he runs his team as well. Most associates I knew would have easily given up a spot on a top II ranked team for a chance to work with certain analysts who treated their associate better, didn't go batshit insane at random things, allowed them to have more client exposure, or allowed them to have better work life balance.

There are many senior analysts out there who will work you to the bone updating models and doing mundane things without giving you a chance to move up.

 
cob5

I'll say it again cause I think it's being overlooked -- you gotta consider the analyst's personality and the way he runs his team as well. Most associates I knew would have easily given up a spot on a top II ranked team for a chance to work with certain analysts who treated their associate better, didn't go batshit insane at random things, allowed them to have more client exposure, or allowed them to have better work life balance.

There are many senior analysts out there who will work you to the bone updating models and doing mundane things without giving you a chance to move up.

This is so true.

 
Best Response

It's difficult to do without making yourself look bad. In the interview, you can talk about how he runs his team, what the expectations are, etc.

An even better thing to do might be to ask some of the other associates on the floor on other teams. They are more likely to be honest, and won't be involved in the hiring decision. Obviously, you still have to be careful with how you word things since they might be good friends with people on the other team.

How you get in touch with them is another thing. While you're on the floor, you can ask which teams sit around where your team sits. If you can then get their research reports, the associates will be listed on there. Alternatively you can try to meet as many associates/assistants before/after the interview and ask them whether they'd recommend the team you're interviewing for (not sure if you'd get a chance to do this though)

At the two different banks I worked at, the other associates knew the reputation of the senior analyst and how he ran his team.

 

What are the offers?

You're born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. You climb a little higher, you take less shit. Till one day you're up in the rarefied atmosphere and you've forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the layer cake, son.
 

No, I mean what are they offering you? Pay, bonus/benefits, etc.

You're born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. You climb a little higher, you take less shit. Till one day you're up in the rarefied atmosphere and you've forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the layer cake, son.
 

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