Top ER firms in Asia?

Looking for insights on the top firms providing Asia coverage? I am thinking about firms domiciled in HK, Singapore and Japan. 

I know that some of the more local banks are pretty dominant. Eg HSBC, DBS, Mizuho. But I have heard that some of the larger US companies like JPM and MS are still very relevant. 

Hoping to get a tier list similar to previously posted discussions but this time focusing on Asian ER

2 Comments
 

When it comes to Equity Research (ER) in Asia, the landscape is shaped by a mix of global heavyweights and dominant local players. Here's a breakdown based on the most helpful WSO content:

Top Global Players in Asia ER

  1. Morgan Stanley (MS) - Known for strong China coverage and a robust presence across Asia.
  2. J.P. Morgan (JPM) - Maintains relevance with comprehensive regional coverage.
  3. Credit Suisse (CS) - Particularly strong in Asia, with a significant presence in markets like Indonesia and Greater China.
  4. UBS - A major player in Asia, with a strong focus on regional equities.
  5. Goldman Sachs (GS) - While still relevant, GS has reportedly fallen slightly behind MS and CS in certain Asian markets.

Dominant Local Players

  1. HSBC - A powerhouse in Asia, especially in Hong Kong and Greater China.
  2. DBS - A leader in Southeast Asia, with a stronghold in Singapore.
  3. Mizuho - A key player in Japan, leveraging its local expertise.
  4. Nomura - Highly active in Japan and across Asia, with a strong local focus.
  5. Maybank - Prominent in Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia.

Regional Insights

  • Hong Kong/Greater China: MS, CS, and HSBC dominate, with UBS and JPM also being strong contenders.
  • Singapore/Southeast Asia: DBS and Maybank lead the pack, with global players like CS and UBS maintaining a presence.
  • Japan: Mizuho and Nomura are the go-to firms, with some competition from global players like MS and JPM.

Additional Notes

  • Local banks often have an edge in their respective markets due to language, cultural understanding, and established relationships.
  • Global firms bring broader sector expertise and access to international markets, making them competitive in cross-border research.

This tier list should give you a solid starting point for understanding the ER landscape in Asia!

Sources: Non US/Europe IB/PE Overview, Non US/Europe IB/PE Overview, What would you like to know about Equity Sales / Research?, What would you like to know about Equity Sales / Research?, HK/SG Investment Bank Rankings

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

Inventore et aperiam est itaque at. Quasi quibusdam dolorem esse qui officia ipsum asperiores eaque. Necessitatibus consequatur rerum praesentium magni qui ipsam.

Ea eius magni quisquam. Qui minus qui repudiandae ad expedita et dicta. Laboriosam ut et quas sit nulla temporibus alias. Incidunt nisi assumenda doloribus non labore rerum.

Voluptatem vero facilis eius eius in. Et fugit consectetur nam unde placeat quis deserunt ex.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”