While this could probably go in the ER forum, I wanted to post it in here to find of what people think of various firms when it comes to SS research. Who are the best banks? Who are your favorite analysts? Which banks are overrated? Which MM has the best research?
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Others will have much more experience interacting with the sell-side, but I get a decent amount of written research.
For the written stuff (morning emails, earnings previews/recaps, frequency of updates), UBS and JPM have great coverage and I have no complaints with the analysts. I also like Barclays. DB is pretty comprehensive as well although I feel like the analysts aren't as good. I don't like GS much at all, although I find them to present contrarian viewpoints more than others.
I wish I had more Bernstein and MS access, my sense is pretty good stuff there but haven't seen enough. BAML/Citi I guess I view similarly to DB, maybe they are more like UBS/JPM/Barclays, just don't have as much exposure.
There are a surprising number of smaller firms out there who can give you color on management engagements (to me very valuable) or otherwise bring up an idea or point you may be overlooking (or aware of but want to talk it through). KeyBanc, RBC, CJS, Ray Jay, Benchmark, Northland, JMP, Cowen, BRG, Wunderlich, Jefferies, Cantor all have decent coverage. Other firms have obvious niches like Simmons (Piper), HEA and Tudor in energy. Cleveland Research I wish I had some exposure to apparently they are good. Vertical does a nice job with industrials/materials.
Yeah i pretty much agree with this. Bernstein is very good and I would probably put them at the top of the list for the analysts I've had exposure to. I also work a lot with Cleveland Research and they are great as well - a bit more high frequency looks and channel check type stuff and maybe a bit fluffier on the strategy side, but that's fine. Generally really cool guys. I'd also give a shout out for ISI although I do think the product has gone downhill under Evercore. I like Stifel for select analysts and KeyBanc/PacCrest as well.
Among the bulge guys, MS and JP have the most consistently good product. These are great analysts to talk to as you are ramping up since they know their industries well, have great corp access, and can generally steer you in the right direction on key debates. Their conferences are also the nuts. Agree that I have not been impressed at all by Goldman. They've literally burned through like four analysts in my space in the five years I've been covering the group and they keep replacing them with these super green kids. Some are smart, sure, but they have nothing to add whatsoever.
We actually just had a discussion about the guys we're turned on for and who is using what to try and redirect our trade flows more towards guys we actually use. Consensus for us was ISI and Bernstein as the favorites. Least favorites were DB and JPM with the rest falling somewhere in the middle.
I'm of the opinion that it 100% depends on the analyst so I can't say I have a favorite provider. I just like to see stuff that has an original angle and isn't just the consensus with their bank's name slapped on or just a regurgitation of management's words with a price target added. I will add that there are some shops that put out trash but they have solid events and management access, so it's worth maintaining the relationship. Can't really judge sell-side with a one size fits all evaluation.