Event-Driven / Merger Arb to Fundamental L/S

Title basically says it, but how pigeon-holing is it to join a merger arb strat (or event driven generally) early in career? Seems like the other way around is much more flexible long-term

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Not a lot of guys do this because arbs don’t really have any skills that translate to broader HF space.

Mainly modeling. My first PM couldn’t do anything is excel. Like anything at all. Not that he DIDNT, he COULDNT.

Modeling offers no value to an arb - we don’t care what numbers look like in 2 quarters because the deal will be done by then. (Obviously, not always true… CPRI downside came down a lot, but it’s pretty much just insanely simple merger models and downside calculations off of a multiple) Explaining this to L/S friends is always entertaining.

Event guys definitely have an easier time making the switch, because it’s more focused on valuation/other fundamental aspects of investing… thematic elements, etc.

 

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