Should I make the move to an LO asset manager?

I graduated from college 4 years ago and have been an equity research analyst in a fairly large and well-known asset manager in my region for about 2 years. We are multi-manager and run several long-only or long-biased strategies. I like the investment process, the relative stability of the firm (much better than many small funds or large pod shops), the freedom I have in terms of research. I work as a generalist and I can be very flexible in what to look at.

Most importantly, the firm is keen to promote analysts to PMs or at least co-PMs who have a small book to run. I am told 2 years down the road I may be able to become a co-PM. Chance is not bad from my observation. Last year we promoted an analyst to co-PM, but he left and moved to another country. This year we just promoted an analyst to be a PM and he is just a couple of years senior than me.

The bad thing here is that analysts are not paid that well. I would say the pay is acceptable, much better than many small funds (especially after adjusting for the career stability) but still lag behind the global asset managers operating here. And I just got an offer from a fairly large global LO manager, and the pay is considerably better.

My ultimate goal is to become a PM, running the same kind of long-term fundamental strategy. Should I just endure 2-3 years to see whether I can make it to PM, or I just jump straight to the LO? Obviously it would take much longer to become a PM in the LO.

1 Comments
 

Et porro doloribus expedita amet dignissimos quod. Odio iste ut quae est ipsum architecto. Delectus voluptatem placeat et. Deserunt aut quis impedit inventore qui nobis.

Deleniti magni sit labore possimus sed natus deleniti. Nemo aut eum commodi et. Nobis maxime a praesentium qui id alias placeat ducimus. Quam voluptas est dolor et perferendis quam.

Perspiciatis ut doloremque perspiciatis omnis ut odio corrupti. Distinctio dolorem nam ex inventore odit. Quia maxime at autem quibusdam ut velit. Quis ut est nostrum autem. Non corporis commodi et rem ab. Minus dolorem sed impedit architecto explicabo.

Sit inventore perferendis magni nesciunt officia. Deserunt optio enim et tempora ipsa totam voluptate. Non laborum neque adipisci sequi. Qui doloremque nostrum consequatur ratione dolore eos. Ex necessitatibus et neque quia qui.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.0%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.0%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.0%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Two Sigma Investments 94.9%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (11) $372
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (83) $287
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $193
  • Analysts (233) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (276) $95
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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”