Which sector coverage would you say is most in demand?

I am at a career crossroads deciding between two opportunities, one offers ER in tech and the other in healthcare (i am equally interested in both). My goal is to move to buy side eventually. If anyone knows about this, who do hedge funds tend to hire more? Healthcare or tech analysts? Also and importantly, is tech oversaturated? As in there are so many applicants from whom they can choose so that it slims one’s chances?

 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, both technology and healthcare sectors are highly in demand, especially when considering a transition to the buy-side. Here's a breakdown to help you weigh your options:

  1. Technology Sector:

    • Capital Attraction: Technology continues to attract capital because of secular trends, indicating a robust demand for analysts who understand this dynamic sector.
    • Everyday Relevance: Technology is intertwined with daily life, making its analysis crucial for investors looking to capitalize on the next big innovation or trend.
    • Market Saturation Concerns: While there's a notion that the tech sector might be oversaturated with talent, the constant evolution and emergence of new technologies mean that there's always a need for insightful analysts. The key is to build a unique edge, which can be challenging given the speculative nature of estimating market sizes and growth rates for tech companies.
  2. Healthcare Sector:

    • Specialization Value: Healthcare analysis requires a deep understanding of not just the financials but also the regulatory environment and scientific advancements. This specialization can make healthcare analysts particularly valuable.
    • Investor Interest: Like technology, healthcare is a sector that continues to draw investor interest, partly due to the aging population and the constant need for medical innovation.
    • Buy-Side Transition: Hedge funds and other buy-side institutions often look for analysts with specialized knowledge. Given the complexity and critical nature of healthcare, analysts with expertise in this sector may find ample opportunities on the buy-side.

Hedge Fund Preferences: - Hedge funds tend to hire analysts who can bring deep sector-specific insights and the ability to identify idiosyncratic investment opportunities. Both tech and healthcare analysts are in demand, but the preference can vary based on the fund's strategy and current market dynamics.

Conclusion: - Given your equal interest in both sectors and the goal to move to the buy-side, consider which sector aligns more with your strengths and where you can develop a distinctive edge. Both sectors offer promising paths to the buy-side, but the decision might ultimately come down to where you see yourself adding the most value and what excites you the most about the future.

Remember, the choice between technology and healthcare should also reflect your passion and where you believe you can excel, as this will significantly impact your long-term success and satisfaction in your career.

Sources: How to pick your next sell-side research job, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/hedge-fund/best-industries-to-specialize-in?customgpt=1, What sector is easiest/best to cover under a market neutral frame work?, How to pick your next sell-side research job, Hedge Fund: The Investment Life Cycle

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

What region are you based in?

I'd probably learn towards healthcare, anecdotally the larger funds (pods) are hiring less out of ER. Healthcare is still sufficiently specialised in some areas that ER will be in demand, especially if scientific background

 

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