Conflict of Interest: Writing Seeking Alpha article on same company you will be working for
All,
John Cena back in the ring. I was lucky enough to accept a 2018 IBD summer analyst offer in NY at a mid-tier BB (BAML/Citi/CS). Rough recruiting process and many botched interviews but by the grace of God I was able to land an offer.
“There are moments in life where it gets so hectic that time becomes a blur. Keep calm and never give up.” – John Cena
I’ve been writing Seeking Alpha articles for a few years now (don’t rag on Seeking Alpha in the comments – I know it’s for amateurs). I’m at a liberal arts school (H/Y/P) where they don’t teach finance. I thought writing for Seeking Alpha would force me to learn some industries, companies, simple valuations, etc. Plus they pay me per article and I’ve made a few hundred dollars (not worth the money on hourly basis – moreso for experience).
Question: Am I allowed to publish my own Seeking Alpha articles on the company that I will be working for this summer?
I’m sure no one reads my articles but wanted to make sure the conflict of interest was not big enough to have my summer offer rescinded. My intuition is that I should be allowed to. Ex: MS wealth manager should be allowed to trade shares of MS in his personal account. Shouldn’t be anything wrong if he tells his friends to buy/sell MS shares, perhaps even blogging about it??
However, the official disclosure of every Seeking Alpha article reads: “I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.” What is the definition of business relationship … client of the bank and/or (future) employee?
Of course, people will tell me to write about any other company. But writing research helps me learn more about my company and I also get paid to do it. Side question: is this something analysts at my bank would sh*t on me for if they came across it? (considering publishing under different name).
Again, please limit amount of shade thrown at Seeking Alpha. Thanks for input.
Can’t see me,
JC
Nobody gives a fuck about whether you post on SA or not, regardless if you will be working there.
Also yes if co-workers at your firm find this, they will give you shit about it, especially if you make dumb arguments in your post.
If it's not necessary why do it? Just avoid the headache. There are 287492 other firms/companies you can write about.
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