Raymond James vs. Sagent Advisors

Do you actually have an offer from both shops?

If you do then it's a no brainer. Avoid RJ.

I thought RJ was just a place to hang your license for a quasi-independent RIA?

dude sagent

yeah, can you guys elaborate on why Sagent? Raymond James seems like the only full service investment bank actually looking to grow right now, especially with the Morgan Keegan acquisition.

Raymond James for sure...but I hope you have offers before you are asking these questions

Sagent, which I believe was started by ex CS guys if I'm not mistaken.

sagent is pure advisory, they have better deal flow. For me if you are interested in M&A, pure advisory > full-service IB

theparadoxInterested in people's thoughts on these two firms. Who would you go with if you had a choice between their tech M&A groups (SF)?

I would absolutely go with RJ. Sagent's tech team has miserable deal flow... they haven't closed a real deal in a while.

I think they just fired half of their tech team too.

a nice variety of responses here

Run, don't walk to Sagent. Much more upside for interesting deals, exit ops. RJ is the Toyota Camry of banks.

Yeah, opinion seems really split so far. I hope more people can chime in.

Got an offer from sagent for SA. Didn't go with them but was impressed with what I heard. They do much bigger and more sophisticated deals than rj. Go with them.

depending on what you would like to do. I am more familiar with sagent after going against them on a couple pitches. sagent i heard did take out half of the tech team so i doubt you have the "choice" in their tech M&A since all their analysts are generalists now. their main IDM guy left to HW sf so their tech practice now is non-existent.

That being said, sagent is still a bigger name compared to RJ and you will get recruited by a handful of buyside shops.

dude, Sagent. How is this even a question?

Hey guys, worry to resurrect this post, but does anyone have an update on Sagent exit opps? I have an offer and really like them but would like some input on what type of buyside shops look at Sagent analysts. Thanks.