Equity Research or Asset Management

Hey guys,

Was just curious if anybody any insight on what they thought was a better opportunity between equity research and asset management? I know these are two completely different paths and would love to just hear some insight and pros/cons of each for what everyone thought would be the best opportunity to start your career at. Thanks!

 

Havent worked on the ER side but Id imagine its not that different. Sure youre not making investment decisions but you are analyzing companies/industries.

 
Most Helpful

They're not really completely different. You could definitely go from one to the other.

There's no best opportunity, it's really about what you prefer.

The job in ER is really about being an encyclopedia on your coverage. As you get more senior, you start to communicate that knowledge more by talking to clients (institutions). Broadly you give buy sell or hold ratings to companies but this isn't really your main value add. The value add is attempting to provide either information or a differentiated viewpoint of an industry and/or company normally with a 1-18 month view (often on the shorter end).

The job in AM is to identify suitable investments for your company's mandate. Most firms in traditional AM are longer-term oriented. It's a pretty simple remit but obviously not a simple job.

The main differences I would say is:

* Way more writing in ER.

*In AM you don't have to focus on companies that are boring (i.e. not potentially good investments). In ER, you have to maintain coverage, regardless of if the company is doing anything interesting or not (or is a good investment or not).

*ER can often be more client-facing, especially as you get more senior. Client calls become a large part of your job.

*AM tends to be longer-term, if we're talking traditional long-only.

*Upside is higher in AM. A PM at a good long-only will outearn an MD in most sectors in ER. Even a research associate at a place like capital group will probably out-earn the equivalent rank in ER.

 

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