Best groups to get into PE or Hedge Funds
What are the best IB groups to launch a career at a Private Equity firm or at a Hedge Fund?
I have heard that M&A and Lev Fin tend to be traditional feeders into those types of firms.
This is all assuming we are talking about a bulge bracket bank.
take a look at some PE/HF sites and you'll get an idea.
for PE, usually M&A and coverage groups that give industry experience; places like bain cap take consultants and those with non-finance industy experience as well
for HFs, they're much more quantitative, so trading. sometimes M&A, too, I think, but mostly trading
From what I have noticed, the PRODUCT GROUPS (M&A, LevFin, DCM, ECM, etc) are the easiest. Unless you particularly care about an industry, join a product group.
uh, i'm not so sure dcm or ecm are really the best route into pe/hf
For P/E, in general, your best bets are with M&A and Lev Fin. Next comes Financial Sponsors (for the contacts), especially if your bank's FSG is hands on and doesn't pass on the modeling and stuff immediately to lev fin or M&A. Besides that, industry groups would provide you with a solid path to P/E, but only for a single industry and it would be very helpful if the industry group does a lot of it's own modeling. For most industry groups pitching is the primary responsibility, and pitching won't be all that impressive the P/E shops. If the industry groups mainly pitch at bank X, you will really want to get into Lev Fin or M&A.
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HF - Lev Fin/Restructuring for Distressed Debt Funds and M&A for Merger Arb funds. Industry groups for industry-focused funds.
PE - Lev Fin, Financial Sponsors, M&A all have obvious merits. As far as industry groups go, Industrials tends to have solid placement as manufacturing companies tend to be the best buyout targets (they can take on the most debt due to steady cashflow and fixed assets). Other than that, I would say that it pays to simply go to the industry group within each bank with the most cachet and dealflow.
Best Products/Coverage Group for Megafunds? (Originally Posted: 09/21/2013)
I am trying to decide which group to join (will be working at a BAML/Barcap/CS) in order to best position myself to hopefully get a spot at a megafund or top MM shop.
What do you guys think about LevFin vs Sponsors? Or compared to a coverage group like consumer/retail, energy/natural resources? Healthcare?
Thanks in advance.
Doesn't it really depend on the specific firm you're with? Also it might be more beneficial to pick the group you get along with most. You will be spending most of your time with them anyway.
Right, I know different banks have different top groups but I was more curious about LevFin vs coverage groups.
Also wondering if groups like Tech and Healthcare get any access to top PE recruiting as they don't do a lot of LBOs...does that put me at a disadvantage?
super bank dependent. for example, BAML is very strong on the debt side, given their BS. CS and Barcap probably weaker for Lev Fin.
Lev Fin vs. Sponsors varies bank to bank as well in terms of who does the modeling (I think for CS and BAML most modeling is done in Sponsors and Lev Fin is mostly pricing/terms). CS FSG is a top group on the street and I know BAML FSG places pretty well historically too.
And depending on if the group itself is strong, BB Tech or HC will definitely get you some PE attention, although megafunds or top MM PE would probably be tough out of a mid-tier BB coverage group... BAML tech is fairly weak from my understanding, although I'm speaking more about Media than general TMT.
LevFin is the stronger choice IMO
^ Ha, yeah... B/C Barclays and CS don't put balance sheet to work...
How much financing did Barclays put up in the Kinder Morgan trade a couple years ago? Somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 yards I think (28ish if memory serves, but don't quote me on that, it's been a couple years since that deal was done.)
Barclays is a major player in many fixed income products on the primary/banking side, which means they're likely throwing around major balance sheet firepower. CS less so given their big cull in FICC stuff a couple years ago, but come on, any BB can bring major weight to bear if they want to.
I mean... It's pretty fucking retarded to say BCS is weak in debt seeing as they top the league tables in many areas. Lehman was a debt shop and pre-Lehman Barclays was a debt shop. Together they're a super debt shop. True that they're mediocre in HY, but lets be honest that's not the only way to finance a buyout.
Anyways, it depends on the bank. The megafunds have their target groups/relationships and they also have their soecific needs. If they need a guy on the financing side, they're obviously going to be more likely to hire out of LevFin groups. If they need someone in a specific industry space, they're going to be more likely to hire out of that coverage group.
Megafunds people in general are people that have been around for a while, so they're not stupid. Many of them came up in banks that don't even exist anymore on a standalone basis (chemical bank would be the classic example) so they're a lot less "snobby" with respect to group/firm than WSO is.
Megafunds are looking for the same thing everyone else is - people that know their shit and can bring something to the table. Wherever you end up just be diligent and eager to learn and opportunities will open up.
Tactically classic PE trades target businesses that throw off stable, leveragable, long term cash flows, so if you want PE, I would think you woul want to work in coverage groups with clients who display that profile ideally.
^thanks for the info
So do you think it's a death sentence (for megafunds / top MM) if I go healthcare or tech?
At the moment I am probably leaning towards sponsors or consumer..
Not at all. It depends what the focus of the fund is. KKR's Menlo group pulls from CS, MS, and GS Tech. As do H&F, Silver Lake, etc. Tech and healthcare-focused funds want people with that industry experience, because the investment thesis is crucial to driving returns. Associates with no knowledge of the tech sector are less than worthless if that's where your fund is investing. But if BX is LBOing a retailer, the structure of the deal is more important, and so that's when your Sponsors/LevFin/M&A guys are valuable.
sponsors seem to do well in recruiting just from what I've seen. Why would healthcare or tech be a death sentence? Most PE funds do one or both.
Best group -> Private equity (Originally Posted: 04/30/2012)
Hey all -- Looking to see what kind of group, whether it be industry or product, would be best fitted to get into private equity.
I'm assuming M&A or leveraged?
Financial Sponsors, M&A and Leveraged Finance. Not necessarily in that order.
You can get in just as easily from an industry group, and in fact the answer is that it is vastly firm dependent. The sponsors group at a specific bank might suck but it's Consumer group is phenomenal. Or the M&A team may be great and the Healthcare group is weak. It really depends, but if you go to a decent firm and you work on some deals it won't matter what group, you will get opportunities to interview with great funds.
It's more transferable skills and deal experience than specific industry group. Unless you go to a firm that specializes specifically in one group, then obviously you'd be better off.
Best Group for B-School and Career Advancement (Originally Posted: 10/21/2011)
What do you think is the best industry or coverage group (firm aside), that positions an analyst best for business school and career advancement?
Thanks!
It depends entirely on if the bank internalizes its product groups within industry coverage. That is to say, if industry analysts do all the modeling in-group or outsources it to an M&A, Restructuring, CapMkts, etc group.
If the bank does NOT internalize its products, then the best groups are almost always the product groups. In this case, I think many would agree that the M&A group takes the cake as most desirable.
If the bank merges coverage and product, then you really can't ask this question "firm aside" as you propose. Each bank is stronger/weaker in different industries and you would generally want to pick whatever group is strongest.
Ok awesome, thanks for the insight Nouveau! I'll be working in a very specialized coverage group; however, the vast majority is sell side M&A. So, I'm pretty excited =)
ECM-How to best position myself for PE? (Originally Posted: 04/22/2014)
Given that ECM does not provide you with the general valuation and modeling exposure that most PE firms look for, what groups do you guys suggest would best position me to either switch into a IBD role (and then transfer into PE), or a role that PE firms might consider for as a candidate? Incoming Analyst in July. I really appreciate the input.
ur doomed
I know. This is why I am asking for advice.
Best group for moving to FI AM and/or debt PE funds? (Originally Posted: 03/28/2011)
I am interested in possibly moving to portfolio management after my two years in Ibanking. Specifically, I would like to focus on fixed income. What groups would best facillitate the switch?
I know Ibanking -> AM is not the most common path, but I want to get the more general banking skill set and keep my options open at this point. I am also considering debt (distressed/HY/Mezz) PE Funds.
I have heard that Financial Strategies Groups can provide transferable skills, but I am guessing the reduction in recognition over more standard groups just isn't worth it. So what should I aim for? Sponsors? FIG? RX? Or even something like M&A?
debt funds generally recruit from lev fin, restructuring, private equity, high yield research, as well as top industry groups from usual suspects in banking (GS, ms).
look at the websites of debt funds that have profiles of junior people to get an idea of typical backgrounds. Most good places dont have websites, like pretty much every hedge fund out there, but there are some exceptions. For example: http://www.aresmgmt.com/CapitalMarkets/CapitalMarketsTeamList.aspx?id=3 http://www.carlyle.com/Team/Fund/item8175.html
http://www.provequity.com/team/capitalmarketsgroup.asp?Employee_Type_ID… (run by former ceo of DB, which explains slight db bias)
SB for those links, frank. I know they're out there but good listing.
Thanks, that is really helpful.
So it looks like Sponsors/LevFin is best for placement?
lev fin
oh yeah
ECM-- Which desk/group to best position myself for PE? (Originally Posted: 04/22/2014)
Given that ECM does not provide you with the general valuation and modeling exposure that most PE firms look for, what groups/desks in ECM do you guys suggest would best position me to either switch into a IBD role (and then transfer into PE), or a role that PE firms might consider for as a candidate? Incoming Analyst in July. I really appreciate the input.
none. you're screwed LOL!
CB team within ECM would generally provide better exposure in terms of modeling but still not ideal for buyside comparing to M&A and sector guys. Some CB guys I know did break in HF (CB mandate) rather PE.
I have heard that about the CB team. I would not mind spending an extra year or two doing IB if I can lateral and then hopefully transfer into PE. I do have an MSF as well.
Agree, special equities (converts, PIKs, preferreds) is the way to go. A lot of that freaky shit gets issued in connection with M&A deals and we usually bring on the ECM team fairly early in the process. You won't be running the model but you'll probably have access to it.
I know a few guys who did one or two years on that desk before moving to banking.
Honestly should be an easy move to do a 3rd year in IB and will open up a ton more doors- probably the best route to PE or surest at least
Thought so
Best IBD Groups to get into PE...have things changed? (Originally Posted: 07/24/2009)
In the past, M&A/Lev Fin & Financial Sponsors were generally considered to be the best way to get into PE. Is this still considered to be the case? While M&A seems to be coming back, it seems like Lev Fin/Financial Sponsors is largely inactive. I'm sure there are still deals in Lev Fin/Financial Sponsors, but clearly not as many as a few years ago. I realize the main draw with these groups is the modeling experience in comparison to industry groups. What I'm curious to understand is that, even with a slow in deal flow, would these groups still be considered the best to join if PE is something you'd like to do in the future? Essentially, even with less work, would the modeling experience be more worthwhile, or would someone be better off joining a busy industry group?
I'd appreciate any thoughts on the matter...
Bump... anybody have thoughts on this?
The modeling experience is definitely a sizable part of the attraction to those groups exhibited by P/E firms, and even with slowing deal flow, there will still be a good amount of modeling, or at least more so than in most industry groups (outside of those that do all of their own modeling). That said, it isn't just about the modeling, it is also about the contacts you will make and the perceived value of the group as a skill set in general. P/E shops see lev fin and M&A above all else as their feeder groups since that is how they view their job. Sponsors and the industry group that they serve follow, since those groups are still in line with their function/industry beyond just being P/E (for example, a renewable energy focused P/E shop would look to E&P or Project Finance).
While deal flow has definitely slowed down, it has also slowed down for the P/E shops - as lev fin comes back, so too will P/E shops, and, possibly, so too will hiring, if this all unfolds accordingly. If you are interested in breaking into P/E - look to M&A, then Lev Fin (although depending on the bank's rep for the groups, they may be reversed), then Sponsors and then coverage.
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M&A, Lev Fin, and Sponsors are and will probably always be the best groups to be in.
M&A / Lev fin b/c of the modeling component and Sponsors (if the bank has a good group) because of its relationships. A lot of times, sponsors go straight to their RM's at banks to ask for applicants to recommend.
Obviously GS is the exception b/c there is no M&A group.
GS Industry Group > Most other options
M&A, Lev Fin, and Sponsors are and will probably always be the best groups to be in.
M&A / Lev fin b/c of the modeling component and Sponsors (if the bank has a good group) because of its relationships. A lot of times, sponsors go straight to their RM's at banks to ask for applicants to recommend.
Obviously GS is the exception b/c there is no M&A group.
GS Industry Group > Most other options
To follow up on this, how does the ranking of the "best" groups for PE change when a bank doesn't have an M&A group? I know GS doesn't have one and some other BBs don't as well....
Is Investment Banking pretty much the only way to get into PE? (Originally Posted: 08/06/2011)
So I'm very interested in the markets and I just find Wall Street in general very interesting... I've been hearing about this stuff on the news since I can remember so I guess now that I can understand it, it makes it even that more interesting. I've been thinking about trying Investment Banking but I don't know if I would be able to handle that while also being a good father to my son (he'll be 6 by the time I would be looking for a FT), so I've been leaning more towards S&T (slightly less hours, also find it very interesting, and I can go to school for something quantitative (CS), which I would like to develop more, and still use it when I get out) and equity research. Obviously where everybody wants to end up is the buyside... in IB it's hedge funds or private equity firms, while in S&T it's pretty much only hedge funds. Based on my limited knowledge of what both of these buyside options do, I feel that pe would be more interesting to me... Is there any other way to get into pe besides for just banking? Or should I just deal with the fact that if I go s&t (or any other route for that matter), I'll have very slim chances of ever getting into pe? I'm thinking I would be screwed, but I'd like to get some more input.
I'm thinking about sucking it up and still trying to go for IB... the stability compared to s&t would be nice (even though I'm not too worried about it w/ s&t), but the houurrrss... I like having a social life and developing my hobbies/passions.
I'm a very confused student right now, I've been contemplating even trying to stick with academia and just learning shit for forever. So I'm honestly not looking into Wall Street just for the money ($100k a year where I live would be enough to make me happy, I just really find this stuff interesting)... any advice will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Yea yea you find it so interesting that you really don't care about the money....bull crap
To your question, IB is the fastest way to get to PE. However, later in your career if you have valuable experience and expertise whether you are in accounting, consulting, venture, or corporate you can get in.
I said I'm not in it JUST for the money... I care about the money very much actually (I
If you want to do PE start in banking. I'm sure there are people who work in PE from all kinds of crazy backgrounds, but they are really the exception rather than the rule. S&T just doesn't develop the skill set PE is looking for.
Banking is the norm - I didnt do it and whilst I am now in PE there will always be a 'gap' on my cv (I worked in buyside AM rather than IBD) - I will never regret missing out on the two years of hell though!!!
Most people who end up in PE have some sort of IB experience. That being said, there ARE others who have a different background - other VC/PE funds, Asset Management, consulting, law, real estate (if you want to do real estate PE), accounting/auditing, etc.
There's a MBB guy at my firm, but yes for the most part banking is how you get in at the junior/midlevels.
However, there's some more leeway at the higher-levels (VP to MD levels). You might see ex-CEOs, corp dev guys, serial entrepreneurs, and even HF guys move into PE.
If you truly want to go into PE, you should suck it up and do the 2 years in banking. It's actually not a bad experience, but you will sacrifice time with your family. From what i've seen, it is extremely difficult to get into PE without banking experience. Also, going into S&T is not something that will help as the experience you gain is irrelevant to what you will do in most PE. In fact, personally, i would value a resume with big 4 accounting or transaction advisory experience over S&T experience.
Before you decide anything, it seems to me like you need to do some research, reach out to people in your network to hear about their experiences and what each of those jobs actually entail, and then spend some time really thinking about what you want to do. Like you said in your post, you seem very confused and uncertain as to what you want to do with your future. Whether it's academia, finance or something else, you should choose something, stick with it and have well thought out, concrete reasons why you' are pursuing that particular path. There's nothing recruiters hate more than wishy washy guys who don't seem to be sure of what they want.
Gluck!
Best MM IBD Division for Hedge Fund (Originally Posted: 05/04/2010)
I have a friend who is going intern at MM IBD this summer. The bank is pretty big solid MM.
He wants to know which division is the best in terms of giving him more exit opps to hedge fund in the future. Please rank them from best to worst.
His choices are 1. Energy Banking (Industry group) 2. ECM 3. DCM 4. Equity research 5. Lev Fin 6. M&A
Thank you guys
Depends on the bank, but typically M&A and LevFin are best. Good luck to "your friend" lol.
.......
it depends. ECM might be good since you'll be covering derivatives, and you’ll get a chance to close hedging trades, and work with traders to see if a convertible could be done in the current market climate. plus, from what I heard, ECM bankers typically work 12 hour days...
M&A and LevFin might be more attractive to PE...
that is how i've always understood it also, bcbunker1.
imo ECM/DCM is the best fit
as discussed many times before in this ´forum it depends on what type of hedge fund. I would go for ER (if ur only concern in HF) but whos aking me...
if its Jefferies do healthcare
I agree that ER is your best bet for HF. Second would prolly be a coverage/industry group in IBD (industrials if you can get it...energy has nontraditional modeling). ECM/DCM is not where u wanna be unless you want to stay there.
Since this is a MM IB, then this is what I suggest. My answer would be different if this was a BB job by the way.
If you want to go to a long/short fund, then go into ER for 2-3 years and become an "expert" in your sector. Generally, you're exposed to clients (HFs, MFs, etc..) once you become comfortable talking about the industry/companies you cover. If ER isn't an option, then my number 2 choice would be M&A. Third choice would be a coverage group.
If you wanted to do a distressed HF, then Lev Fin is probably your best option. ECM/DCM is probably the last place you want to be if you want to move to the buyside in my opinion. DCM>ECM though, especially for the distressed HF.
Hope that helps.
Best Groups in all banks (Originally Posted: 09/09/2006)
People, as of late, have been wondering what the best groups are in any one bank. Here is the master list, feel free to edit accordingly. Also, the banks are ordered as I define their prestige as a whole bank, not just the groups.
Goldman: Tech,Media,Telecom, Financial Inst.,Consumer Morgan: M&A, Sponsors, Real Estate Merill: Not sure JPM: M&A, Sponsors, Industrials *Lehman (Tie): Energy, Media, Retail *Citi (Tie): M&A, Consumer, Financials *UBS (Tie): LA, Health, M&A, Sponsors *Credit Suisse (Tie): Sponsors, LA, Tech, Leveraged *DB (tie): Not Sure *Barclays (Tie): Not sure *Lazard (Tie): only advisory, but w/in that: M&A *Bear (Tie): Not sure
aren't you a junior in college? how did you come up with that list?
Merrill isnt as highly regarded. JPM's Lev. Fin and CHR group are very strong. DB's Lev. Fin and RE group is strong. I would say Lehman is better than UBS, CS (tie), which is stronger than DB and Barclay's. Lazard is totally different.
Dan... how the fuck would you know? Don't you have classes tomorrow?
as noted above, JPM's Lev Fin is good, not sponsors
Lazard's restructuring group is also very good
isn't Lazard the exclusive bank for msft and apple?
Best LevFin is GS, Citi, DB and CS, in no particular order.
Sponsors and levfin are sort of joined at the hip. A sponsors team always prefers to have a strong levfin capability because financing is almost the number one consideration in doing a deal with one bank versus another.
? Not to question you but I'm curious as to where you are getting your information on GS? Their debt house is par for the course, at best.
The best LevFin groups on the street are JPMorgan, Citigroup, DB, BofA, CS.
are CS,UBS,GS, JPM in no particular order although CS is said to be the strongest by many people. Buyside is correct that although separate groups, they both work together a lot. Therefore, working at bank that has best of both worlds is ideal. Again, CS, GS, and JPM dominate in these areas.
CS is very strong in Sponsors. I believe the sponsors group is within the Leveraged Finance umbrella, and they handle most of the modeling and execution. 100% placement in sponsor groups in all offices, NY or LA.
Sponsors group (50 bankers or so) is definitely separate from the Lev Fin(~25 bankers). Sponsors does most of the modeling while Lev. Fin does all the debt structuring and execution of the deal. Agree about 100% placement in LA and NY.
http://www.loanpricing.com/analytics/league_table_us.htm
League table would support your case. But how do you define "best group"? Volume? GS brings a deal, it gets done and usually the right way the first time. Others high on the list cannot always say that. GS won't be on the left for the monster deals, but what they are able to handle, they do very well. And their sponsors groups typically bring good deals, so they sell themselves.
Sure, but you can make that argument for any number of banks that are good at what they do but fall outside of the bucket, whether due to size or volume or (insert criteria here). e.g. Lazard and Rothschild have top notch M&A practices...but you couldn't compare them apples to apples with a MS or GS because of the scale.
Barclays also has a top notch debt house - by volume - but they are strangely absent from the left (or even the right) on most of the monster LBOs that have taken place in the past year or so.
I'm sure we're both right - certainly the GS debt practice is good in its own right, but I feel that whatever quality exists in this particular instance cannot make up for the large chasm of deal flow.
Naturally, opinions may differ here, but that's my take on it.
Barclays is more active in the investment grade market. I was referring to the non-investment grade market. Following is a 2005 league table of high-yield issuance which includes global US dollar denomited HY bonds and US syndicated leveraged loans. The loan market is 6-7x the HY bond market in these numbers.
JP 140B BofA 113 Citi 82 DB 50 CS 35 Lehm 30 Wach* 28 GS 28 ML 18 UBS 15 MS 13 GE 9 Wels 8 Bear 6 Barc 4
Bunch of banks left out in the 5-8B range. Put Barc for illustation.
*Bond total not included, likely minimal.
In terms of volume GS is 2nd tier, but certainly not a bit player. As an analyst in a lev fin group, overall deal flow isn't a big consideration. What is the difference between 100 analysts working on 100B and 10 working on 10B? Once a certain threshold is met in terms of volume, quality becomes the number one determinant of where to work.
who cares if they have big BS
importance of group for incoming 1st year analysts (Originally Posted: 07/09/2007)
As a lot of the incoming 1st years prepare to begin banking (IBD), it seems that the group you're placed in can have a huge effect on your subsequent career path. You might fall into a group you love and become a lifer or enter a group you hate and eventually drop out and go to bschool or do something completely different. Is my preconception wrong, or is it not that big of a deal? It seems to me that covering industrials and focusing on hybrid securities are two completely different things, and considering how little recent college grads know, making a choice between the two at this stage is almost like rolling the dice.
yes your group is hands down the biggest driver of your experience. and yes it is also a bit of a crapshoot. c'est la vie.
Best group(s) to go into for prospect of staring own PE fund (Originally Posted: 04/26/2007)
What are the best groups to be in if you seek raise a PE fund one day?
seek to raise
I think you are getting about ten to fifteen+ years ahead of yourself.
I know. im just curious.
FSLF would be the best
If you're talking about which ib groups, I couldn't imagine it would be any different from the groups you'd go into to get to pe in the first place. Add that to the fact that you probably wouldn't raise money for a pe fund unless you've been in pe for a while, then the groups to initially go into are again the top groups.
a friend of mine went into FSG at lehman and 2 years out of college he raised a $500 million pe fund with one of his fellow former analysts, which i know isnt that big but it can be done.
500 mill for someone out of an analyst program is a ton of money to be managing...
What a stupid fucking question.
if you dont appreciate the question dont answer it. the mod here needs to start banning. you people are just ridiculous. you probably realize you will never get into IB so your unleasing your frusturation on others.
Best groups at JPM and MS for the PE exit in the future? (Originally Posted: 10/30/2010)
Hi,
I wonder what would be the best groups to start as an Analyst in JPM and MS for the career in PE after a couple of years.
Right now I am thinking this way: JPM: 1. Leveraged Finance 2. M&A 3. Financial Sponsors 4. Energy
Morgan Stanley 1. M&A 2. Financial Sponsors
What bank is better if let say I have a choice to go to the top group at MS and JPM? What is the second best choice? Any thoughts about that?
Would you use an opportunity to join Morgan Stanley Venture Partners in the beginning of you career?
Also, what about Diversified Industries at JPM? Worth looking at?
Thanks
bump
bump
You'll do fine in any one of those groups. Perhaps you should get the offer first.
Best Position for Hedge Fund (Originally Posted: 11/05/2010)
Hey guys,
Just wanted your opinion on something. What would be the best option if one is looking to join a fundamental long-term fund? Not necessarily long/short but maybe distressed, special situations..etc as well?
Option 1) Global investment research at a top bank (GS/MS/JPM) - know it's great for l/s equities but maybe not the best option for other funds
Option 2) IBD at a solid BB (Citi/Barcap)- great exit ops overall + p/e. longest hours are brutal
Option 3) prop trading / principal investing group at a second tier player (SocGen / Macquarie) - probably the most interesting as you actually get to invest long-term and learn about various industries immediately. let's assume for the moment that the bank does not seem to be getting rid of prop desks
I'm thinking either 2 or 3? Thoughts?
2
i would say 3, just because its prop investing and will be easier to transition to buy side with investing experience
ibd groups for pe exit opps (Originally Posted: 01/11/2014)
.
Energy, FIG, Real Estate, etc. aren't necessarily worse, they just are more specialized and the exits are more focused to those industries. However, I know several people who have gone to MF from Energy and FIG. Not the black hole it's made out to be at all.
Energy is ok, RE and FIG are more specialized.
A lot of it depends on your focus within each industry as well. Within energy, OFS guys have an easier time transitioning to generalist PE roles. Likewise, people working in more traditional, EBITDA-driven areas of real estate won't be as pigeon-holed as others. If you aren't completely sold on a career within your particular coverage group, then try to find the most "normal" practice areas
I don't work at a BB, but from what people have said, your assumption may be incorrect. Generally FIG groups do not place well into PE, but top FIG shops (i.e. GS FIG, MS isn't too shabby either) are an exception from what I have heard. Modeling is quite intensive in FIG so the thought is that FIG analysts are in the upper echelon when it comes to modeling.
IMO, FIG models are much more difficult so if you can grasp those, you should be able to model most standard industries.
This topic has been covered ad nauseam.
Stepping Stones to Private Equity (Originally Posted: 10/24/2009)
Are jobs in i-banking the only stepping stones to PE careers? Or are there other places where one can get useful experience for a career in PE? In case it matters, I'm not talking about working for the most prestigious PE firms, but rather what does it take to get a job at a smaller regional PE firm?
other career paths to PE
strategy/financial/restructuring consulting.
relevant industry experience (usually at the senior level). most industry professionals are able to join as MD's, operating partners, etc. usually because they find a deal and work with the PE fund to close it.
In regards to relevant industry experience, are you talking corporate finance experience, or management experience (or both/neither)?
There are PE/VC guys that have extensive educational backgrounds in certain industries. For example, many PE/VC guys that focus on biotech/healthcare have Ph.D's in bio, chem, etc. In my experience this is more common in the VC world, but still has applications in PE.
Which banking group to give myself best shot at hedge fund (Originally Posted: 04/10/2014)
Hey guys,
Can you share your thoughts on what area of banking (M&A, Sector coverage, etc) I should aim to get an associate position in after my MBA so I can have the best possible shot at getting into a hedge fund after 2-3 years? Let's just assume that banking associate to hedge fund is a feasible route (which may or may not be, but that's a separate question). Thanks!
What's your background? Why do you need to go to banking first? What strategies/verticals are you interested in?
You have to be more specific with what you're trying to achieve, especially when you're already at the MBA level.
Yeah, I do not think the post MBA banking stint to HFs is a well trodden route. If you must work for a bank I'd say go do equity research somewhere, but even this will set you up for years of heartache before you can make the switch. Why can't you recruit for AM/HF now?
Stop making new threads, your train has passed. You've been told before that this transition is not common, so try to pave your own way.
Where are you Getting your MBA?
Here is some info on my background: I'm starting my MBA at a finance school (HSW), been doing investment consulting at a reputable place for three years now, and have CFA. My undergrad was engineering at a top 10 engineering school.
Ideally I'd like to jump to HF right after business school, but for the strategies I am interested in (long short equities, or distressed opportunistic) they require either banking experience or some sort of experience where you are exposed to company or security valuation. I don't have that, hence my plan to do i banking for 2-3 years and learn this stuff. I can learn this stuff on my own but not sure hedge funds would take a chance on someone with no prior professional experience on that type of work.
Welcome your thoughts...
You have the CFA -- they're not going to be concerned about your valuation skillz. I am being completely honest when I say I think you will significantly impair your chances at an IM role if you go into banking first. I was in your same boat heading into b-school. Had an econ consulting background and a CFA and wanted to do IM after school but initially thought I would have to work in banking for two years first. After about 3 weeks of the first quarter I finally got some sense knocked into me and decided to commit 100% for IM recruiting. Best decision I made. You will be fine - cast a wide net, don't be attached to any particular geography, work hard on your stock pitches... you'll get a job. It may not be Citadel initially, but you'll find something that gives you the exact skillset in the exact industry you want without having to slave away for 80hrs a week doing some b/s you hate. My guess is you're heading to Wharton -- great place to recruit for IM. Don't waste that opportunity talking to banks.
@"jankynoname" awesome advice. Thanks.
Hey Jackie - I attempted to send you a private message, but wasn't allowed to do so because I don't have any "monkey points." I am pretty much in the exact same boat as you, and I think it might be beneficial to both of us to speak over the phone at some point. I've been working at an NYC-based fund of funds (basically the same work as inv. consulting) since I graduated from a top 20 liberal arts school 3.5 years ago (econ major), and am heading to a top 5 B-school this fall. Taking CFA level 2 in June. I'm looking to move to a L/S equity fund, and have spent a huge amount of time researching the potential paths (which is how I came upon this thread). I had the same initial thoughts as you - to either do 2 years of banking or sell-side research at a big bank and then move to a fund, or else just try to go straight to a fund. I've spoken with a number of older people about this, but nobody my age who's in the same situation. Could be helpful to share thoughts with one another - send me a message if you're interested.
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@"jackiejackiejackie" - please see my post above if you haven't already. Just realized you could put an @ sign in front of a username (which hopefully sends you an alert that I posted). And apologies to everyone else for improperly using this forum...
@"football51188" Just PMed you. Let's get in touch.
Which group would better place into a HF? (Originally Posted: 08/07/2010)
Hey Guys -
I'm a first year at a BB and although the thoughts of PE sound interesting, I'm much more intrigued by the fact of working at a HF after my analyst stint. With that said, which group do you think would place better into a HF? I have the options of going to either one below:
1) Coverage Group that is regarded as the best on the street, and defiantly the most profitable and well regarded within the bank.
2) Product Group (LevFin) that is pretty well regarded on the street (within top 8) and has seen some good deal flow recently.
If ultimately my goal was to go to a HF, which do you choose? I know Lev Fin has placed previous classes into the top mezz shops and HF at my bank and traditionally the coverage group has sent many kids to either PE or Corporate Development. Which do you think would make for the easiest transition to a HF?
Any thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
goldman?
No. The firm is irrelevant I'm just stating the facts and am looking to hear peoples opinions...Thks.
depends on what kind of fund you want to go to, and what role you'd be hired for.. there are so many different types of hedge funds its tough to generalize exit ops from i-banks to HFs.. for example, if you want to work in a distressed debt hedge fund, lev fin is obviously gonna give you better opportunities for that than healthcare or FIG would
Thanks. That is true, and although a Distressed Debt HF sounds awesome, I'm not really sure what type of fund I want to go to. Seems like for someone pretty indecisive, that going with the coverage group would be the best option and keep many doors open (not just HF).
Agree? Sorry for the back and forth but for me its really tough to decide which group would be the best fit for me and where I'd be the most satisfied. Any comments along these ends would be greatly appreciated.
I don't understand.. if you KNOW that history clearly indicates that your bank's Lev Fin guys go to HFs and Coverage guys go to PE shops, and you know you want to go the HF route....isn't it patently obvious you should join the Lev Fin group?
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