Buy-side research note

Hi guys/gals,

I am currently working on the sell side in credit and looking to make the move to buy-side equity research post CFA. I plan on using the usual channels to find jobs but was also thinking of sending out my own equity research reports on the sector I cover (TMT) to potential employers. My understanding is that buy-side analysts only produce 3/4 page recommendations to their PM's whereas sell side reports tend to be much longer and more indepth. Could anyone shed some light on how I should structure a buy-side recommendation report or should I just send out sell-side style research?

Thanks.

7 Comments
 
Best Response

It's always a good idea to have one or two stock pitches ready and written up. Doesn't need to be long (they aren't gonna read more than a page or two), but summarizing the key points in your investment thesis. The actual categories you discuss will vary depending on the sector, but something like this would be a good start:

Tables at top of report: Summary metrics / Stock price chart (5 yr or similar) / Target price, mkt cap, multiples (PE, EV/EBITDA), margins

Investment thesis: highlight two or three key bullets that you think will drive the stock. At least one of these should be differentiated (i.e. the sell-side isn't talking about it). Highlight any competitive advantages, and particularly SUSTAINABLE comp adv. that the company has.

Company Overview: Brief (1 para.)

Growth trends - What's driving revenues, margins, etc? Any emerging mkts exposure? Cyclical vs. secular growth?

Risks - only need a couple. Everyone already knows that economic downturn is a risk, highlight unique ones for this company if you can.

Valuation - brief. What multiples are relevant? What's your DCF target price? Upside/downside. It helps if you have a reasonably well formatted model to show them, but they probably won't want to get into a ton of detail.

If you do this out of undergrad, you should do very well. This is really an MBA level template, and I doubt if most funds expect this from research associates. Good luck, and have fun!

 

Eos voluptates maxime fuga illo tenetur a et. Quia nihil repellendus dolor repudiandae aperiam cupiditate laborum. Excepturi molestiae aliquid quam. Quasi voluptatem sed autem enim voluptatem non eaque. Consequuntur quidem unde esse molestiae.

Aut quibusdam est necessitatibus blanditiis aperiam in. Reiciendis recusandae consequatur architecto.

Odio tempore aut excepturi quia porro voluptas delectus. Asperiores quis quisquam rerum. Est natus perspiciatis voluptatem vero. Debitis corporis deserunt rerum deserunt natus laboriosam quaerat. Doloremque cum fuga qui cum perspiciatis. Vel cumque dolorum totam fugit id est qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”