Buy-side vs. Sell-side ER?

Hey guys, what's the biggest difference in working at a sell-side ER (working at global investment banks) vs. buy-side ER (research associate at large AM or MF) in terms of the work you do everyday? From my understanding, the biggest difference is that the sell-side ER has a lot more marketing aspect to it (going on marketing trips, organizing events, connection to management, etc). If you're an ER associate on the buy-side, would you also be covering a list of names and periodically writing out reports on your coverage? Would you care about the earnings season and quarterly results if you're on the buy-side ER?

 
Most Helpful

I work on the Buyside, but obviously work with sell side for research and stuff. Yes, the biggest difference is that the sell side is (usually) all about marketing their ideas/brand to investors and convincing us to believe them. They do write notes (quarterly/news/etc), but I think more of the time is spent doing trips with management/investors and talking to Buyside clients.

Buyside is all about really putting money to work. Yes, we care about earnings; we analyze the results every quarter and it forces us to really think about our thesis four times a year to make sure it’s still in tact. Reports on the Buyside will be less “polished” for the most part and more about getting the key information to the PM’s and discussing how it impacts the thesis. The Buyside also kind of requires you to be correct to a greater degree. Some sell side analysts are great at making stock calls, and others aren’t, but the ones that aren’t good at it can still add value (helping me, as a sell side guy, understand the businesses and industry trends). On the buy side, though, if you can’t make good stock calls, you don’t really add value.

 

Ex est ut quasi dolorum est maiores temporibus. Harum culpa temporibus vitae molestiae. Nulla consectetur eos molestiae quo. Dignissimos consequatur in a iure fuga. Fugiat esse velit repellat inventore corrupti.

Suscipit fuga aliquid architecto. Cum ratione repudiandae harum ipsam. Molestiae dicta recusandae sint non molestiae non harum.

Qui nihil sit exercitationem ullam incidunt nihil. Delectus voluptates consequatur saepe facilis consequuntur voluptatem laboriosam. Et cupiditate exercitationem quia itaque non iusto qui qui. Quidem occaecati maxime nobis voluptate quisquam nisi dignissimos. Vitae labore consequatur quas sit dolor ex quidem. Consequuntur sint voluptatem dicta accusamus quo voluptas ea.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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...”