How important is access to confidential information when investing?

Warren Buffet seems to decide which company to buy just by reading annual reports, i.e. public information. Similarly, Hedge Funds invest in public companies by going through publicly available information:annual reports, company/industry research,etc. Why can't PE firms do the same - acquire companies without access to confidential information, just by using publicly available daya? Why is this information confidential in the first place and not made public by all companies-there won't be any insider trading if all companies make everything public. So if some firms/individuals can make investments just by using public info why can't the others do the same?

 
SpiderMonkeyOhYes:
The answer is..

because they don't have to.

ok, but the main point of my questions is how useful is access to confidential information if other players in the market can invest based on just public info. what's the catch?

 

Voluptatem eos aliquam quasi ab possimus tempore repellendus. Qui asperiores voluptates ratione veritatis. Et quo sit aut hic quia.

Autem ut sed aut iste voluptatibus voluptates odio. Exercitationem a veritatis minima magnam est. Consectetur ratione molestias est. Recusandae quia voluptatibus quas in nemo.

Animi expedita officiis aut nobis amet esse ea sed. Magni distinctio in qui ea enim et illum. Sunt velit recusandae mollitia alias nisi vel. Necessitatibus facere nihil dolorum dolorem optio distinctio facilis.

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 (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.8
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...”