Rodman & Renshaw - Any opinions?

I was doing a PIB for a biopharm company today and one of the MDs wrote a research report on it...

They've recently been doing a lot of business in China.

Also, they are scumbags.

Thanks ZIRH

2007Grad, Please elaborate. The aspect of reputation is important to me. Reputation meaning ethics (or perception of lack thereof) versus ranking

Please elaborate

I don't really know about this firm, but FYI: I once saw this guy, presumably one of their analysts/associates (as he proudly carried a Rodman & Renshaw duffel bag), commuting from New Jersey to NYC by bus (NJTransit). Oh, and he had a bowl cut hair style. LMAO

They do a lot of PIPEs and RDs for "under the radar" companies, especially in the biotech space. Don't really know what exit opps it would offer (if any), since a) they don't have a reputation for working with "quality" clients and b) there isn't much deep modeling experience involved in doing a PIPE.

88.85M company... i work my firm's healthcare group, so the market cap is really not a very good indicator for size because one day this company can be a money-eating R&D firm, and the nxt day their drug would cure cancer and get FDA approved...

are you saying that bb's always reply to emails after an interview. I have been to many bb interviews and sent follow up emails and no response, not from one of the analysts, mds, or eds... R&R has responded to all my emails and promptly for that matter, maybe its because they were interested in me but they seem to have a good reputation. They are usually referred to as one of the top middle market IB's.

I actually used to work at Rodman, however I do not want to say in what capacity. The company was hit hard during the 2007-2008 economic crisis and they cut over 50 employees. The size of the company is about 120 people right now. They are mostly known for their healthcare and pharma coverage and have big name analysts in those fields. Overall, they are a very solid IB for their size. They have a ton of bright people working there and everyone has a good education background.

Their new focus is China. They invest in companies that are growing and have recurring capital needs. They do most of their finance in PIPE transactions and private placement deals. They have began to hire a little more and I know they company has done much better as of late. Their stock was a great pick to own at the end of last year and shot up to $6.50+. Since then, the company has been criticized for weak management in terms of helping shareholders.

They spend a lot of money on their global investment conferences, as they produce most of the business for the company. They have had very good quarters as of late and are re-designed their offices. They have beautiful new conference rooms and a multimedia room for interviews with the media and presentations.

Other than that, they're nothing special to work for employee wise. No company culture to really speak of and not much employee interaction. Everyone kind of keeps to themselves or their respective group. They don't offer any employee perks that I know of. However, they do pay well. First year analysts make about $60K and the bonuses are very good at all levels of the company. It's also your typical investment banking job. Mostly everyone works about 10 hour days, things don't get going around the office until 9 am and it's normal for people to be there till at least 10 pm.

Not sure where all the negative press came about what people have said. Makes a lot of sense they didn't answer you after an interview. I have no idea how HR really works there, as I got into the company through someone who already works there. They don't even post jobs I don't think.

FYI: if you are talking about good health care boutiques, the usual suspects are Leerink Swann and Cain Brothers. As far as I know, R&R doesn't come anywhere near the two I just mentioned.

lol... needham and co is a better HC shop than R&R too...

Dont work for RR, definitely not THE top MM IB but is one of the better ones out there in the specific space, take a look at recent deals. Lokey and Jaffray often steal talent from RR and vice versa. I retract my statement about one of the top MM IB's because they simply do not have the reputation, but it is a solid firm that does fairly well. SORRY if I offended you VanBurenBoyz.

I appreciate these comments, all these perspectives have been helpful.

Um no this firm is not as reputable as you make it sound.

if you say R&R is a top MM, that is so piper jaffrayish.

this is pretty much the worst firm on the planet. its not an investment bank and all u do is look at pipes? what the hell are u MARIO OR AN INVESTMENT BNAKER? u wont know if u go to R&R.

How did you come into contact with the firm? Did you or someone you know work for them? How are your familiar with them?

Thanks

PS

Did you actually do a search for the "PIPES" tag in order to make that joke? :)

was sent to a a thread from some time ago on this firm:

http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/rodman-renshaw