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.

 
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!

 

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