Equity Analyst Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How to prepare for an equity analyst role? I am working as a financial accountant in an investment bank. I may have the oppurtunaity to begin working as an equity analyst towards the end of the year (in 6 mths). What preparation could I do in the meantime to assist me in this type of role? Note- I am enrolled in CFA Level 1 and will be sitting this in December 08. Thanks alot

Answer: Studying for the CFA is probably your best choice, as it covers the basics and more advanced levels of knowledge that you will need. Other than that, just be sure that you begin to look deeply at the fundamentals of stocks that you follow, and drill down your level of understanding to specific drivers. An equity analyst needs to be able to look at Walmart, for example, and figure out how much revenue / profit each store makes, how many stores there are, how many new ones will open, what the overhead costs are, and use all that to model out a realistic future for the company.

Question: Help me to become a good Equity Analyst? I would like to become a good equity analyst. I am only in my last semester MBA. I would like to watch and analyse a portfolio of FIVE shares from now onwards. Could you please advice me any five good shares from NSE?

Answer: gain some qualification through nse's NCFM CERTIFICATE course which will help to gain entry in leading stock broking house where u can get ur self trained for equity analysis

Question: Can anyone help me to become an Equity Analyst? I am doing my final semester MBA in Finance. I am interested to become an equity analyst. Beofre joining into a firm what all things can I do to prepare myself now itself, so that I am familiar with many things required for an equity analyst.

Answer: In the environment today, the most difficult thing is getting an interview. Considering that you are getting an MBA it probably means that you are getting the required qualifications. One thing that will help with getting an interview is to research positions and gather information about the company. Make sure that this is reflected in your cover letter/phone call. Showing a keen interest in the company that you are applying to will help you get the extra 'push' that you need - it shows initiative and enthusiasm. Don't be satisfied with passing your resume/CV on to the hiring department, see if you can get in direct contact with a hiring manager.

Question: How much will I make as an entry-level equity research analyst at Merrill Lynch? I'm a junior in college right now and I just got an internship as a summer equity research analyst. I will be getting paid $13,000 for a 10 week internship program. If I get the full time offer when I graduate, how much will my salary + bonus be?

Answer: a financial analyst 1-4 years in the business makes an average of 50,775/yr.a personal financial advisor makes an average of 41k annually.

Question: What degrees do I need to become a Private Equity Research Analyst? I'm interested in going to school for business to become a Private Equity Research Analyst, but what exactly does this career entail and what degrees do I need?

Answer: You need an MBA in Finance from a reputable institution. Private Equity Research Analysts basically research and analyze companies on three basic fields 1. When and how to buy back and sell to the shareholders 2. Expansion capacity or start up companies 3. Expand, restructure or enter new markets. These firms are hired by companies to help in all these fields.

Question: How similar is an Equity Research Analyst job to an Investment Banking Analyst job? Regarding the day-to-day work, how similar is the role of an Equity Research Analyst to an IB Analyst? Thanks :)

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Question: Will passing the CFA level 1 help me get an entry level equity analyst position? I have an MBA from a 3rd tier school (University of Florida) and I have my series 7 and 66 from when I was a financial advisor for like 15 minutes right out of college. I've been in the area of operations for about 5 years and want to make the jump into an investment analyst position. Is taking the CFA level one the best route? Please help, I have no idea what steps to take.

Answer: Successful completion of CFA Level I certainly should help to distinguish you from other candidates. Completion of Level I demonstrates at least beginning knowledge of the "Body of Knowledge" which includes economics, quantitative methods, financial reporting and analysis, equity analysis, fixed income, some derivatives and portfolio management. As you may know, the pass rates on levels I and II of the CFA are quite challenging, and successful completion speaks highly of your interest and diligence. Entry level positions in equity research analysis frequently are at the associate level. Expect to be spending a lot of time constructing financial models. Your career plans would be well served by adding some advanced Excel coursework too. Good luck in your deliberations!

Question: How do i begin a career as a equity research analyst? I've graduated with a Bachelor of Business Management with a major in Finance and am currently pursuing the CFA designation. I have been looking through job sites and the classified ads for jobs of such a position but there do not seem to be any. So how does one begin a career as a research analyst?

Answer: Well, the investment management field has been really down because of the stock market crash and the recession, so job postings aren't going to be high right now. I think you need at least to pass Level 1 and 2 of the CFA to be seriously considered for anything too. Many entry-level openings are also in large cities.

Question: what is the average salary for an equity analyst in USA with 6months -2 years experience? Is there any site which does these salary surveys?

Answer: The CFA Institute does a compensation survey every couple of years. To avoid skewing, they do not compute the average, but report the median and the 90th percenitle. The 2005 survey shows that median salary for an investment professional with less than five years of experience is $85,000, with a $15,000 median bonus. The 90th percentile of total compensation for investment professionals with less than five years of experience is $252,500.

Question: Average salary for a junior equity analyst? Im doing CFA Level 1 and would like to know how much I would be able to earn as a buy side associate analyst? I am based in Sydney (Aust) so imagine this will be alittle more than a comprable role in the US. Thanks

Answer: http://www.salary.com/