How to become an Equity Research Analyst

Equity research examines a company's financial performance and anticipates both the purchasing and selling characteristics of the firm's assets in the stock market. It is a comprehensive approach to examining a business's assets and liabilities that entices investors to engage in the business. Equity research analysts write reports, do equity research, evaluate financial data, and make financial projections. Analysts of equity research must be very analytical and rigorous. Research analysts work in the finance industry full time. Equity research analysts may also require to work overtime or on weekends. Equity research analysts' job is drafting many reports and presentation of reports; Equity research analysts must acquire strong communication.

The roles and responsibilities of equity research analyst includes:

• To do analysis of past results,
• To perform variance analysis
• To identify trends and make recommendations for improvements
• To provide analysis of trends and  recommend actions for optimization
• To identify and drive process improvements, like the creation of standard and ad-hoc reports
• To  use excel functions to analyze and organize data
• To create graphs, charts and presentations for leadership teams
• To develop recommendations to improve business operations

To become an Equity Research Analyst, the aspirants must need to develop specific skills like performing and carrying the duties effectively, strong networking skills for relationship management within the industry of specialisation, critical thinking skills and strong analytical skills for efficient interpretation of related investment data, good oral, written, and verbal communication skills,  and a good understanding of the capital market, financial statements, and valuation concepts. In addition, equity Research Analysts must be able to train younger analysts, exhibit multi-tasking talents, and be adaptable to rotating shift schedules.

The compensation for the equity researchers is good. Equity research analyst start package is INR 3.5 lacs per annum in small brokerage firms to INR 20.0 lacs per annum in the foreign banks.

To enroll into a Bachelor's Program in Equity Research Analyst, it is essential for the aspiring candidate to clear entrance exams conducted by various educational institutes. Most widely conducted entrance exams are CAT/MAT/XAT/IIFT/MICAT/SNAP/NMAT/CMAT/MAH-CET/GMAT/IBSAT/ATMA.

• Industries and Commerce
• MNCs and Private Industry
• Financial Accounting Service
• Security Firms