Reader question: Writing resources for equity research analysts?
“What are some good resources to improve my investment writing skills with an emphasis on equity research writing?” This 
question recently arrived in my email in-box.
Here are my suggestions:
- If you’re in New York City, the New York Society of Security Analysts has a course or two for you.
- Wherever you live, check with the local society of the CFA Institute. If they don’t offer a good class, ask them if they’d consider adding one. In Boston, at least, the local society listens to member requests.
- Read The Research Puzzle’s “Communicating ideas” post in his “Letter to a young analyst” series.
- Take a good business writing class. If there are no business writing classes, take any kind of writing class led by a good teacher. Strong writing skills work across disciplines.
- Write. Write a lot. Ask an equity analyst or portfolio manager to critique your work. The more you write, the better you’ll become, especially if you respond to constructive criticism by a knowledgeable reader.
I offer customized writing workshops for corporate clients in investment and wealth. I’m not a research analyst. However, I’m good at analyzing client writing samples and then using them as the basis for training.
Readers, can you suggest any additional resources?
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SUSAN WEINER, CFA
January 10th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Susan Weiner, CFA, Susan Weiner, CFA. Susan Weiner, CFA said: Blogged: Reader question: Writing resources for equity research analysts? http://ht.ly/1aNyNb [...]
January 10th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
I guess the obvious answer is to read other sell-side reports. If you have an account at a large brokerage, most will offer reports from many of the sell-side analysts. I would recommend reading a few of these to get a good idea of some of the things expected out of any specific research report.
January 10th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Chris,
Excellent suggestion!
January 10th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Stephen Horan of the CFA Institute says “I would recommend the following two resources.
1. Best Practices for Equity Research Analysts: Essentials for Buy-Side and Sell-Side Analysts at http://www.cfainstitute.org/learning/products/publications/books/Pages/best_practices_for_equity_research_analysts__essentials_for_buy-side_and_sell-side_analysts.aspx , and
2. Writing Effective Equity Research Reports at http://www.cfainstitute.org/learning/products/events/Pages/02142011_49365.aspx“
January 12th, 2011 at 10:34 am
Also see article in latest issue of CFA Magazine, “The Care and Feeding of Great Analysts” http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/e8b4df2a#/e8b4df2a/12
April 5th, 2011 at 7:02 am
[...] Taking writing classes—If you can’t find business writing classes, take any kind of writing class led by a good teacher. Strong writing skills work across disciplines, as I said in “Writing resources for equity research analysts.” [...]
November 13th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Thank you, this info was very useful.
December 27th, 2011 at 5:53 am
[...] Writing resources for equity research analysts–There are some specialized resources for analysts. [...]
February 8th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
What would you consider as `best in class’ investment writing? How would you describe an investment writer that is best in class? What does it take to get there? Thanks much!
February 8th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Kathy,
Thank you for your question. It’s hard to answer in a brief comment. Engaging writing that’s easy to read ranks high of my list for the best investment writers.
As for additional specifics, I think my body of blog posts gives a good idea of what I value.