Stock research comes in two principal varieties: sell side and buy side.
Sell side stock research is published for public consumption and frequently is driven by marketing concerns. Conflicts of interest can compromise its independence.
Buy side stock research typically is not released to the public, and thus tends to be more unbiased. Sell side research is used primarily by money managers but sometimes also by securities traders.
In either branch, stock research tends to be fast-paced, pressure-packed and highly remunerative. The CFA is necessary to advance in this field.
