One aspect of the investing community that needs a debate is the precise role of research analysts. The Oxford dictionary defines an analyst as �a person whose job involves examining facts or materials in order to give an opinion on them�. Contrary to this a majority of research analysts function as search analysts. Company managements are expected to provide all clues and leads. These projected management aspirations commonly termed as �guidance� is the basic crux for research. Companies that do not provide guidance are not put under the crystal ball for forecasting numbers. In the backdrop of the projected numbers analysts keep working with various permutations on borrowed excel sheets thus arriving at a recommendations rarely 20% beyond (each side) of the current price.
Almost all conference calls are focused with questions on numbers, numbers and more numbers. The reference to business dynamics, competitive landscape, market set up, customer perception, long range goals and other subjective attributes of business analysis is completely missing. The focus is to get the q on q numbers. No wonder research has become a QSQT - Quarter se Quarter tak.
In a management cocall the typical questions that come out are:
a) What would be your sales growth for the coming quarter and the year?
b) Will we maintain the same EBIDTA Margins if so how so if not why not?
c) What is the proposed debt level (for calculation of interest costs)?
d) What are the plans for Capital spending (for computation of depreciation and cash flow analysis).
e) Dividend payout ratio (for calculation of Book value/Retained earnings).
The benefit that management projections provide to analysts is that it makes it easier for them to shift the burden of negligence and provides an escape route. In companies whose management does not provide guidance the burden of incompetence cannot be shifted hence these companies are excluded from coverage by most analysts.
On the other hand when a company starts providing guidance to the nearest percentage analysts get down to the excel sheet to the nearest paisa. It gets a lot easier. More multibaggers originate from companies that do not provide guidance then from companies that do. For companies that provide guidance the efficient market hypothesis is in complete vogue. Bhaav Bhagwaan hai (In the ticker lies the god) all prices discount what the management had set out to do. The only thing that can surprise the investing community is the only thing that can surprise the management as well. So companies that do elaborate conference calls, investor presentations and showcase their investment worthiness have more room for disappointment then companies that do neither of these.
Michael Steinhardt allocates all his success to one principle �Variant Perception�. That is how much the actual would differ from the expected. The chances of variant perception is more with a tight lipped company that talks once a year then with a management that opens its mouth four times in twelve months.
well that is to be expected since there is so much stress on meeting estimates on a quarterly basis and the pressure to churn out more and more reports. the best short cut to spending days thinking out a company's likely revenue and profits is to simply ask the company. end of matter and on to next report and new bonus!
[QUOTE]One aspect of the investing community that needs a debate is
the precise role of research analysts. The Oxford dictionary defines an analyst as �a person whose job involves examining facts or materials in order to
give an opinion on them�. Contrary to this a majority of research
analysts function as search analysts.[/QUOTE]
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As usual a nice article from Mr. Basantji.
Peter Lynch & Warren Buffet have already uttered these points on Broking Houses. Most of the Multibaggers are surprises.
There may be good Research Reports too. I follow a little of HDFC securities. If members know few other, it may be recorded for the benefits of other members.
very true basantji....i completely agree with your view.
Equity research analysts work on both the sell side and the buy side. Sell-side researchers will work at an investment bank or independent research company, while the buy side typically indicates hedge funds or investment management.
Basant sir , I agree with you observation you make a great point. Got some great information here. I think that if more people thought about it that way, theyd have a better time understanding the issue. Your view is definitely something Id like to see more of. T
Wow, what a great treasure of information all in one place.
Thanks for information Anushka Singh ji
Posted on:5/16/2011 6:11:01 AMmonu_duggad
:)