Profession investment analyst

Investment analysts undertake research to make informed recommendations to fund managers. They research investments globally but depending on the nature and field of their employer they can specialise in fields like retail, infrastructure, energy, banking and financial services. They focus on financial and economical information such as the political and economic developments that can impact financial markets, the financial performance of the target companies and use the interpretation of data from different sources to understand how it affects investment decision making.

Personality Type

• Conventional / Enterprising
• Conventional / Investigative
• Enterprising / Conventional

Knowledge

• Funding methods

  The financial possibilities for funding projects such as the traditional ones, namely loans, venture capital, public or private grants up to alternative methods such as crowdfunding.

• Actuarial science

  The rules of applying mathematical and statistical techniques to determine potential or existing risks in various industries, such as finance or insurance.

• Securities

  The financial instruments traded in financial markets representing both the right of property over the owner and at the same time, the obligation of payment over the issuer. The aim of securities which is raising capital and hedging risk in financial markets.

• Stock market

  The market in which shares of publicly held companies are issued and traded.

• International trade

  The economic practise and study field that address the exchange of goods and services across geographic borders. The general theories and schools of thought around the implications of international trade in terms of exports, imports, competitivity, GDP, and role of multinational companies.

• Financial products

  The different types of instruments that apply to the management of cash flow that are available on the market, such as shares, bonds, options or funds.

• Financial markets

  The financial infrastructure which permits trading securities offered by companies and individuals govern by regulatory financial frameworks.

• Modern portfolio theory

  The theory of finance that attempts to either maximise the profit of an investment equivalent to the risk taken or to reduce the risk for the expected profit of an investment by judiciously choosing the right combination of financial products.

• Economics

  Economic principles and practices, financial and commodity markets, banking and the analysis of financial data.

Skills

• Analyse market financial trends

  Monitor and forecast the tendencies of a financial market to move in a particular direction over time.

• Analyse economic trends

  Analyse developments in national or international trade, business relations, banking, and developments in public finance and how these factors interact with one another in a given economic context.

• Monitor stock market

  Observe and analyse the stock market and its trends on a daily basis to gather up-to-date information in order to develop investment strategies.

• Review investment portfolios

  Meet with clients to review or update an investment portfolio and provide financial advice on investments.

• Obtain financial information

  Gather information on securities, market conditions, governmental regulations and the financial situation, goals and needs of clients or companies.

• Analyse financial performance of a company

  Based on accounts, records, financial statements and external information of the market, analyse the performance of the company in financial matters in order to identify improvement actions that could increase profit.

• Provide support in financial calculation

  Provide colleagues, clients or other parties with financial support for complex files or calculations.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB