The side of Wall Street comprising the investing institutions such as mutual funds, pension funds and insurance firms that tend to buy large portions of securities for money-management purposes. The buy side is the opposite of the sell-side entities, which provide recommendations for upgrades, downgrades, target prices and opinions to the public market. Together, the buy side and sell side make up both sides of Wall Street.
Investopedia Says:
For example, a buy-side analyst typically works in a non-brokerage firm (i.e. mutual fund or pension fund) and provides research and recommendations exclusively for the benefit of the company's own money managers (as opposed to individual investors). Unlike sell-side recommendations - which are meant for the public - buy-side recommendations are not available to anyone outside the firm. In fact, if the buy-side analyst stumbles upon a formula, vision or approach that works, it is kept secret.
Related Links:
Think this career is right for you? Learn more about how to get in - and how to succeed. Becoming A Financial Analyst
Thinking about relying on analyst recommendations for your next trade? We'll show you what to watch out for. What To Know About Financial Analysts
Analysts on Wall Street produce different kinds of research reports because they have different kinds of clients. The objectivity of reports is an important issue for investors. Three Kinds Of Analysts And What You Need To Know About Them
