Quantitative research analysts (Quants) produce in-depth quantitative and econometric modeling of market anomalies to assist sell-side analysts and institutional clients with stock selection strategies. Quants are associated with more efficient analyst forecasting behavior on anomaly predictors...

Using hand-collected biographical information on financial analysts from 1983 to 2011, we find that analysts making forecasts on firms in industries related to their pre-analyst experience have better forecast accuracy, evoke stronger market reactions to earning revisions, and are more likely to...

This paper examines price reactions to analysts' recommendations issued in the opposite direction of recent stock price movements. We find that upgrade and downgrade contrarian recommendations induce larger market reactions than non-contrarian recommendations, consistent with the view that they...

We examine whether analysts' prior industry experience influences their ability to serve as effective external firm monitors. Our analyses of firms' financial disclosure quality, executive compensation and CEO turnover decisions portray a consistent picture that related pre-analyst industry...

We identify an important channel through which political information propagates into capital markets—Washington policy analysts (WAs). WAs monitor political developments and produce research to interpret the impact of these events. Institutional clients generate superior returns on their...

Following the Global Settlement, analysts extensively use a top pick designation to highlight their highest conviction best ideas. Such a designation enables analysts to provide greater granularity of information, but it can potentially be influenced by conflicts of interest. Examining a...