Financial Analysts

Financial analysts conduct quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programmes of public or private institutions. Tasks include - (a) analysing financial information to produce forecasts of business, industry and economic conditions for use in making investment decisions; (b) maintaining knowledge and staying abreast of developments in the fields of industrial technology, business, finance and economic theory; (c) interpreting data affecting investment programmes such as price, yield, stability, future trends in investment risks and economic influences; (d) monitoring economic, industrial and corporate developments through analysis of information obtained from financial publications and services, investment banking firms, government agencies, trade publications, company sources and personal interviews; (e) recommending investments and investment timing to companies, investment firm staff or the investing public; (f) determining the prices at which securities should be syndicated and offered to the public; (g) preparing plans of action for investment based on financial analyses; (h) evaluating and comparing the relative quality of various securities in a given industry; (i) presenting oral and written reports on general economic trends, individual corporations and entire industries. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Bond analyst - Investment analyst - Securities consultant.