Equity Research Analyst vs Investment Banking Analyst.
Same industry, different day-to-day. Here is how the two roles actually differ — skill by skill, from Skilture's profile of each role.
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Equity Research Analyst
Researches public companies and industries to produce investment recommendations. Builds valuation models, tracks earnings and market catalysts, and publishes research reports used by portfolio managers and investors.
22 tracked skills · 10 core
Full Equity Research Analyst skill breakdownInvestment Banking Analyst
Supports deal teams on mergers, acquisitions, and capital raises by building financial models, valuations, and pitch materials. Conducts due diligence and market research to inform transaction strategy under tight deadlines.
23 tracked skills · 10 core
Full Investment Banking Analyst skill breakdown14 skills both roles expect
These transfer directly if you switch between the two paths — but notice where the importance differs. Tap any skill to see why it matters.
| Skill | For Equity Research Analysts | For Investment Banking Analysts |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Modeling | Core | Core |
| Valuation | Core | Core |
| DCF | Core | Core |
| Financial Statement Analysis | Core | Important |
| Bloomberg Terminal | Core | Important |
| Excel | Core | Core |
| Market Research | Core | Important |
| Capital Markets | Important | Core |
| PowerPoint | Important | Core |
| Stakeholder Communicationsoft | Important | Important |
| Presentation Skillssoft | Nice-to-have | Important |
| Python | Nice-to-have | Nice-to-have |
| SQL | Nice-to-have | Nice-to-have |
| Risk Assessment | Nice-to-have | Nice-to-have |
Where the paths diverge
The skills each role expects that the other doesn't — this is the real cost of choosing one path over the other.
Only Equity Research Analysts need
8 skills, 3 of them core
Only Investment Banking Analysts need
9 skills, 4 of them core
Still torn? Let your actual skills decide.
Upload your resume and score yourself against both roles. See which one you're already closer to — and exactly what it takes to close the other gap.
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Equity Research Analyst vs Investment Banking Analyst: common questions
- What is the difference between an Equity Research Analyst and an Investment Banking Analyst?
- Equity Research Analyst: Researches public companies and industries to produce investment recommendations. Builds valuation models, tracks earnings and market catalysts, and publishes research reports used by portfolio managers and investors. Investment Banking Analyst: Supports deal teams on mergers, acquisitions, and capital raises by building financial models, valuations, and pitch materials. Conducts due diligence and market research to inform transaction strategy under tight deadlines. The two roles share 14 skills, while 8 skills are specific to Equity Research Analysts and 9 to Investment Banking Analysts.
- Which skills do Equity Research Analysts and Investment Banking Analysts share?
- Skills that are core to both roles include Financial Modeling, Valuation, DCF, Excel. In total the roles overlap on 14 skills, which makes it realistic to move between them.
- How do I know which role my current skills are closer to?
- Upload your resume at Skilture and check your Resume Score against each role. In about 60 seconds per role you see which one you're already closer to and exactly which skills you'd need to close the gap — free, no signup required.