While the futures for many sell side analysts that lost their jobs in 2008 remains uncertain, there has been a notable increase in hiring at hedge funds , regional brokerages as well as independent research firms. As we previously stated in June, “Post-crisis, we’ve seen a flattening of the curve as the bulge firms have reduced capacity while regionals and independents have added capacity.”
This past week, GC Research, a boutique equity research firm that specializes in the technology industry with a focus on emerging technologies, hired Adam Hinckley as Senior Vice President, Global Equity Research. Formerly of S.A.C Capital Management and CIBC World Markets, Hinckley will cover clean technology, including solar, wind, fuel cells and smart grid. “ I am delighted to have the opportunity to work at GC Research. The lack of traditional sell-side conflicts of interest will allow me to focus entirely on the job at hand and provide the most actionable and unbiased calls to the buy-side,” Hinckley stated.
Additionally, according to a recent article published by Reuters, hedge funds “have grown confident enough about attractive investment opportunities to take on staff — particularly marketing executives to help lure back assets, operations staff and fund managers expert in popular strategies.” Research firm Hedge Fund Research cites that funds have increased 12 percent this year after losing a 19 percent in 2008. The increase in performance as well as rising equity markets has encouraged a number of firms, including Citadel, RBC Capital Markets, Artradis and Tribridge, to increase their staff.
Recruitment firm Alpha Search Advisory believes volume of job placements is up three-fold from the first quarter. Founder Bob Olman stated , “The jobs market is still slacker than before the credit crisis and hedge fund executive pay is also lower, but many of the most talented managers have found new jobs.”
Vice president of Moody’s alternative investment group, Odi Lahav also recognizes this change. “For many funds, performance is up and more managers are looking towards growth again. So, after having cut a lot of staff around the end of last year, they’re now looking to restaff in areas they think are worthwhile,” he stated.