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We had the privilege of hosting an insightful career panel featuring three distinguished professionals: HuaQun Soh, Ada Lim, and Sigrid Qiu. Each of them shared their personal career journeys, perspectives on the industry, and the essential skills required to excel in this dynamic field.
HuaQun Soh: "Equity Research is About Challenging Assumptions and Finding Market Opportunities"
HuaQun, a Fund Manager at Daiwa Asset Management, shared how his career journey began in audit, where he developed a strong foundation in financial analysis by looking at companies from a historical perspective. His transition into asset management allowed him to evaluate companies more dynamically, focusing on market trends and investment opportunities. He emphasised the importance of challenging assumptions, evaluating market propositions, and cross-checking information with external sources. According to HuaQun, forming independent views by reading the news, conducting self-research, and engaging with analysts is critical in making informed investment decisions. He also highlighted how AI has significantly enhanced efficiency in portfolio management by summarizing earnings calls and extracting key insights.
Ada Lim: "Deep Diving into Asset Classes and Understanding Investment Outcomes"
Ada, an Equity Research Analyst at the Bank of Singapore, started her career in private banking but soon realised her passion lay in research within the Chief Investment Office. She enjoys taking a deep dive into specific asset classes and assessing the factors affecting market movements. For Ada, the key to success in equity research is understanding what influences the market for specific companies and making strategic investment recommendations. She stressed the importance of continuous learning and upskilling in a fast-changing world. She also acknowledged how AI serves as a valuable productivity tool, allowing analysts to spend more time engaging with clients and making informed decisions.
Sigrid Qiu: "Curiosity, Communication, and Conviction are Key in Equity Research"
Sigrid, an Equity Research Analyst at JP Morgan, initially did not envision a career in equity research. However, her internship at JP Morgan exposed her to the intricacies of the finance world, allowing her to engage with company management and understand capital flows. She highlighted three key skills that have helped her excel: conviction in one’s views, effective communication with traders and clients, and curiosity to stay informed about daily market developments. Her daily routine involves assessing investment calls, advising clients on stock picks, and staying updated with market movements. Sigrid also shared how AI has expanded knowledge bases, making it easier to analyze cross-asset trends and automate data collection for more efficient decision-making.
Essential Takeaways on the Finance Industry
Navigating Challenges in Equity Research
Each speaker touched on the challenges they faced in their careers. HuaQun noted the difficulty in determining asset allocation across different industries and macroeconomic cycles. Ada emphasised the importance of not falling into the trap of being overly biased toward specific valuations, ensuring that investment decisions are based on solid understanding rather than assumptions. Sigrid shared her initial struggles as a junior in a competitive field, stressing the importance of seizing opportunities and demonstrating value to senior colleagues.
The Role of AI in Finance
AI has become a powerful tool in finance, helping analysts summarize earnings calls, extract relevant insights, and automate data collection. While technology enhances efficiency, all three panelists agreed that human judgment remains irreplaceable when making critical investment decisions.
Advice for Aspiring Finance Professionals
When asked for career advice, Ada emphasised the value of case competitions in gaining practical investment experience beyond theoretical classroom learning. Sigrid encouraged students to take internships seriously, as they provide valuable exposure to the finance industry. HuaQun recommended developing financial modeling skills and participating in stock pitching competitions to build a strong foundation in equity research.
Q&A Segment with the Audience
The panel also engaged in an interactive Q&A session, allowing the audience to ask questions about the evolving finance landscape. One of the key takeaways was Sigrid’s insight into the importance of conviction and communication, where even juniors can contribute meaningful insights if they are well-researched. HuaQun emphasised that timing is crucial in investment decisions and that networking plays a key role in mitigating risks. Ada highlighted the importance of taking responsibility for mistakes and continuously reevaluating strategies to improve decision-making. When asked for advice on how fresh graduates can stand out in the finance industry, Ada pointed out that young professionals bring new perspectives and ideas to the team, which can be highly valuable. Sigrid stressed that while experience is important, juniors should have the confidence to add value through independent research and fresh insights.
Final Advice for Aspiring Finance Professionals
The panel concluded with inspiring words from each speaker. Ada emphasised the importance of continuous upskilling and gaining internship experience to determine career suitability. Sigrid advised students to stay curious and keep up with financial news, while HuaQun encouraged young professionals to develop financial modeling skills and participate in case competitions to strengthen their analytical abilities. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our panelists for sharing their expertise and invaluable insights.
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Written by:
Aina
Strategic Content
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