Among equity research companies with offshore delivery centers, Integreon is widely regarded as one of the largest and most respected firms. Integreon differentiates itself from other equity research companies by its ability to provide middle office solutions to the financial services industry.
We work with bulge bracket investment banks and equity research departments, portfolio managers, hedge funds, management consultancies and other buy-side and sell-side firms. While other offshore and onshore equity research companies may claim to have expertise, the Integreon team consists of members with experience in global investment banks (e.g. JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs) and equity research companies (S&P, Dun & Bradstreet). Each investment analysts is a qualified MBA CFA or Chartered Accountant.
While other equity research companies provide only broad data, Integreon focuses on providing in-depth insightful research that is timely and valuable to clients. By incorporating Integreon’s equity research services into their operations, clients take advantage of:
- Highly skilled talent pools in low-cost countries
- The ability to cover multiple industry sectors and stocks
- 24×7x365 work hours
- Highly secure information security processes
Equity Research Companies Do Not Offer Integreon’s Breadth of Services
Integreon offers a full suite of equity research services including:
- Company Reports
- Industry Reports
- Earnings Call Summaries
- Financial Models and Valuations
- Comps Sheets
- Thematic Studies
Our support teams provide robust research deliverables that are in many cases white-labeled by clients or alternatively, serve as the basis for buy-hold-sell decisions.
2008 Black Book of Outsourcing Names Integreon Among Top Equity Research Companies and #1 Provider of Outsourcing Research & Analytics.
For more information and to see the top-ten equity research companies, click here. [link to Black Book press release]
Case Study
A major global investment bank selected Integreon over other equity research providers to provide offshore “middle-office” teams of MBAs to build and update equity and merger & acquisition comps for onshore bankers.
- Integreon’s analytics team traveled to New York for one month (twice) for intensive knowledge transfer session with associate level bankers
- Detailed training curriculum and SOPs prepared by Integreon team used for cross training Mumbai team upon their return to India
- Cover multiple industry sectors and models within each sector
- Direct, real-time communication and collaboration with onshore bankers
- Integreon team serves as live extension of client analyst and associate pool for investment banking
Market Overview
Equity research companies have grown in the past years as several trends moved the financial services sector away from using internal resources. One of the main drivers that led to an outcrop of equity research providers was the separation of research and investment banking after conflicts of interest were found. Another main driver is that trading fees, which in many cases paid for equity research at brokerage firms were pressured downward due to the growth of electronic trading.
As a result, financial services firms looked to equity research companies with low-cost models such as Integreon to support their internal associates. Outsourced equity research, which is grouped into the overall knowledge process outsourcing sector, is expected to grow into a $16.7 billion market by 2010-2011 implying an annual growth rate among equity research companies of 39 percent, according to the Brown-Wilson Group, a recognized outsourcing industry consultancy.
Unlike other equity research companies, Integreon provides a menu of other knowledge services including fixed income, corporate finance, asset management and hedge fund solutions. For more information about those services, click here [link to knowledge services home page].
Integreon’s Security Policies
Integreon maintains the highest standards for information security and leads equity research providers in this regard. Integreon is ISO27001-certified, the international standard for information security excellence. Moreover, we co-develop with you a robust security policy in the context of your business needs and security concerns and then we implement the technology solutions that you and your IT staff approve, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems and authentication tools.
Business continuity and infrastructure
Differentiating itself from other equity research providers, Integreon has two facilities in Mumbai, within thirty minutes of each other, for easy relocation of staff in case of disaster, e.g. fire in one facility. Our facilities have redundant power, internet and telephone systems in case of interruption. Backups include uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), onsite generators and multiple dedicated internet connections from multiple ISPs. Integreon also has facilities in Manila, New York City and Fargo, N.D.
Integreon associates work in professional office environments similar to our customers’ offices in London or New York. Each office has well implemented physical security:
- 24/7 guards
- Security cameras
- Dedicated facilities with biometric access control
The Integreon IT network is built for security and redundancy. It is closely monitored 24/7 and architected to avoid single points of failure.
Confidentiality
Integreon invests considerably more time and energy in ongoing training of our associates regarding the criticality of confidentiality in our business than other equity research providers. We have never experienced a breach of information security. Integreon signs strict non-disclosure agreements with all customers. All Integreon associates must pass a comprehensive background check and must sign strict confidentiality agreements with Integreon. Employees are forbidden to share or disclose personal passwords with colleagues. We strictly enforce all confidentiality standards and any breach of security or confidentiality policies by an associate may result in termination of employment or even prosecution.
Integreon Leads the Industry in Employee Retention
While many other outsourced equity research providers experience attrition levels around 40 percent, Integreon is able to retain its top talent by providing a career-management track and a robust human capital program.
It’s common among equity research providers to “burn and churn” projects and employees, but Integreon sees long term benefits to being client and employee centric.
Our recruits are highly motivated to learn new skills and contribute to a growing enterprise. Our high-end BPO (business process outsourcing) and KPO (knowledge process outsourcing) services and blue chip customer base provides them with an opportunity to be part of an innovative, international company where they can interact with professionals from around the world. We carefully match the educational backgrounds of the people we recruit (graduate and advanced post-graduate degrees) to the profile of work they will actually perform so that we ensure that they have the capabilities to contribute quickly, but also find personal growth and development in their career. We also specifically look for high levels of computer, communication and logical thinking skills.
To learn more about Integreon and see how we differentiate ourselves from other equity research providers, contact us.