In a pattern not dissimilar from the migration of birds, you can always be sure that when the bonus season concludes, and cheques are safely in the bank, equity research analysts will start to move between firms.
And so far, CSFB looks to be the firm that has gone into market on the most aggressive hiring drive. Fresh from the success of its investor conference in March, it has decided to beef up its equity research division with some senior hires. Not surprisingly, China is firmly on its radar screen.
From number one ranked broker, UBS it has hired the highly regarded Vincent Chan to head its China research efforts. Likewise, Natalie Wan joins from UBS also to cover China equity. And Stanley Wong joins from GE's Asia-Pacific Capital Technology Fund, also to cover China.
In another key sectoral hire, Edison Lee joins from JPMorgan to cover non-Japan Asia regional telecoms; and Jeannie Cheung joins from HSBC to cover consumer electronics and autos. Abraham Leu similarly joins from HSBC to cover foundry stocks.
The move form part of a broader push by CSFB globally - with nine key equity research hires made in Europe, six in the US and four in Japan.
