Definition
Sell-Side Research
Investment research produced by brokerage firms and investment banks for their clients.
Sell-side research is produced by analysts at brokerage firms, investment banks, and independent research providers. These analysts publish reports with ratings (buy, hold, sell), price targets, and financial models for the companies they cover. While valuable for understanding industry dynamics and company fundamentals, sell-side research is widely distributed and therefore less likely to provide unique insights. Buy-side investors often use sell-side research as a starting point, then conduct primary research through expert networks to develop differentiated views.