Research Report

A research report is a document prepared by an analyst or strategist who is a part of the investment research team in a stock brokerage or investment bank. A research report may focus on a specific stock or industry sector, a currency, commodity or fixed-income instrument, or on a geographic region or country. Research reports generally, but not always, have actionable recommendations such as investment ideas that investors can act upon.

Research reports are produced by a variety of sources, ranging from market research firms to in-house departments at large organizations. When applied to the investment industry, the term usually refers to sell-side research, or investment research produced by brokerage houses. Such research is disseminated to the institutional and retail clients of the brokerage that produces it. Research produced by the buy-side, which includes pension funds, mutual funds and portfolio managers, is usually for internal use only and is not distributed to external parties.

Financial analysts may produce research reports for the purpose of supporting a particular recommendation, such as whether to buy or sell a particular security or whether a client should consider a particular financial product. For example, an analyst may create a report in regards to a new offering being proposed by a company. The report could include relevant metrics regarding the company itself, such as the number of years they have been in operation as well as the names of key stakeholders, along with statistics regarding the current state of the market in which the company participates. Information regarding overall profitability as well as the intended use of the funds can also be included.

In March 2018, it came to light that Facebook may have misused users' data, transmitting large quantities to a research firm called Cambridge Analytics that allegedly used it to influence the 2016 presidential election. While the fallout of the scandal damaged the stock, analysts' research reports contributed to its movement, as investors pored over their opinions of the company as an investment. One report from Pivotal Research Group gave the stock a negative rating, saying that the company suffered from "systemic mismanagement." Shares of the company declined 3.34% on March 21 as the situation continued to unfold and research reports rolled out. 

While some analysts are functionally unaffiliated, others may be directly or indirectly affiliated with the companies for which they produce reports. Unaffiliated analysts traditionally perform independent research to determine an appropriate recommendation and may have limited concern regarding the outcome.

Affiliated analysts may feel best served by ensuring any research reports portray clients in a favorable light. Additionally, if an analyst is also an investor in the company on which the report is based, he may have personal incentive to avoid topics that may result in a lowered valuation of the securities in which he has invested.