Equity Analyst, Financials

Principal Financial Group•New York, NY

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Principal's Global Equity team is searching for an experienced U.S. small- and mid-cap Financials Equity Analyst to join our research team! This candidate will work with a diverse team of portfolio managers and dedicated sector analysts to deliver proprietary research and investment recommendations. The role involves generating alpha through investment recommendations based upon in-depth, detailed proprietary analysis of industrial companies, with a specific focus on small- and mid-cap (market capitalization under $20 billion) financial sector companies in the U.S. The analyst will interact frequently with company management, industry experts, and other stakeholders to gather differentiated and high-conviction qualitative and quantitative insights. This position requires partnering closely with the financial sector team lead, analysts, and portfolio managers to drive outperformance through stock selection while working within the framework of our research process and portfolio constraints. The role also includes building and maintaining detailed financial models to forecast company performance and assess security valuation, incorporating macroeconomic and industry-specific factors. The analyst will generate timely, actionable investment ideas and communicate insights through written reports, models, presentations, and investment committee discussions, as well as maintain research coverage of existing investments within financials for multiple portfolios.

Requirements

5+ years equity investment experience in financials, preferably with at least 2 years on the buyside
U.S. small- and mid-cap financials sector research and investment experience
Experience across multiple financial sub-sectors, such as banks, P&C and/or life insurance, asset/alternative managers, and diversified financials.
Proven track record of generating consistent alpha through actively covered investment recommendations
Demonstrated ability to leverage AI-enabled research tools (including agentic AI and coworking tools) to enhance idea generation, due diligence, analysis, and investment decision-making.
Ability to distill and communicate industry data and trends into actionable investment insights

Nice To Haves

MBA or CFA designation highly preferred
Possess best-in-class analytical skills, including extensive knowledge of the financials sector, fundamental company analysis, and financial modeling
Highly intellectually curious, with a clear passion for investing and public markets
Entrepreneurial mindset; self-starter with a desire to build out an individual franchise within Financials-dedicated team
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Willingness to travel for company visits, conferences, and research

Responsibilities

Generate alpha through investment recommendations based upon in-depth, detailed proprietary analysis of industrial companies, with a specific focus on small- and mid-cap (market capitalization under $20 billion) financial sector companies in the U.S.
Interact frequently with company management, industry experts, and other stakeholders to gather differentiated and high-conviction qualitative and quantitative insights
Partner closely with financial sector team lead, analysts, and portfolio managers to drive outperformance through stock selection while working within the framework of our research process and portfolio constraints
Build and maintain detailed financial models to forecast company performance and assess security valuation, incorporating macroeconomic and industry-specific factors
Generate timely, actionable investment ideas and communicate insights through written reports, models, presentations, and investment committee discussions
Maintain research coverage of existing investments within financials for multiple portfolios