At PracticalAdultInsights, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.
What does a Fixed Income Analyst do?
A fixed income analyst has three areas of responsibility: determine the value of debt securities, create advice reports, and monitor performance. The analyst typically has a university degree in finance, accounting, or related field. Employment opportunities for this type of analyst are available in investment firms, large banks, and related industries.
People who enjoy working with numbers, are interested in finance, and have an analytical thought process find this type of work rewarding. The primary function of a fixed income analyst is to analyze market activity, advise the firm which action will produce the best yield and minimize the risk of loss. The fixed income market trades in debt securities or fixed income financial instruments. An example of a debt security is a government bond, which pays out at specific dates.
The primary role of the fixed income analyst is to determine the value of bonds available for purchase, payout dates, rates, and what would be in the best interest of the company. Companies who trade in fixed income bonds are usually investment firms, but can also be non-financial firms with cash they want to use to build an investment-based income stream.
Advice reports provide background on the bond, historical performance, ranking in the marketplace, comparable investment tools, and any relevant news that may impact bond performance. The report also includes a section for recommendations. Here the fixed income analyst indicates if the firm should buy, sell, hold, hedge, or not buy a particular bond. The decision must be supported by the information in the details section, which includes the current offer, options, and risk assessment.
Although a bond has a fixed payout amount, it is important to monitor bonds to ensure that the terms of the agreement are met, the correct payout received, and information is collected for the next advice report. It is important to note that research skills are very important in this job. Reviewing the information available, measuring its validity, and comparing this information to others is central to being successful in this job.
Talk with people who work in the investment industry, and they can advise you about the work environment in an investment firm. Typically, the hours are long, the pressure intense, and the clients demanding. Many people who are attracted to the level of activity in an investment firm experience burn out after five or ten years. The level of intensity is quite high, and often causes staff to experience physical symptoms of prolonged exposure to stress.
AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![A fixed income analyst may experience physical symptoms of prolonged exposure to stress.]()
By: PhotosebiaA fixed income analyst may experience physical symptoms of prolonged exposure to stress. -
![A fixed income analyst may experience burn out after five or ten years on the job.]()
By: V&P Photo StudioA fixed income analyst may experience burn out after five or ten years on the job.
Discussion Comments
@Animalz – I work with a staffing firm, and if I remember correctly, the average salary for a fixed income analyst is between $49,000 and $78,000 per year. Those stats may change by the time you graduate from college, but I think it’s safe to expect at least $40,000 per year at the entry level.
Also, most people in that profession have 1 to 9 years of experience. I think it will be easier for you to get hired after graduation if you do an internship while you’re in college.
Getting some experience will be beneficial when you enter the work force, especially in a job like this one, since you’ll be dealing with a company’s finances.
What’s the average fixed income analyst salary? My mom told me I’m supposed to start thinking about what I want to study in college. I know I want to work with numbers and money, so this might be a good fit for me, but the salary has to be worth it.
Post your comments