EQUITY RESEARCH & STRATEGY
Contrapposto Research
We are a collective of student analysts focused on the mechanics of M&A and Equity Research. Contrapposto provides a national framework for those seeking to master the craft of financial modeling and sector analysis outside the constraints of traditional university clubs. We prioritize first principles, raw market data, and the rigorous production of original investment memos.
Mission
The mission is that this project, above all, serves the students who are looking for a more robust experience than is offered in most student finance settings. In many traditional finance environments, like some search funds, the students tend to be confined to a very limited slice of the operation, maybe just finding or entering some basic information. Contrapposto provides students with the complete journey from an idea about a sector investment thesis to the finished M&A or equity research memo.The name of our project is indicative of our philosophy that lies in achieving balance between various fields of knowledge for discovery of truth. Our approach does not involve merely dealing with numbers as separate entities. If one intends to analyze Oil & Gas, one must examine the interplay between geology, international shipping lines, and infrastructure. Similarly, when one seeks to analyze Consumer Brands, he must consider history, cultural changes, and psychology of man.The objective is to have a group of students from all around the country working on challenging projects together. This will give the chance for these individuals to come up with a body of work (a portfolio of memos) that proves the worth of their talent.
Foundation
THE CURRICULUM
Phase I: The Fundamentals (Core Texts, History of Finance, Accounting Mechanics, First Principles)Phase II: The Practitioner’s Toolset (Excel, Three-Statement Modeling, Valuation Methodologies)Phase III: Sector Specialization (M&A Deal Logic, Deep-Dives into Energy, Consumer, and Tech)Phase IV: The Memo (The final production of a professional-grade research document)
M&A RESEARCH ARCHIVE
memos available on linkedin
Equity Research
memos available on linkedin