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| Tarantino and Krause |
On Monday, November 23, 2015, David Tarantino of Robert W.
Baird & Company visited the AIM program. Mr. Tarantino, CFA, is a Senior
Research Analyst and Associate Director of Research with Baird. He covers the
restaurant segment of the consumer discretionary industry.
He has over 12 years in Baird’s Equity Research Department
and previously spent ten years at P&G in various positions in Product
Development and Brand Management. This experience has provided him with a
strong foundation to function as an equity research analyst in the consumer
space. Mr. Tarantino received his MBA from the Chicago Booth School of Business
and has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Notre Dame.
In the AIM class he discussed the role of a sell-side
analyst and emphasized the importance of solid writing skills – along with the
ability to build financial models to estimate financial performance and to
generate industry insights through analysis and data gathering. He indicated
the importance of clearly communicating research insights and stock
recommendations to institutional investors and highlighted the importance of
personal communication skills (including face to face meetings, phone
conversations, and email).
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| David Tarantino |
The students found the discussion about the restaurant industry
to be especially interesting. David pointed out that as an analyst in the restaurant
space he focuses on those characteristics that allow customers to have a differentiated
dining experience. He pointed out that successful restaurants have a strong
value proposition and a benefit/price equation that consumers favor.
Additionally, innovation and keeping their brand relevant is necessary; as well
as crisp execution – and consistently delivering the desired consumer
experience.
Mr. Tarantino stayed in the AIM Room after class to meet
with juniors in order to discuss internship and career opportunities as a
sell-side equity analyst.
