Investment guru: A portfolio manager makes investment decisions using money entrusted to him by his clients
If you are highly analytical and have a love of the financial markets and the ever-changing world of current events, then a career as a portfolio manager is for you. Portfolio managers basically manage money across various asset classes like debt equity
real estate on behalf of the clients, within the mandates given by them. S/he is required to generate returns which are better than the benchmark index over the period of time. It is extremely important for him/her to win the trust and confidence of the client to retain their money for long term. A long-term track record of performing benchmark index and making money for the client are the hallmark of a good portfolio manager. The ability to manage risk is essential
Clockwork
As a portfolio manager, most of your time will be spent researching global and local marcoeconomic data and trends. You will also have to meet with top officials of various companies to evaluate their credit or fundamental values and to build portfolios
The payoff
Pay scale depends on the performance of an individual. It may vary from mutual funds to insurance, hedge funds and private equity funds. As a portfolio manager you will be well compensated for your work
Skills/TRAITS
* Ability to work for long hours
* Excellent analytical skills
* Good observation skills
Getting there
Minimum qualification required is a bachelor’s degree in finance or economics. Courses in capital markets and interest rates, financial statement analysis and portfolio management can be helpful. You can also get a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance or economics
Institutes and URLs
* National Stock Exchange of India, Mumbai www.nseindia.com
* Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi
www.iift.edu/new
* BLB Institute of Financial Markets (BIFM), New Delhi www.bifm.edu.in
Pros and cons
* Excellent growth prospects
* Tough competition
* Requires years of financial analysis experience
* Long working hours
More than intellect, the right attitude is essential for survival -- Nilesh Shah, director, Axis Direct, Mumbai