
Initiating Coverage
- 962 installs
- 33.8k repo stars
- Updated July 22, 2026
- anthropics/financial-services-plugins
initiating-coverage creates institutional equity research initiation reports in five tasks.
About
The initiating-coverage skill creates institutional-quality equity research initiation reports through a structured five-task workflow executed individually with verified prerequisites. Tasks cover company research, financial analysis, valuation, competitive landscape, and report assembly agents must not skip or merge blindly. Each task confirms inputs before proceeding to maintain auditability suitable for research desk standards. The skill produces initiation reports analogous to sell-side launch coverage with dense figures and sourced claims. Five-task initiation report workflow with verified prerequisites. Company research, financials, valuation, and competitive tasks. Tasks executed individually without skipping verification gates. Institutional-quality equity research initiation output. Sell-side style launch coverage report assembly. Create institutional equity initiation reports via verified 5-task workflow with prerequisites.
- Five-task initiation report workflow with verified prerequisites.
- Company research, financials, valuation, and competitive tasks.
- Tasks executed individually without skipping verification gates.
- Institutional-quality equity research initiation output.
- Sell-side style launch coverage report assembly.
Initiating Coverage by the numbers
- 962 all-time installs (skills.sh)
- +24 installs in the week ending Jul 28, 2026 (Skillselion tracking)
- Ranked #145 of 1,136 Finance & Trading skills by installs in the Skillselion catalog
- Security screen: MEDIUM risk (skills.sh audit)
- Data as of Jul 28, 2026 (Skillselion catalog sync)
What initiating-coverage says it does
Create institutional-quality equity research initiation reports through a 5-task workflow.
npx skills add https://github.com/anthropics/financial-services-plugins --skill initiating-coverageAdd your badge
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| Installs | 962 |
|---|---|
| repo stars | ★ 33.8k |
| Security audit | 2 / 3 scanners passed |
| Last updated | July 22, 2026 |
| Repository | anthropics/financial-services-plugins ↗ |
How do I write an initiating coverage report for this company?
Create institutional equity initiation reports via verified 5-task workflow with prerequisites.
Who is it for?
Equity research analysts launching coverage on a new name.
Skip if: Skip for quick earnings notes without full initiation scope.
When should I use this skill?
User creates initiating coverage, launch report, or 5-task equity initiation.
What you get
Five-task verified initiation report with research, valuation, and competitive analysis.
- QC-passed DOCX report
- Validated XLS model
- Deliverables checklist
By the numbers
- Requires DOCX reports with at least 30 pages and 10,000+ words
- Mandates 25+ embedded charts and 12+ comprehensive tables plus an XLS financial model
Files
Initiating Coverage
Create institutional-quality equity research initiation reports through a structured 5-task workflow. Each task must be executed separately with verified inputs.
Overview
This skill produces comprehensive first-time coverage reports following institutional standards (JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley format). Tasks are executed individually, each verifying prerequisites before proceeding.
Default Font: Times New Roman throughout all documents (unless user specifies otherwise).
---
⚠️ CRITICAL: One Task at a Time
THIS SKILL OPERATES IN SINGLE-TASK MODE ONLY.
If User Requests Full Pipeline
When user requests:
- "Create a coverage initiation report for [Company]"
- "Write an initiation report for [Company]"
- "Do the entire equity research process for [Company]"
- "Complete all 5 tasks for [Company]"
- Any request that implies running multiple tasks or the entire workflow
REQUIRED RESPONSE:
1. Ask which specific task to perform:
I can help you create an equity research initiation report for [Company].
This involves 5 separate tasks that need to be completed individually:
1. Company Research - Research business, management, industry
2. Financial Modeling - Build projection model
3. Valuation Analysis - DCF and comparable companies
4. Chart Generation - Create 25-35 charts
5. Report Assembly - Compile final report
Which task would you like to start with?2. When user explicitly requests all tasks together:
I understand you'd like to complete the entire initiation report pipeline.
Currently, this skill supports executing one task at a time, which allows
for better quality control and review at each stage.
We're working on a seamless end-to-end workflow that will make this process
more automated, but for now, we'll need to complete each task separately.
Would you like to start with Task 1 (Company Research)?3. Never automatically assume which task to start - always ask user to confirm.
4. Never execute multiple tasks in sequence - complete one task, deliver outputs, then wait for next user request.
Task Execution Rules
- ✅ Execute exactly ONE task per user request
- ✅ Always verify prerequisites before starting a task
- ✅ Deliver task outputs and confirm completion
- ✅ Wait for user to explicitly request the next task
- ❌ Never chain multiple tasks together automatically
- ❌ Never assume user wants to proceed to next task
- ❌ Never execute Tasks 3-5 without verifying required inputs exist
⚠️ Deliverables Policy: NO SHORTCUTS
DELIVER ONLY THE SPECIFIED OUTPUTS. DO NOT CREATE EXTRA DOCUMENTS.
Each task specifies exact deliverables. Do NOT create:
- ❌ "Completion summaries"
- ❌ "Executive summaries"
- ❌ "Quick reference guides"
- ❌ "Next steps documents"
- ❌ "Task completion reports"
- ❌ Any other "helpful" documentation not explicitly specified
Why: These extras waste context and are not part of the professional workflow.
What TO deliver:
- ✅ Task 1: Research document (.md) — NOTHING ELSE
- ✅ Task 2: Financial model (.xlsx) — NOTHING ELSE
- ✅ Task 3: Valuation analysis (.md) + Excel tabs added to Task 2 file — NOTHING ELSE
- ✅ Task 4: Charts zip file (.zip) — NOTHING ELSE
- ✅ Task 5: Final report (.docx) — NOTHING ELSE
If a deliverable is not listed above, DO NOT CREATE IT.
---
Task Selection
Select which task to execute:
| Task | Name | Prerequisites | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Company Research | Company name/ticker | 6-8K word document |
| 2 | Financial Modeling | 10-K or financials access | Excel model (6 tabs) |
| 3 | Valuation Analysis | Financial model (Task 2) | Valuation + price target |
| 4 | Chart Generation | Tasks 1, 2, 3 + external data | 25-35 PNG/JPG charts |
| 5 | Report Assembly | ALL previous tasks (1-4) | 30-50 page DOCX report |
---
How to Use This Skill
User Request Patterns and Responses
Pattern 1: User specifies a specific task
User: "Use initiating-coverage, Task 1 for Tesla"
Response: ✅ Execute Task 1 immediatelyPattern 2: User asks for "initiation report" or "full pipeline"
User: "Create a coverage initiation report for Tesla"
Response: ❌ DO NOT start any task automatically
✅ Ask which task to start with (see template above)Pattern 3: User wants to do "all tasks" or "entire workflow"
User: "I want to complete all 5 tasks for Tesla"
Response: ❌ DO NOT chain tasks together
✅ Explain one-at-a-time limitation (see template above)
✅ Ask if they want to start with Task 1Correct Usage Examples
Executing a single task:
"Use initiating-coverage skill, Task 1 for Tesla"
"Do Task 2 of initiating-coverage for Tesla"
"Run Task 3 for Tesla using the initiating-coverage skill"Completing full report (requires 5 separate requests):
Request 1: "Do Task 1 for Tesla" → Complete → Deliver outputs
Request 2: "Do Task 2 for Tesla" → Complete → Deliver outputs
Request 3: "Do Task 3 for Tesla" → Complete → Deliver outputs
Request 4: "Do Task 4 for Tesla" → Complete → Deliver outputs
Request 5: "Do Task 5 for Tesla" → Complete → Deliver outputsTask Execution Order
For a complete initiation report, tasks must be executed in separate user requests following this order:
Request 1: Task 1 - Company Research (independent)
↓ [User reviews outputs and requests next task]
Request 2: Task 2 - Financial Modeling (independent)
↓ [User reviews outputs and requests next task]
Request 3: Task 3 - Valuation Analysis (requires Task 2 output)
↓ [User reviews outputs and requests next task]
Request 4: Task 4 - Chart Generation (requires Tasks 2 & 3 outputs)
↓ [User reviews outputs and requests next task]
Request 5: Task 5 - Report Assembly (requires ALL previous task outputs)Note: Tasks 1 and 2 can be run in any order. Tasks 3-5 have strict dependencies and must verify inputs before proceeding.
---
Task 1: Company Research
Purpose: Research company's business, management, competitive position, industry, and risks.
Prerequisites: ✅ None (fully independent)
- Company name or ticker symbol
Process: 1. Verify company name/ticker provided 2. Load detailed instructions from references/task1-company-research.md 3. Execute qualitative research workflow 4. Deliver research document
Output: Company Research Document (6,000-8,000 words)
- Company overview & history
- Management bios (300-400 words × 3-4 execs)
- Products & services analysis
- Industry overview
- Competitive analysis (5-10 competitors)
- TAM sizing
- Risk assessment (8-12 risks)
File name: [Company]_Research_Document_[Date].md
⚠️ DELIVER ONLY THIS 1 FILE. NO completion summaries, no extra documents.
⚠️ DO NOT TAKE SHORTCUTS:
- ✅ Write full 6,000-8,000 words (not summaries)
- ✅ Complete 300-400 word bios for ALL 3-4 executives
- ✅ Analyze ALL 5-10 competitors thoroughly
- ✅ Cover all 8-12 risks across 4 categories
- ❌ Do not abbreviate sections to save time
- ❌ Do not skip any required sections
Verification before proceeding: None required for this task.
---
Task 2: Financial Modeling
Purpose: Extract historical financials and build comprehensive Excel financial model with projections and scenarios.
Prerequisites: ⚠️ Verify before starting
- Required: Access to company financial data
- For public companies: Latest 10-K from SEC EDGAR
- For private companies: Financial statements or available estimates
- OR: Pre-extracted historical financials provided by user
- Optional: Company research (Task 1) for business context
Input Verification:
BEFORE STARTING - Select approach:
Option A: Extract financials (most common)
- [ ] Have access to 10-K or financial statements?
- [ ] Ready to extract 3-5 years of data?
Option B: User provided pre-extracted financials
- [ ] Historical financials file received?
- [ ] Contains income statement, cash flow, balance sheet (3-5 years)?
Optional:
- [ ] Company research (Task 1) complete for context?Process: 1. Verify access to financial data 2. Load detailed instructions from references/task2-financial-modeling.md 3. Step 1: Extract historical financials (if needed) 4. Step 2+: Build projection model with 6 essential tabs 5. Deliver Excel model
Output: Excel Financial Model (.xlsx)
- 6 essential tabs:
1. Revenue Model - Product breakdown (20-30 rows) + Geography breakdown (15-20 rows) 2. Income Statement - Full P&L with 40-50 line items, historical (3-5 years) + projected (5 years) 3. Cash Flow Statement - Operating/Investing/Financing activities, historical + projected 4. Balance Sheet - Assets/Liabilities/Equity, historical + projected 5. Scenarios - Bull/Base/Bear comparison table 6. DCF Inputs - Prepared for Task 3 valuation
File name: [Company]_Financial_Model_[Date].xlsx
⚠️ DELIVER ONLY THIS 1 FILE. NO completion summaries, no extra documents.
⚠️ DO NOT TAKE SHORTCUTS:
- ✅ If extracting financials: Extract ALL line items from 3 financial statements (3-5 years)
- ✅ Build ALL 6 projection tabs completely with full detail
- ✅ Create detailed revenue model with 20-30 product rows AND 15-20 geography rows
- ✅ Build complete income statement with 40-50 line items (not abbreviated)
- ✅ Include full cash flow statement and balance sheet with all line items
- ✅ Complete ALL three scenarios (Bull/Base/Bear) with different parameters
- ❌ Do not create simplified/abbreviated versions
- ❌ Do not skip any of the 6 essential tabs
- ❌ Do not skip historical financials extraction if needed
Verification before proceeding to Task 3:
- [ ] Historical financials extracted (if needed) or provided
- [ ] Excel file created and can be opened
- [ ] Model has all 6 essential tabs (Revenue Model, Income Statement, Cash Flow, Balance Sheet, Scenarios, DCF Inputs)
- [ ] Historical data (3-5 years) incorporated
- [ ] Projections complete (5 years forward)
- [ ] Scenarios complete (Bull/Base/Bear)
---
Task 3: Valuation Analysis
Purpose: Perform comprehensive valuation using DCF, comparables, and precedent transactions.
Prerequisites: ⚠️ Verify before starting
- Required: Financial model from Task 2
- Projected income statements
- Projected cash flows
- Revenue and EBITDA forecasts
- DCF inputs (unlevered FCF)
⚠️ CRITICAL: DO NOT START THIS TASK UNLESS TASK 2 IS COMPLETE
This task requires the financial model from Task 2. Starting without it will result in incomplete work.
IF TASK 2 IS NOT COMPLETE: Stop immediately and inform the user that Task 2 (Financial Modeling) must be completed first. Do not attempt to proceed or create placeholder valuations.
Input Verification:
BEFORE STARTING:
- [ ] Task 2 complete? (Financial model exists)
- [ ] Model file path/location known?
- [ ] Can access projected financials from model?
Required from model:
- [ ] Projected FCF (5 years)
- [ ] Revenue projections
- [ ] EBITDA projections
- [ ] Terminal year metricsProcess: 1. Verify financial model is accessible 2. Load detailed instructions from references/task3-valuation.md 3. Execute valuation workflow 4. Deliver valuation analysis
Output: Valuation Analysis (4-6 pages + Excel tabs)
- DCF analysis with sensitivity tables
- Comparable companies (5-10 peers with statistical summary)
- Precedent transactions (if applicable)
- Valuation football field
- Price target: $XX.XX
- Recommendation: BUY/HOLD/SELL
- Upside: XX%
- Key catalysts (3-5)
Files:
[Company]_Valuation_Analysis_[Date].md(written analysis document)- Excel tabs added to
[Company]_Financial_Model_[Date].xlsx(from Task 2) - DCF tab with calculations
- Sensitivity analysis tab
- Comparable companies tab
- Valuation summary tab
⚠️ DELIVER ONLY: 1 markdown file + 4 tabs added to existing Excel. NO completion summaries, no extra documents.
⚠️ DO NOT TAKE SHORTCUTS:
- ✅ Complete full DCF analysis with sensitivity matrix (not simplified)
- ✅ Analyze ALL 5-10 comparable companies with full data
- ✅ Include statistical summary in comps table (max/75th/median/25th/min)
- ✅ Create complete sensitivity analysis tab with multiple WACC and terminal growth scenarios
- ✅ Write full 4-6 pages of valuation analysis (not abbreviated)
- ✅ Research and justify price target with specific methodology
- ❌ Do not skip comparable company analysis
- ❌ Do not create simplified DCF without sensitivity
Verification before proceeding to Task 4:
- [ ] Price target determined
- [ ] Valuation uses multiple methods (DCF + Comps minimum)
- [ ] DCF sensitivity table complete
- [ ] Comparable companies table includes statistical summary
---
Task 4: Chart Generation
Purpose: Generate 25-35 professional financial charts for the report.
Prerequisites: ⚠️ Verify before starting
- Required: Company research from Task 1
- Company history and milestones (for timeline charts)
- Management team and org structure (for org charts)
- Product portfolio (for product charts)
- Customer segmentation (for customer charts)
- Competitive landscape (for competitive charts)
- TAM analysis (for market size charts)
- Required: Financial model from Task 2 (with Task 3 valuation tabs added)
- Revenue by product/geography data (Task 2 tabs)
- Margin trends (Task 2 tabs)
- Scenario comparison data (Task 2 tabs)
- DCF sensitivity table (Task 3 tab in same Excel file)
- Comparable companies data (Task 3 tab in same Excel file)
- Valuation ranges (Task 3 tab in same Excel file)
- Required: External market data
- Historical stock price data (Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg, etc.)
- Historical valuation multiples (for historical trend charts)
⚠️ CRITICAL: DO NOT START THIS TASK UNLESS TASKS 1, 2, AND 3 ARE COMPLETE
This task requires outputs from all three previous tasks. Starting without them will result in incomplete charts.
IF ANY OF TASKS 1, 2, OR 3 ARE NOT COMPLETE: Stop immediately and inform the user which tasks need to be completed first. The specific requirements are:
- Task 1: Company research document (for 9 charts)
- Task 2: Financial model with all 6 tabs (for 8 charts)
- Task 3: Valuation tabs added to the model (for 6 charts)
- External data access (for 2 charts)
Do not attempt to create placeholder charts or skip charts due to missing data.
Input Verification:
BEFORE STARTING:
- [ ] Task 1 complete? (Company research exists)
- [ ] Task 2 complete? (Financial model exists)
- [ ] Task 3 complete? (Valuation analysis exists)
- [ ] Can access external market data sources?
Required from Task 1:
- [ ] Company history and milestones (for charts 05, 06)
- [ ] Management team structure (for chart 07)
- [ ] Product portfolio details (for chart 08)
- [ ] Customer segmentation data (for chart 09)
- [ ] Competitive landscape analysis (for charts 16, 17, 18)
- [ ] TAM sizing and market data (for chart 15)
Required from Task 2:
- [ ] Revenue by product (historical + projected) - for chart 03 ⭐
- [ ] Revenue by geography (historical + projected) - for chart 04 ⭐
- [ ] Income statement with margins (for charts 02, 10, 11)
- [ ] Cash flow statement (for chart 12)
- [ ] Scenario comparison data (for chart 14)
Required from Task 3:
- [ ] DCF sensitivity matrix - for chart 28 ⭐
- [ ] DCF components (for chart 29)
- [ ] Comparable companies data (for charts 30, 31)
- [ ] Valuation ranges - for chart 32 ⭐
Required from External Sources:
- [ ] Historical stock price data (for chart 01)
- [ ] Historical valuation multiples (for chart 34)Process: 1. Verify model and valuation outputs are accessible 2. Load detailed instructions from references/task4-chart-generation.md 3. Execute chart generation workflow 4. Package all charts into a zip file 5. Deliver zip file
Output: 25-35 Professional Chart Files (PNG/JPG, 300 DPI) packaged in zip
4 MANDATORY Charts (must be present) ⭐:
- chart_03: Revenue by product (stacked area)
- chart_04: Revenue by geography (stacked bar)
- chart_28: DCF sensitivity (2-way heatmap)
- chart_32: Valuation football field (horizontal bars)
25 REQUIRED Charts (specific list):
- Investment Summary: chart_01
- Financial Performance: charts 02, 03⭐, 04⭐, 10, 11, 12, 14
- Company 101: charts 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 15, 16
- Competitive/Market: charts 17, 18
- Scenario Analysis: chart 13
- Valuation: charts 28⭐, 29, 30, 31, 32⭐, 33, 34
10 OPTIONAL Charts (for 26-35 range):
- charts 19-27, 35 (customer acquisition, unit economics, product roadmap, etc.)
IMPORTANT: Task 5 embeds ALL charts created (25-35) for visual density (1 chart per 200-300 words).
File naming: chart_01_description.png, chart_02_description.png, etc.
Deliverable: [Company]_Charts_[Date].zip containing all 25-35 chart files + chart_index.txt
⚠️ DELIVER ONLY THIS 1 ZIP FILE. NO completion summaries, no separate chart lists, no extra documents.
⚠️ DO NOT TAKE SHORTCUTS:
- ✅ Create ALL 25 required charts minimum (specific list provided in task4-chart-generation.md)
- ✅ Include ALL 4 mandatory charts:
- chart_03: Revenue by product (stacked area) ⭐
- chart_04: Revenue by geography (stacked bar) ⭐
- chart_28: DCF sensitivity (heatmap) ⭐
- chart_32: Valuation football field ⭐
- ✅ Optional: Add 1-10 more charts to reach 26-35 total for greater visual density
- ✅ Generate professional-quality charts at 300 DPI (not low-res placeholders)
- ✅ Create unique, well-formatted charts for each visualization
- ✅ Package all charts in zip file with chart index
- ❌ Do not create only 10-15 charts (minimum is 25)
- ❌ Do not skip any of the 4 mandatory charts
- ❌ Do not use low-quality/placeholder images
Verification before proceeding to Task 5:
- [ ] Minimum 25 chart files created (required)
- [ ] All 4 mandatory charts present:
- [ ] chart_03: Revenue by product ⭐
- [ ] chart_04: Revenue by geography ⭐
- [ ] chart_28: DCF sensitivity ⭐
- [ ] chart_32: Valuation football field ⭐
- [ ] All charts open and display correctly
- [ ] Charts saved at 300 DPI (print quality)
- [ ] Chart index created listing all files with categories
- [ ] All charts packaged in zip file
- [ ] File naming follows convention: chart_##_description.png
---
Task 5: Report Assembly
Purpose: Write and assemble the comprehensive final DOCX report.
Prerequisites: ⚠️ Verify before starting
- Required: Company research from Task 1
- All 6-8K words of content
- Management bios
- Competitive analysis
- Risk assessment
- Required: Financial model from Task 2
- Excel workbook
- All projections and scenarios
- Required: Valuation analysis from Task 3
- Price target and recommendation
- DCF, comps, precedent transactions
- All valuation data
- Required: Chart files from Task 4
- Zip file containing all 25-35 PNG/JPG files
- Chart index included in zip
⚠️ CRITICAL: DO NOT START THIS TASK UNLESS ALL TASKS 1-4 ARE COMPLETE
This is the final assembly task. It cannot be completed without all previous work products.
IF ANY OF TASKS 1, 2, 3, OR 4 ARE NOT COMPLETE: Stop immediately and inform the user which tasks need to be completed first. The specific requirements are:
- Task 1: Company research document (6-8K words)
- Task 2: Financial model with all 6 tabs
- Task 3: Valuation analysis with price target and recommendation
- Task 4: Charts zip file with 25-35 charts
Do not attempt to create placeholder content, substitute missing sections, or assemble an incomplete report. The report requires ALL inputs to be publication-ready.
Input Verification:
BEFORE STARTING - ALL TASKS MUST BE COMPLETE:
Task 1 Verification:
- [ ] Company research document exists? (6-8K words)
- [ ] Management bios complete? (300-400 words × 3-4 execs)
- [ ] Competitive analysis complete? (5-10 competitors)
- [ ] Risk assessment complete? (8-12 risks)
Task 2 Verification:
- [ ] Financial model exists and can be opened?
- [ ] Model has projections (5 years)?
- [ ] Scenarios exist (Bull/Base/Bear)?
Task 3 Verification:
- [ ] Valuation analysis complete?
- [ ] Price target determined?
- [ ] Recommendation set? (BUY/HOLD/SELL)
- [ ] DCF and comps complete?
Task 4 Verification:
- [ ] Chart zip file exists?
- [ ] Can extract/access all 25-35 chart files from zip?
- [ ] All 4 mandatory charts present?
- [ ] Revenue by product (stacked area)
- [ ] Revenue by geography (stacked bar)
- [ ] DCF sensitivity (heatmap)
- [ ] Valuation football field
- [ ] Chart files accessible and can be opened?
IF ANY VERIFICATION FAILS: Stop and complete missing task first.Process: 1. CRITICAL: Verify ALL prerequisites before starting 2. Load detailed instructions from references/task5-report-assembly.md 3. Execute report assembly workflow using Claude's built-in skills:
- Use DOCX skill to create and manipulate the Word document
- Use XLSX skill to read Excel data from Task 2/3
- Use Read tool to read Task 1 and Task 3 markdown files
- Read Task 1 .md file → Convert to Word formatting → Insert charts inline
- Read Task 2 .xlsx file → Extract tables → Write quantitative analysis
- Read Task 3 .md file + Excel tabs → Copy/adapt valuation analysis
- Insert Task 4 .png chart files throughout using DOCX skill
- Create text-dense report with charts interspersed every 200-300 words
4. Save and deliver final DOCX report
Key Principles:
- Use Claude's DOCX and XLSX skills (NOT Python libraries)
- Use actual file operations (read .md/.xlsx/.png files, write .docx file)
- Good equity research reports are text-dense with lots of illustrating images (60-80% page coverage, 1+ chart per page)
🔥 CRITICAL: GO ALL OUT ON THIS TASK
THIS IS THE FINAL DELIVERABLE. DO NOT TAKE SHORTCUTS.
- ✅ Use full token budget - This is the culmination of all previous work
- ✅ Write every section completely - Do not summarize or abbreviate
- ✅ Hit ALL minimum requirements - 30+ pages, 10,000+ words, 25+ charts, 12+ tables
- ✅ Be thorough on projection assumptions - 2,000-3,000 words with product-by-product detail
- ✅ Be comprehensive on scenarios - 1,500-2,000 words with specific Bull/Base/Bear parameters
- ✅ Insert ALL charts from Task 4 - Not just a few, ALL 25-35 charts throughout
- ✅ Create ALL tables from Task 2/3 - Extract every financial table, don't skip any
- ✅ Use Task 1 content verbatim - Copy/paste full Company 101 sections (6-8K words)
- ✅ Professional quality only - This must be indistinguishable from JPMorgan/Goldman Sachs research
NEVER:
- ❌ "This section would include..." - WRITE THE ACTUAL SECTION
- ❌ "Charts would be inserted here..." - INSERT THE ACTUAL CHARTS
- ❌ "See financial model for details..." - EXTRACT AND INCLUDE THE DETAILS
- ❌ Skip sections due to length - Every section MUST be complete
- ❌ Abbreviate for token conservation - Use whatever tokens are needed
This is publication-ready institutional research. Spare no effort, tokens, or detail.
Output: Comprehensive Equity Research Report (.docx)
Specifications:
- Length: 30-50 pages (MINIMUM 30)
- Word count: 10,000-15,000 words (MINIMUM 10,000)
- Charts: 25-35 embedded images
- Tables: 12-20 comprehensive tables
- Format: Professional DOCX with clickable hyperlinks
Structure:
- Page 1: Investment Summary (INITIATING COVERAGE format)
- Pages 2-5: Investment thesis & risks
- Pages 6-17: Company 101
- Pages 18-30: Financial analysis & projections
- Pages 31-40: Valuation analysis
- Pages 41-50: Appendices
File name: [Company]_Initiation_Report_[Date].docx
⚠️ DELIVER ONLY THIS 1 DOCX FILE. NO executive summaries, no "highlights" documents, no extra files.
Final Verification:
- [ ] Report is 30-50 pages
- [ ] Word count is 10,000-15,000
- [ ] 25-35 charts embedded
- [ ] 12-20 tables included
- [ ] All citations are clickable hyperlinks
- [ ] Numbers match financial model exactly
---
Input Verification Protocol
Why Input Verification Matters
Each task has strict prerequisites. Running a task without required inputs will:
- Waste time with incomplete work
- Produce low-quality outputs
- Require rework
Always verify inputs before starting a task.
Verification Checklist by Task
Task 1: ✅ No verification needed (independent)
Task 2: Check historical financials available
Task 3: Check financial model exists and is accessible
Task 4: Check both model (Task 2) AND valuation (Task 3) exist
Task 5: Check ALL previous tasks complete (1, 2, 3, 4)
What to Do if Verification Fails
IF prerequisites are missing:
1. Stop the current task
2. Identify which prerequisite task(s) need to be completed
3. Execute the missing task(s) first
4. Return to current task once prerequisites are metExample Verification Dialogue
User: "Use initiating-coverage, Task 5 for Tesla"
Claude: "Starting Task 5: Report Assembly for Tesla
VERIFICATION - Checking prerequisites:
- Task 1 (Company research)... ❌ NOT FOUND
- Task 2 (Financial model)... ❌ NOT FOUND
- Task 3 (Valuation)... ❌ NOT FOUND
- Task 4 (Charts)... ❌ NOT FOUND
⚠️ VERIFICATION FAILED
Task 5 requires ALL previous tasks to be complete.
To proceed:
1. Complete Task 1: Company Research
2. Complete Task 2: Financial Modeling
3. Complete Task 3: Valuation Analysis
4. Complete Task 4: Chart Generation
5. Then return to Task 5
Would you like to start with Task 1 first?"---
Task Reference Files
Detailed instructions for each task are in separate reference files to keep this skill lean:
- references/task1-company-research.md - Company research workflow
- references/task2-financial-modeling.md - Financial modeling workflow
- references/task3-valuation.md - Valuation methodology
- Also see: references/valuation-methodologies.md for DCF/comps deep dive
- references/task4-chart-generation.md - Chart generation workflow
- references/task5-report-assembly.md - Report writing workflow
- Also see: assets/report-template.md for report structure
- Also see: assets/quality-checklist.md for quality checks
When to load reference files: Load ONLY the reference file associated with the specific task being performed. These files are very large - do not load multiple reference files at once. Read the appropriate task reference file at the start of the task for detailed step-by-step instructions.
---
Quality Standards
All outputs meet institutional standards from leading investment banks (JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley):
- Comprehensive: Meet all minimum requirements
- Detailed: Specific data and examples, not generic statements
- Quantified: Lead with numbers and metrics
- Cited: Proper sources with clickable hyperlinks
- Professional: Institutional-quality formatting
- Accurate: All numbers verified and cross-checked
---
Important Notes
Task Independence
- Task 1 can run anytime (no dependencies)
- Task 2 can run anytime (just needs historical data)
- Tasks 1 & 2 can run in parallel
- Task 3 requires Task 2
- Task 4 requires Tasks 2 & 3
- Task 5 requires Tasks 1, 2, 3, & 4
Session Management
Same session: Outputs automatically available to subsequent tasks
Different sessions: Reference previous task outputs explicitly
"Use Task 3 with the model from yesterday at [path]"
"Use Task 5 with the research document at [path]"File Organization
Recommended structure during workflow:
ProjectFolder/
├── Task1_Research/
│ └── [Company]_Research_Document.md
├── Task2_Model/
│ └── [Company]_Financial_Model.xlsx
├── Task3_Valuation/
│ └── [Company]_Valuation_Analysis.pdf
├── Task4_Charts/
│ ├── chart_01.png
│ └── ... (25-35 files)
└── Task5_Report/
└── [Company]_Initiation_Report.docxNo End-to-End Execution
This skill does NOT support running all tasks automatically in sequence. Each task must be explicitly requested and verified.
Why: This ensures:
- Quality control at each stage
- Ability to review outputs before proceeding
- Flexibility to pause/resume workflow
- Clear verification of prerequisites
---
Success Criteria
A successful initiation report workflow should: 1. Complete all 5 tasks in order 2. Pass all input verifications 3. Meet all quality standards 4. Produce all required deliverables 5. Numbers cross-check between outputs 6. Final report is publication-ready
Output quality: Institutional (JPMorgan/Goldman/Morgan Stanley level) Use case: First-time comprehensive coverage of a company
Quality Control Checklist for Initiation Reports
Before delivering an initiation report, verify all items below are complete.
Critical Minimums - Reports Must Meet These
CRITICAL DO NOT DELIVER IF:
- ❌ DOCX report fewer than 30 pages → INCOMPLETE
- ❌ Fewer than 25 embedded charts → INCOMPLETE
- ❌ Fewer than 12 comprehensive tables → INCOMPLETE
- ❌ Fewer than 10,000 words → INCOMPLETE
- ❌ No XLS financial model → MISSING DELIVERABLE
- ❌ Charts are text descriptions, not actual PNG/JPG files → MAJOR FAILURE
Deliverables Checklist
- [ ] DOCX report file created
- [ ] XLS financial model file created
- [ ] Both files named properly:
[Company]_Initiation_Report_[Date].docxand[Company]_Financial_Model_[Date].xlsx
DOCX Report - Length & Content
Length Verification:
- [ ] Report is 30-50 pages (count pages in final document)
- [ ] Word count is 10,000-15,000 words
- [ ] If under 30 pages: STOP and add more content
Visual Elements:
- [ ] 25-35 charts embedded (count them: _____ charts)
- [ ] All charts are actual PNG/JPG image files (NOT text descriptions)
- [ ] 12-20 comprehensive tables included (count them: _____ tables)
- [ ] Charts and tables interspersed throughout, not grouped at end
Chart Requirements:
- [ ] Revenue by product chart: Stacked Area format ✓
- [ ] Revenue by geography chart: Stacked Bar format ✓
- [ ] DCF sensitivity: 2-way Heat Map with color coding ✓
- [ ] Valuation football field: Horizontal bar chart ✓
- [ ] All other charts are actual image files ✓
Table Requirements:
- [ ] Full Income Statement (40-50 rows) with 5 years historical + 5 years projected
- [ ] Full Cash Flow Statement (30-40 rows)
- [ ] Full Balance Sheet (35-45 rows)
- [ ] Revenue by product table (20-30 rows)
- [ ] Revenue by geography table (15-20 rows)
- [ ] Revenue by channel table (10-15 rows)
- [ ] Comparable companies table with statistical summary (max/75th/median/25th/min)
- [ ] DCF calculation table (30-40 rows)
- [ ] WACC calculation table (8-10 rows)
- [ ] Two sensitivity tables
- [ ] 2-3 additional financial/competitive tables
DOCX Report - Structure
Page 1 Requirements:
- [ ] "INITIATING COVERAGE" header present (NOT "Company Update")
- [ ] Thesis-focused title (NOT event-driven like "Strong Q4 Results")
- [ ] Rating box with rating, price, target price, 52-week range, market cap, EV
- [ ] 3-4 paragraph-length bullets with ■ character and bold headers
- [ ] Financial & valuation metrics table with 2-3 years historical, 2 years projected
- [ ] Table shows "A" suffix for actuals, "E" suffix for estimates
- [ ] Source lines on all visuals
Content Sections:
- [ ] Table of Contents (Page 2)
- [ ] Investment Thesis & Risks (3-5 pages)
- [ ] Company Overview (6-12 pages) including:
- [ ] Company description
- [ ] History and milestones
- [ ] Management bios (300-400 words EACH for 3-4 executives)
- [ ] Products/services detail
- [ ] Competitive landscape
- [ ] Financial Analysis & Projections (10-15 pages)
- [ ] Valuation Analysis (8-12 pages)
- [ ] Assumptions section (2,000-3,000 words documenting ALL projection assumptions)
- [ ] Scenario Analysis (1,500-2,000 words with Bull/Base/Bear parameters)
- [ ] Appendices including Data Sources & References page
DOCX Report - Formatting
Figure & Table Formatting:
- [ ] Every figure has caption above: "Figure X - [Company] [Descriptive Title]"
- [ ] Every figure has source line below: "Source: [Specific sources with dates]"
- [ ] Sequential figure numbering (Figure 1, 2, 3... no gaps)
- [ ] Every table has header row with shading
- [ ] Every table has source line at bottom
- [ ] All years use "A" for actual, "E" for estimate notation
Professional Formatting:
- [ ] Consistent fonts throughout (Calibri, Arial, or similar)
- [ ] Headers and footers with page numbers
- [ ] Dense layout: 60-80% page coverage, minimal white space
- [ ] Every page has both text AND visuals (charts or tables)
- [ ] Professional business report template used
Citations & Sources ⭐⭐⭐ CRITICAL
Source Attribution:
- [ ] Every figure has specific source with document name and date
- [ ] Every table has specific source with document reference
- [ ] Key statistics throughout text have footnotes with sources
- [ ] NOT just generic "Company data" - must be specific
Hyperlinks: ⭐⭐⭐ MANDATORY
- [ ] ALL URLs are CLICKABLE HYPERLINKS (not plain text)
- [ ] SEC filings hyperlinked to EDGAR viewer
- [ ] Earnings transcripts hyperlinked (Seeking Alpha or company IR)
- [ ] Press releases hyperlinked to company IR page
- [ ] Presentations hyperlinked to PDF URLs
- [ ] Industry reports hyperlinked (if publicly available)
- [ ] Subscription data (Bloomberg, FactSet) noted as "(subscription required)"
- [ ] No raw URLs displayed anywhere - all formatted as hyperlinks
- [ ] Test 3-5 sample hyperlinks to ensure they work (Ctrl+Click)
Reference Page:
- [ ] "Data Sources & References" page at end of report
- [ ] Lists ALL sources used in report
- [ ] Sources organized by category (SEC Filings, Earnings Transcripts, etc.)
- [ ] Every source has date
- [ ] Every source has clickable hyperlink (where applicable)
XLS Financial Model - Structure
File Structure:
- [ ] 15+ tabs in Excel workbook
- [ ] Tabs include: Executive Summary, Assumptions, Historical Financials, Revenue Model, Operating Expenses, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, Supporting Schedules, DCF Valuation, Comps Analysis, Precedent Transactions, Scenarios, Sensitivity Analysis, Charts
Formatting:
- [ ] Blue text for hardcoded inputs
- [ ] Black text for formulas
- [ ] Green text for links to other sheets
- [ ] Professional formatting with borders and shading
- [ ] Clear section headers and labels
Model Functionality:
- [ ] All numbers flow (change assumption → entire model updates)
- [ ] DCF links to assumptions and projections
- [ ] No circular references or errors
- [ ] All important cells/ranges are named
- [ ] Sensitivity tables work dynamically
XLS Financial Model - Content
Projections:
- [ ] 3-5 years historical data
- [ ] 5 years forward projections (FY+1 through FY+5)
- [ ] Revenue broken down by product, geography, channel
- [ ] Full P&L with 40-50 line items
- [ ] Full cash flow with 30-40 line items
- [ ] Full balance sheet with 35-45 line items
Valuation:
- [ ] Complete DCF model with all calculations shown
- [ ] WACC calculation with all components
- [ ] Terminal value calculation
- [ ] Comparable companies analysis (5-10 companies)
- [ ] Precedent transactions analysis (5-10 deals)
- [ ] Scenario analysis (Bull/Base/Bear)
- [ ] Two sensitivity tables
Cross-File Consistency
CRITICAL: Numbers must match EXACTLY between DOCX and XLS
- [ ] Revenue numbers match across both files
- [ ] EPS numbers match across both files
- [ ] Margin percentages match across both files
- [ ] Valuation numbers match across both files
- [ ] Price target matches across both files
- [ ] All projected years match across both files
Verification Method: Spot check 10-15 key numbers between DOCX report and XLS model.
Content Quality
Investment Thesis:
- [ ] 3-5 clear thesis pillars
- [ ] Each pillar supported with specific data and quantification
- [ ] Financial impact quantified for each pillar
- [ ] Catalysts identified with timelines
Analysis Depth:
- [ ] Comprehensive business model analysis
- [ ] Detailed competitive assessment
- [ ] 3-5 year financial trends analyzed
- [ ] 8-12 risks identified and quantified
- [ ] Management team analyzed (300-400 words per executive)
Assumptions:
- [ ] 2,000-3,000 words documenting ALL assumptions
- [ ] Revenue growth assumptions by category/geography
- [ ] Margin assumptions with bridge showing drivers
- [ ] Working capital assumptions
- [ ] CapEx assumptions
- [ ] Each assumption has specific quantification
Scenarios:
- [ ] 1,500-2,000 words on scenario analysis
- [ ] Bull case with specific parameters and catalysts
- [ ] Base case with detailed rationale
- [ ] Bear case with specific triggers
- [ ] Probability assessments for each scenario
Writing Quality
Style:
- [ ] Lead with numbers ("Revenue grew 15% to $1.2B" not "Strong revenue")
- [ ] Use "vs." not "versus"
- [ ] Be direct and concise
- [ ] Professional institutional tone throughout
- [ ] No informal language
Accuracy:
- [ ] No typos in ticker symbol
- [ ] No typos in company name
- [ ] All dates accurate
- [ ] All calculations verified
- [ ] Charts match text descriptions
- [ ] All numbers properly formatted ($ signs, % signs, commas)
Pre-Delivery Final Check
Run through this quick final review:
1. Deliverables: Both DOCX and XLS files created ✓ 2. Length: DOCX is 30-50 pages ✓ 3. Charts: 25-35 actual PNG/JPG files embedded ✓ 4. Tables: 12-20 comprehensive tables included ✓ 5. Words: 10,000-15,000 words ✓ 6. Hyperlinks: Test 3-5 hyperlinks - all work ✓ 7. Cross-check: Spot check 10 numbers match between DOCX and XLS ✓ 8. Page 1: "INITIATING COVERAGE" header present ✓
If ANY item fails, DO NOT DELIVER. Go back and fix.
Actual Count Verification
Before delivery, fill in actual counts:
DOCX Report:
- Page count: _____ pages (MUST BE 30-50)
- Chart count: _____ charts (MUST BE 25-35)
- Table count: _____ tables (MUST BE 12-20)
- Word count: _____ words (MUST BE 10,000-15,000)
XLS Model:
- Tab count: _____ tabs (SHOULD BE 15+)
- Model years: _____ historical + _____ projected
If any count is below minimum, STOP and add content before delivery.
Equity Research Initiation Report Template
This template provides the structure for creating a comprehensive equity research initiation report. Use this as a guide when constructing the final report document.
NOTE: The actual report MUST be created using the DOCX skill. DO NOT generate markdown content.
CRITICAL REQUIREMENTS: 1. Generate 20-30+ chart images using Python (matplotlib/plotly) BEFORE creating the Word document 2. Use DOCX skill: Create professional report with proper styles, headers/footers, and formatting 3. Embed actual chart images: Insert the generated PNG/JPG chart files into the Word document at appropriate locations 4. NO MARKDOWN: Do not generate markdown content. Use DOCX skill to create a .docx file.
CRITICAL FORMATTING GUIDANCE:
- MAXIMUM DENSITY: Every page should be packed with information. Intersperse text, charts, and tables throughout.
- NO ORPHANED SECTIONS: Never have a section header alone or a single chart on its own page.
- 20-30+ ACTUAL CHART IMAGES: Generate charts as image files, then embed within text sections using DOCX skill.
---
PAGE 1: INVESTMENT UPDATE (MOST IMPORTANT PAGE)
CRITICAL: Page 1 is NOT a traditional executive summary. It is an Investment Update with a specific institutional format used by professional equity research firms.
IMPORTANT STRUCTURAL NOTES:
- This is an "Investment Update" or "Company Update" page, not "Executive Summary"
- Uses a rating box in top left corner
- Features stock price performance chart (Figure 1) prominently
- Contains 3-4 detailed bullet points with ■ character
- Each bullet has bold topic header followed by 3-5 sentence explanation
- Bottom section has financial and valuation metrics table
- All charts must have figure numbers (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.) with source lines
Layout Structure
TOP LEFT - RATING BOX:
Rating: [OUTPERFORM / NEUTRAL / UNDERWEIGHT / etc.]
Price ([Date]): $[XX.XX]
Target Price: $[XX.XX]
52-Week Range: $[XX.XX] - $[XX.XX]
Market Cap: $[XX.X]B
Enterprise Value: $[XX.X]BTOP LEFT - RESEARCH ANALYSTS:
[Name], [Credentials (Ph.D., CFA, M.D., etc.)]
[Email] | [Phone]
[Name 2], [Credentials]
[Email] | [Phone]TOP RIGHT - STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE:
Figure 1 - [Company Name] Stock Price Performance
[Line chart showing stock price over 12-24 months with benchmark comparison]
Source: Company data, [Firm Name] estimates.MAIN CONTENT - GRAY HEADER BAR:
[OUTPERFORM / NEUTRAL / etc.] RECOMMENDATION / COMPANY UPDATEMAIN CONTENT - DETAILED BULLETS (3-4 bullets):
Use ■ character for bullets. Each bullet follows this format:
■ **[Bold Topic Header capturing main point].** Regular text explanation providing 3-5 sentences of detail with specific numbers, comparisons, and analysis. Lead with numbers and quantification where possible. Use "vs." not "versus". Be specific and concrete.
■ **[Second Topic Header].** [3-5 sentences of detailed explanation...]
■ **[Third Topic Header].** [3-5 sentences of detailed explanation...]
■ **[Fourth Topic Header - Optional].** [3-5 sentences of detailed explanation...]EXAMPLE BULLET FORMAT:
■ **Vertical SaaS leadership and regulatory moat should enable $50bn+ TAM by 2030.**
Deep domain expertise in healthcare IT, strong customer retention (95%+ net revenue retention),
and cross-sell capabilities have driven Acme Health's market expansion. With the healthcare IT
market expected to reach $50bn+ by 2030, Acme Health is well-positioned to capture share given
its regulatory moat and high switching costs. Management has indicated that 70% of current
revenue comes from enterprise hospital systems, suggesting strong product-market fit.BOTTOM SECTION - FINANCIAL AND VALUATION METRICS TABLE:
[Year-3]A [Year-2]A [Year-1]A [Year]E [Year+1]E
Revenue ($M) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]
Revenue Growth (%) X.X% X.X% X.X% X.X% X.X%
Gross Margin (%) X.X% X.X% X.X% X.X% X.X%
EBITDA ($M) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]
EBITDA Margin (%) X.X% X.X% X.X% X.X% X.X%
EPS ($) X.XX X.XX X.XX X.XX X.XX
P/E (x) XX.Xx XX.Xx XX.Xx XX.Xx XX.Xx
EV/Revenue (x) X.Xx X.Xx X.Xx X.Xx X.Xx
EV/EBITDA (x) XX.Xx XX.Xx XX.Xx XX.Xx XX.Xx
Note: Use "A" suffix for actual/historical years, "E" suffix for estimated/projected years
Source: Company data, [Firm Name] estimates.---
FIGURE NUMBERING AND FORMATTING STANDARDS
CRITICAL: All charts, graphs, and tables must follow strict figure numbering conventions used in professional equity research.
Figure Numbering Format
Every chart/table must have: 1. Sequential numbering: Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, etc. (continue sequentially throughout entire report) 2. Descriptive title: "Figure X - [Company] [Specific Metric] [Type of Chart/Analysis]" 3. Source line (always at bottom): "Source: Company data, [Firm Name] estimates."
Examples:
- Figure 1 - [Company] Stock Price Performance
- Figure 2 - [Company] Historical and Projected Revenue Mix by Product
- Figure 3 - [Company] Revenue by Geographic Region
- Figure 4 - [Product Name] Revenue and Price per Patient per Year
- Figure 5 - [Company] Gross Margin Evolution
- Figure 6 - DCF Sensitivity Analysis ($/share)
- Figure 7 - Valuation Football Field
Caption Format
Figure X - [Descriptive Title]
[Chart/Table/Graph content]
Source: Company data, [Firm Name] estimates.For tables with multiple data sources:
Figure X - [Descriptive Title]
[Table content]
Source: Company filings, FactSet, [Firm Name] estimates.Placement Guidelines
- Figures should be numbered in order of appearance in the report
- First figure (Figure 1) is typically the stock price chart or revenue growth trajectory on Page 1
- Each figure must have its caption directly below the visual
- Source line should be in smaller font, italicized, at the very bottom of the figure
---
PAGE 2: TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary....................................................1
Investment Thesis & Risks..........................................3
Company Overview.......................................................6
Business Description & History................................6
Management & Ownership..........................................8
Products & Technology...........................................9
Customers & Go-to-Market......................................11
Growth Outlook & Drivers...........................................13
Financial Analysis & Performance.................................16
Historical Performance........................................16
Financial Projections.........................................19
Industry Overview & Competitive Landscape.....................21
Market Size & TAM..............................................21
Competitive Analysis..........................................23
Industry Trends................................................25
Valuation Analysis..................................................27
Appendices & Disclosures...........................................31---
PAGES 3-5: INVESTMENT THESIS & RISKS
LAYOUT PRINCIPLE: Intersperse text with 2-3 charts in this section. Each page should have both text AND graphics. Never have pages with text only or charts only.
Investment Thesis
[Thesis Pillar 1]: [Title - e.g., "Large and Growing TAM"]
[Opening sentence with key statistic]
[Paragraph 1: Market opportunity quantification]
- Current market size
- Growth drivers
- Company's positioning
[Paragraph 2: Why company will capture share]
- Competitive advantages
- Go-to-market strategy
- Early traction/proof points
[Paragraph 3: Financial impact]
- Revenue opportunity
- Margin profile
- Timeline
[EMBED CHART: TAM Growth Chart] - Stacked area chart showing market size evolution and company's opportunity
[Thesis Pillar 2]: [Title - e.g., "Differentiated Technology/Product"]
[Similar structure - 3 paragraphs covering the opportunity, competitive positioning, and financial impact]
[EMBED CHART: Competitive Positioning Matrix] - 2×2 chart showing company vs. competitors on key dimensions
[Thesis Pillar 3]: [Title - e.g., "Strong Execution and Management"]
[Similar structure]
[Add 2-3 more pillars as needed]
[EMBED CHART: Margin Expansion Pathway] - Waterfall or line chart showing path to margin improvement
Investment Risks
Company-Specific Risks
[Risk 1]: [Title - e.g., "Customer Concentration"] [Description of risk, quantification if possible, mitigating factors. 2-3 sentences.]
[Risk 2]: [Title - e.g., "Execution Risk on Product Roadmap"] [Description. 2-3 sentences.]
[Risk 3-5]: [Additional company-specific risks] [Continue with 3-5 total company risks]
Industry/Market Risks
[Risk 1]: [Title - e.g., "Regulatory Uncertainty"] [Description. 2-3 sentences.]
[Risk 2]: [Title - e.g., "Intense Competition"] [Description. 2-3 sentences.]
[Risk 3-4]: [Additional industry/market risks] [Continue with 2-4 total industry risks]
---
PAGES 8-19: COMPANY 101
Company Description (1 page)
Overview [3-4 paragraphs describing:
- What the company does (in plain English)
- How it makes money
- Who its customers are
- Geographic presence
- Scale/size metrics]
Business Model Diagram/Visual [Insert visual showing how the company creates value]
Company History (2-3 pages)
The Early Days: [Founding Story Title]
[Paragraph on founding: who, when, why, initial vision]
Timeline of Key Milestones
[Year]: [Founding event, initial funding]
[Year]: [Product launch, key milestone]
[Year]: [Major partnership, funding round]
[Year]: [Geographic expansion, new product]
[Year]: [Recent achievement][Major Turning Point or Pivot] [If applicable, describe any major strategic shifts]
[Company Name] Today: [Current State Title] [Paragraphs describing current position, recent developments, current strategy]
Management & Ownership (2 pages)
Key Executives
For each executive:
[Name] - [Title]
[Bio paragraph including:
- Current role and responsibilities
- Prior experience and track record
- Key accomplishments at company
- Education/credentials]Corporate Structure & Governance
- Entity type (C-Corp, PBC, etc.)
- Board composition
- Special governance features
- [Include governance diagram if applicable]
Ownership Structure [if disclosed]
- Major shareholders and ownership %
- Strategic investors
- Employee ownership
- Insider ownership trends
Core Technology/Products (2-3 pages)
Technology Overview [Description of core technology/platform]
Product Portfolio
For each major product:
[Product Name]
Description:
[What it does, key features]
Target Customers:
[Who uses it, use cases]
Pricing Model:
[How it's priced, typical contract values]
Competitive Positioning:
[How it compares to alternatives]
Traction:
[Customers, revenue, growth metrics]Product Roadmap [Future products/features in development]
Customers & Distribution (2-3 pages)
Customer Base
- Total customers: [number]
- Customer segments (Enterprise, Mid-Market, SMB)
- Geographic breakdown
- Customer case studies/testimonials
Go-to-Market Strategy
- Sales channels (direct, partner, etc.)
- Sales cycle and CAC
- Key partnerships for distribution
- Marketing strategy
Customer Economics
- LTV/CAC ratio
- Net retention rate
- Churn rates
- Expansion rates
---
PAGES 20-22: GROWTH OUTLOOK
Growth Framework Overview
Short-term Growth Drivers (1-2 years) 1. [Driver 1] 2. [Driver 2] 3. [Driver 3]
Medium-term Growth Drivers (3-5 years) 1. [Driver 1] 2. [Driver 2]
Detailed Growth Driver Analysis
[Growth Driver 1]: [Title]
Current State: [Baseline metrics, current performance]
Opportunity: [Market size, company positioning, growth potential]
Timeline & Milestones:
- Near-term (1-2 years): [Expected progress]
- Medium-term (3-5 years): [Expected progress]
Risks & Challenges: [What could prevent realization of this opportunity]
[Repeat for each major growth driver]
Financial Projections
Revenue Build-up [Visual showing how revenue grows from current to projected]
Scenario Analysis [Table or chart showing Bear/Base/Bull case projections]
---
PAGES 21-24: FINANCIAL ANALYSIS & PERFORMANCE
LAYOUT PRINCIPLE: This section should be VERY DENSE with 5-7 charts interspersed with financial tables. Each page should have multiple elements (table + 1-2 charts).
Historical Financial Analysis
Income Statement Highlights (3-5 Year History)
2021 2022 2023 2024 LTM
Revenue ($M) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]
Growth % - X% X% X% X%
Gross Profit ($M) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]
Margin % X% X% X% X% X%
EBITDA ($M) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]
Margin % X% X% X% X% X%
Net Income ($M) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]
Margin % X% X% X% X% X%
FCF ($M) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X][CHART 1: Revenue Growth Trajectory] Line chart showing historical revenue with annotations for key milestones. Include growth % labels on chart.
[CHART 2: REVENUE BY PRODUCT/SEGMENT] ⭐ CRITICAL Stacked area chart showing revenue composition by product line or business segment over time. This shows mix shift and which products are driving growth.
Example segments:
- Product A Revenue
- Product B Revenue
- Product C Revenue
- Services Revenue[CHART 3: REVENUE BY GEOGRAPHY] ⭐ CRITICAL Stacked bar chart showing revenue breakdown by geographic region over time.
Example regions:
- North America
- Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- Rest of WorldFinancial Performance Analysis
[CHART 4: Gross Margin Evolution] Line chart with annotations explaining margin drivers (scale, pricing, mix, etc.)
[CHART 5: Operating Margin Progression] Waterfall chart showing path from gross margin to operating margin, or line chart showing EBITDA margin trend
[CHART 6: Free Cash Flow Generation] Bar + line combo chart: Bars = FCF, Line = FCF margin %
[CHART 7: Key Operating Metrics Dashboard] Multi-panel chart showing 3-4 key metrics:
- Customer count or user growth
- ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) or ACV (Annual Contract Value)
- Customer cohort retention or net revenue retention
- LTV/CAC or magic number or other unit economic metric
Forward Projections (3-5 Years)
Projected Financial Model
2025E 2026E 2027E 2028E 2029E
Revenue ($M) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]
Growth % X% X% X% X% X%
Gross Profit ($M) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]
Margin % X% X% X% X% X%
EBITDA ($M) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]
Margin % X% X% X% X% X%
FCF ($M) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]
FCF Margin % X% X% X% X% X%Key Assumptions
- Revenue growth drivers and assumptions
- Margin progression assumptions
- CapEx as % of revenue
- Working capital assumptions
Charts:
- Revenue bridge showing growth drivers
- Margin waterfall showing path to profitability/margin expansion
- Free cash flow trajectory
Fundraising & Valuation [For Private Companies]
Fundraising History
Round Date Amount Valuation Lead Investor(s)
Seed [Date] $XM $XM [Investor]
Series A [Date] $XM $XM [Investor]
Series B [Date] $XM $XM [Investor]
[etc.]Valuation Evolution Chart [Visual showing valuation progression over time]
Current Valuation Metrics
- Latest valuation: $XXbn
- Implied valuation multiple: XX.Xx
- Comparison to public peers
---
PAGES 26-31: INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Industry Definition & Market Size
Industry Overview [2-3 paragraphs on:
- Industry definition and scope
- Current market size
- Historical growth rates
- Key trends and drivers]
Market Size Chart [Visual showing market growth from historical through projected]
Competitive Landscape
Competitive Positioning Matrix [2x2 chart showing company vs. competitors on key dimensions]
Competitive Comparison Table
Metric [Company] Comp A Comp B Comp C Comp D
Revenue ($B) [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]
Growth % X% X% X% X% X%
Market Share X% X% X% X% X%
Gross Margin X% X% X% X% X%
Key Differentiator [X] [X] [X] [X] [X]Competitive Analysis Narrative [2-3 paragraphs analyzing:
- Competitive strengths and weaknesses
- Market positioning
- Share gains/losses
- Competitive moats]
Total Addressable Market
TAM Calculation
Current TAM (2025): $XXbn
Projected TAM (2030): $XXbn
CAGR: XX%
Segmentation:
- [Segment A]: $XXbn
- [Segment B]: $XXbn
- [Segment C]: $XXbnTAM Growth Chart [Visual showing TAM expansion over time by segment]
Company's Market Opportunity
Total TAM (2030): $XXbn
Serviceable TAM: $XXbn
Company's Realistic Share: XX%
Implied Revenue Potential: $XXbnIndustry Dynamics
Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- Threat of new entrants: [High/Medium/Low] - [Explanation]
- Bargaining power of suppliers: [High/Medium/Low] - [Explanation]
- Bargaining power of buyers: [High/Medium/Low] - [Explanation]
- Threat of substitutes: [High/Medium/Low] - [Explanation]
- Industry rivalry: [High/Medium/Low] - [Explanation]
Key Industry Trends 1. [Trend 1]: [Description and impact] 2. [Trend 2]: [Description and impact] 3. [Trend 3]: [Description and impact]
---
PAGES 32-34: VALUATION ANALYSIS
Valuation Methodology Summary
Valuation Method Weight Implied Value Weighted Value
DCF Analysis 50% $XX - $YY $ZZ
Trading Comparables 30% $XX - $YY $ZZ
Precedent Transactions 20% $XX - $YY $ZZ
──── ───────────── ─────────
Weighted Average Price Target $AA - $BB $CCDCF Analysis
Key Assumptions
Revenue Growth (2025-2029): XX% CAGR
Terminal Growth Rate: X.X%
WACC: X.X%
Terminal Year EBITDA Margin: XX%Figure X - DCF Sensitivity Analysis ($/share)
CRITICAL FORMAT: DCF sensitivity must be shown as a 2-way heat map table with color coding.
Terminal Growth Rate
WACC 2.0% 2.5% 3.0% 3.5% 4.0%
8.0% $52 $55 $58 $62 $66
9.0% $48 $51 $54 $57 $61
10.0% $45 $47 $50 $53 $56
11.0% $42 $44 $47 $49 $52
12.0% $39 $41 $44 $46 $49
Color coding: Green (higher values) → Yellow (mid) → Red (lower values)
Source: [Firm Name] estimates.Scenario Analysis
Scenario Enterprise Value Equity Value Price/Share
Bear Case $XXbn $XXbn $XX
Base Case $XXbn $XXbn $XX
Bull Case $XXbn $XXbn $XXTrading Comparables
Figure X - Comparable Companies Analysis
CRITICAL FORMAT: Comp table must have two-part structure with statistical summary.
Part 1: Individual Company Data
Company Ticker Market EV/Rev EV/Rev EV/EBITDA EV/EBITDA Rev EBITDA
Cap($B) 2024E 2025E 2024E 2025E Growth Margin
Peer A PERA XX.X X.Xx X.Xx XX.X XX.X XX% XX%
Peer B PERB XX.X X.Xx X.Xx XX.X XX.X XX% XX%
Peer C PERC XX.X X.Xx X.Xx XX.X XX.X XX% XX%
Peer D PERD XX.X X.Xx X.Xx XX.X XX.X XX% XX%
[Company] COMP XX.X X.Xx X.Xx XX.X XX.X XX% XX%Part 2: Statistical Summary
Max XX.X X.Xx X.Xx XX.X XX.X XX% XX%
75th Percentile XX.X X.Xx X.Xx XX.X XX.X XX% XX%
Median XX.X X.Xx X.Xx XX.X XX.X XX% XX%
25th Percentile XX.X X.Xx X.Xx XX.X XX.X XX% XX%
Min XX.X X.Xx X.Xx XX.X XX.X XX% XX%
Source: FactSet, company filings, [Firm Name] estimates.Implied Valuation [Calculation showing application of peer multiples to company's metrics]
Precedent Transactions [If Applicable]
Figure X - Precedent Transaction Analysis
Date Target Acquirer Deal EV/Rev EV/EBITDA Premium
Value($B)
[MM/YYYY] [Company A] [Buyer A] X.X X.Xx XX.X XX%
[MM/YYYY] [Company B] [Buyer B] X.X X.Xx XX.X XX%
[MM/YYYY] [Company C] [Buyer C] X.X X.Xx XX.X XX%
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Median X.Xx XX.X XX%
Source: Capital IQ, company filings, [Firm Name] estimates.Control Premium Analysis [Discussion of typical premiums in the industry]
Valuation Summary
Figure X - Valuation Football Field
CRITICAL FORMAT: Football field must be a horizontal bar chart showing all valuation methods.
Valuation Method Low End ────── Range ────── High End
DCF Analysis $42 ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ $58
Trading Comps (NTM) $45 ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ $55
Precedent Trans. $48 ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ $60
↑
Current Price: $50
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Valuation Range: $42 $60
Color coding: Each method should have distinct color bar
Add vertical line showing current stock price
Source: [Firm Name] estimates.Price Target & Recommendation
Current Price: $XX.XX ([Date])
Price Target: $YY.YY
Upside/Downside: ZZ%
Recommendation: BUY / HOLD / SELL
Time Horizon: 12 months
Catalysts:
• [Near-term catalyst with timeframe]
• [Medium-term catalyst with timeframe]
• [Long-term catalyst with timeframe]---
PAGES 35+: APPENDICES & DISCLOSURES
Appendix A: Detailed Financial Model
[Reference to Excel model]
Appendix B: Management Bios
[Extended bios if not included in main text]
Appendix C: Product Detail
[Additional product information if needed]
Appendix D: Industry Data Sources
[List of sources used for industry analysis]
Required Disclosures
- Analyst certification
- Important disclosures
- Company-specific disclosures
- Legal entity disclosures
- Other regulatory disclosures
---
GRAPHICS & CHARTS TO INCLUDE
TARGET: 20-30+ charts throughout the report
CRITICAL PRINCIPLE: Charts should be embedded within text sections, NOT grouped on separate pages. Every page (except TOC) should have at least one chart or table.
Page 1 - Executive Summary (3 charts)
1. Revenue/ARR growth trajectory (line chart, historical + projected) 2. Key metrics dashboard (multi-panel chart) 3. Market positioning or margin progression
Pages 3-5 - Investment Thesis & Risks (3 charts)
4. TAM growth and opportunity (stacked area chart) 5. Competitive positioning matrix (2×2 with bubbles) 6. Margin expansion pathway (waterfall or line)
Pages 6-17 - Company 101 (6-8 charts)
7. Business model diagram (flow chart) 8. Company timeline (horizontal timeline) 9. Funding history (bar chart with valuation line) 10. Organization chart 11. Product portfolio matrix 12. Customer segmentation (pie or tree map) 13. Geographic revenue breakdown 14. Customer cohort retention
Pages 18-20 - Growth Outlook (4 charts)
15. Revenue bridge showing drivers (waterfall) 16. Market share evolution (line chart) 17. Product roadmap (timeline) 18. Geographic expansion (map with timeline)
Pages 21-24 - Financials (7 charts) ⭐ CRITICAL SECTION
19. Revenue growth trajectory (line with annotations) 20. Revenue by product/segment (stacked area) ⭐ MUST HAVE 21. Revenue by geography (stacked bar) ⭐ MUST HAVE 22. Gross margin evolution (line chart) 23. Operating margin progression (waterfall or line) 24. Free cash flow trajectory (bar + line combo) 25. Key operating metrics dashboard (multi-panel) 26. Scenario comparison (grouped bar: Bear/Base/Bull)
Pages 25-30 - Industry Overview (6 charts)
27. Market size evolution (area chart with CAGR) 28. Competitive landscape map (2×2) 29. Market share pie chart 30. Market share evolution over time (line chart) 31. TAM segmentation 32. Industry trend charts
Pages 31-34 - Valuation (5 charts)
33. DCF sensitivity analysis (heat map) 34. DCF waterfall (PV of cash flows → equity value) 35. Trading comps scatter plot (growth vs. multiple) 36. Peer valuation multiples (grouped bar) 37. Valuation football field (range chart) 38. Price target scenarios (bar with upside/downside)
Chart Style Guidelines:
- Consistent color scheme throughout (pick 3-5 brand colors)
- Professional fonts (Arial, Calibri, or similar)
- Clear labels and legends on every chart
- Source citations at bottom of each chart
- High information density - use chart space efficiently
- Mix of chart types for visual interest
- Annotations to highlight key insights
- Embedded in text - never standalone pages
- Sparklines in tables where appropriate
---
NOTES ON USING THIS TEMPLATE
1. PAGE 1 IS CRITICAL: The executive summary on page 1 must contain ALL key information - fast facts, financial snapshot, 3 charts, valuation summary, thesis, and risks. This is the most important page.
2. MAXIMUM DENSITY: Professional equity research is EXTREMELY information-dense. Every page should be packed with interspersed text, charts, and tables. Aim for 60-80% page coverage with minimal white space.
3. NO ORPHANED SECTIONS: Never have a section header alone, or a single chart/table on its own page. Always combine elements. Example: DON'T put "Financial Snapshot" on page 6 by itself - integrate it with surrounding content.
4. 20-30+ CHARTS: Include extensive graphics throughout, with specific emphasis on:
- Revenue by product/segment (stacked area chart)
- Revenue by geography (stacked bar chart)
- Financial performance trends (multiple charts)
- Charts should be embedded within text, not grouped separately
5. Use DOC Skill: This outline should be converted to a professional Word document using the DOC skill, with proper formatting, styles, headers/footers, and page numbers
6. Intersplice Content: Text paragraphs should have charts embedded inline. Each page should have 2-4 distinct elements (tables, charts, text blocks).
7. Consistent Formatting: Use consistent styles for headers, body text, tables, and charts throughout. Pick a color scheme and stick to it.
8. References: Include citations and sources for all data points
9. Proofread: Always proofread for accuracy, especially financial data and calculations
10. Executive Summary Last: While it appears on page 1, write this section last after completing the full analysis
11. Balance: Present both positive and negative aspects objectively
12. Specific > Generic: Use specific data and examples rather than generic statements
Task 1: Company Research - Detailed Workflow
This document provides step-by-step instructions for executing Task 1 (Company Research) of the initiating-coverage skill.
Task Overview
Purpose: Research company's business, management, competitive position, industry, and risks.
Prerequisites: ✅ None (fully independent)
- Company name or ticker symbol only
Output: Company Research Document (6,000-8,000 words)
---
Data Sources to Gather
Primary Sources (Company)
- SEC Filings (for public companies):
- Latest 10-K: Business description, risk factors, MD&A, financials
- Recent 10-Qs: Quarterly updates
- DEF 14A (Proxy): Executive compensation, board composition
- 8-Ks: Material events, acquisitions, management changes
- Company Website & IR:
- Investor presentations
- Earnings transcripts (last 2-3 quarters)
- Press releases
- Product documentation
- For Private Companies:
- Company website and blog
- Press releases and media coverage
- LinkedIn for management bios
- Crunchbase or PitchBook for funding history
Secondary Sources (Industry/Competitive)
- Competitor websites and SEC filings
- Industry research reports (Gartner, Forrester, IDC, etc.)
- News articles and trade publications
- Market research reports
- LinkedIn profiles for key executives
Key Information to Extract
Key Information:
- Company founding date, headquarters, employee count
- Revenue size and growth trajectory (if available)
- Product portfolio and pricing
- Customer segments and case studies
- Management backgrounds and track records
- Competitive landscape and market share
- Industry trends and growth drivers
- Regulatory considerations
- High-level financial metrics (from 10-K prose, not detailed extraction)
---
Step-by-Step Research Workflow
Step 1: Initial Data Collection
1. Start with company website
- Read About/Company pages
- Review product pages
- Identify customer case studies
- Note key metrics mentioned (employees, customers, etc.)
2. Gather SEC filings (if public)
- Download latest 10-K from SEC EDGAR
- Download most recent 10-Q
- Download latest DEF 14A (proxy statement)
- Note filing dates
3. Read earnings materials
- Latest earnings transcript
- Most recent investor presentation
- Press releases from last 12 months
4. Document basic facts
- Founding date and story
- Headquarters location
- Employee count
- Products/services
- Key customers
Step 2: Business Model Analysis
1. Map revenue streams
- What does the company sell?
- How is it priced? (subscription, transaction, license, etc.)
- Who pays?
- What are typical deal sizes?
2. Understand customer segments
- Enterprise vs. SMB vs. consumer
- Industries served
- Geographic distribution
- Customer concentration (top 10 customers)
3. Document go-to-market
- Direct sales vs. channel partners
- Sales cycle length
- Customer acquisition strategy
- Distribution model
4. Identify unit economics
- LTV/CAC if available
- Gross margins
- Net revenue retention
- Payback periods
Step 3: Management Research
For each of 3-4 key executives:
1. Identify key leaders
- CEO (always required)
- CFO (always required)
- COO, CTO, or other C-suite (2 additional)
2. Research each executive
- Find LinkedIn profile
- Review DEF 14A for background
- Search for press interviews
- Note tenure at company
3. Write 300-400 word bio including:
- Current role and responsibilities
- Prior roles and companies (last 2-3 positions)
- Key accomplishments and track record
- Education and credentials
- Years of experience in industry
- Time at current company
4. Assess governance
- Board composition and independence
- Key board members and their backgrounds
- Insider ownership percentage
- Executive compensation structure
Step 4: Competitive Intelligence
1. Identify 5-10 competitors
- Direct competitors (same products/markets)
- Indirect competitors (substitute solutions)
- Emerging competitors (disruptors)
- Check 10-K for company's own list of competitors
2. Research each competitor
- Visit competitor website
- Review their SEC filings (if public)
- Note key products and positioning
- Identify differentiators
- Estimate market share (if data available)
3. Create competitive framework
- Map on key dimensions (price, features, scale, etc.)
- Identify company's competitive advantages
- Note competitive vulnerabilities
- Assess switching costs and network effects
4. Document competitive insights
- Who are the market leaders?
- Where does this company rank?
- What are unique differentiators?
- What are competitive threats?
Step 5: Industry Analysis
1. Define the industry
- Industry classification (NAICS/SIC)
- Scope and boundaries
- Related/adjacent industries
2. Size the market
- Total addressable market (TAM)
- Serviceable addressable market (SAM)
- Serviceable obtainable market (SOM)
- Current penetration rate
3. Research growth drivers
- Historical market growth rate
- Projected growth rate (next 3-5 years)
- Key trends accelerating/decelerating growth
- Technology changes impacting industry
4. Understand industry structure
- Fragmented vs. consolidated
- Barriers to entry
- Supplier/buyer power
- Threat of substitutes
- Regulatory environment
Step 6: Risk Assessment
Identify 8-12 risks across four categories. For each risk, write 50-100 words.
Company-Specific Risks (4-6 risks):
- Execution risk (can management deliver?)
- Customer concentration (top customers)
- Key person dependency
- Product/technology obsolescence
- Geographic concentration
- Integration risk (if recent M&A)
Industry/Market Risks (3-4 risks):
- Competitive intensity
- Regulatory changes
- Technology disruption
- Market saturation
Financial Risks (2-3 risks):
- Profitability timeline
- Funding requirements
- Debt levels and covenants
- Cash burn rate (if unprofitable)
Macroeconomic Risks (2-3 risks):
- Economic sensitivity (cyclical vs. defensive)
- Interest rate sensitivity
- Foreign exchange exposure
- Geopolitical factors
For each risk:
- Describe the risk clearly
- Quantify impact if possible
- Note likelihood/severity
- Identify mitigating factors
Step 7: Synthesis and Writing
Write document following this structure:
1. Company Overview (800-1,200 words)
- What does the company do? (plain English)
- How do they make money? (business model)
- Where do they operate? (geographic presence)
- How large are they? (revenue, employees, customers)
- Key metrics and scale indicators
2. Company History (800-1,200 words)
- Founding story (who, when, why, where)
- Timeline of major milestones
- Strategic pivots or transformations
- Key acquisitions
- Recent developments (last 1-2 years)
3. Management Team (1,000-1,400 words)
- 300-400 word bio for each of 3-4 executives
- Board composition and governance
- Insider ownership
- Management track record assessment
4. Products & Services (700-1,000 words)
- Detailed product portfolio
- Key features and capabilities
- Product differentiation
- Target customers and use cases
- Pricing models and typical deal sizes
5. Customers & Go-to-Market (500-700 words)
- Customer segments and profiles
- Distribution channels
- Sales strategy and cycle
- Key partnerships
- Customer case studies
6. Industry Overview (800-1,200 words)
- Industry definition and scope
- Market size and structure
- Growth rates (historical and projected)
- Key trends and drivers
- Regulatory environment
- Industry dynamics
7. Competitive Landscape (700-1,000 words)
- Analysis of 5-10 key competitors
- Market positioning framework
- Company's competitive advantages
- Competitive vulnerabilities
- Market share analysis
8. Market Opportunity (500-700 words)
- TAM sizing and methodology
- Market growth projections
- Company's serviceable market
- Market share opportunity
- Penetration strategy
9. Risk Assessment (600-900 words)
- Company-specific risks (4-6)
- Industry/market risks (3-4)
- Financial risks (2-3)
- Macroeconomic risks (2-3)
- Each risk: 50-100 word description
Data Sources Section
- List all sources used
- Include dates and URLs
- Organize by source type
---
Quality Standards
Content Depth
- Each section must meet minimum word count targets
- Analysis should be substantive, not just descriptive
- Use specific examples and quantitative data
- Cite sources throughout
- Maintain objectivity and balance
Management Bios
- 300-400 words per executive for 3-4 key executives
- Must include: current role, prior experience, key accomplishments, education
- Provide enough detail to assess track record and capabilities
Competitive Analysis
- Must analyze 5-10 specific competitors
- Include both direct and indirect competitors
- Assess relative positioning on key dimensions
- Identify company's competitive advantages and vulnerabilities
- Use specific data and examples
Risk Assessment
- Must identify 8-12 distinct risks across all four categories
- Each risk needs 50-100 word description
- Quantify impact where possible
- Note mitigating factors
- Cover all four risk categories
Writing Quality
- Professional, analytical tone
- Lead with key insights
- Use concrete examples and data
- Avoid generic statements
- Proper citations throughout
---
Output Format
COMPANY RESEARCH REPORT: [Company Name]
Date: [Date]
Analyst: [Your name if applicable]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Company Overview
2. Company History
3. Management Team
4. Products & Services
5. Customers & Go-to-Market
6. Industry Overview
7. Competitive Landscape
8. Market Opportunity (TAM)
9. Risk Assessment
======================================
1. COMPANY OVERVIEW (800-1,200 words)
[Content]
2. COMPANY HISTORY (800-1,200 words)
[Content]
3. MANAGEMENT TEAM (1,000-1,400 words)
[Name], [Title]
[300-400 word bio]
[Repeat for 3-4 key executives]
[Governance section]
4. PRODUCTS & SERVICES (700-1,000 words)
[Content]
5. CUSTOMERS & GO-TO-MARKET (500-700 words)
[Content]
6. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW (800-1,200 words)
[Content]
7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE (700-1,000 words)
[Content]
8. MARKET OPPORTUNITY (500-700 words)
[Content]
9. RISK ASSESSMENT (600-900 words)
Company-Specific Risks:
[4-6 risks with descriptions]
Industry/Market Risks:
[3-4 risks with descriptions]
Financial Risks:
[2-3 risks with descriptions]
Macroeconomic Risks:
[2-3 risks with descriptions]
======================================
DATA SOURCES
[List all sources with dates and URLs]---
Success Criteria
A successful Task 1 completion should deliver:
1. Meet 6,000-8,000 word target (verify word count) 2. Include all 9 required sections with target word counts 3. Provide substantive analysis, not just description 4. Use specific examples and quantitative data 5. Cite all sources properly 6. Enable reader to understand:
- What the company does and how it makes money
- Quality and track record of management team
- Company's competitive position
- Market opportunity size
- Key risks to consider
---
File Naming Convention
Save the output as:
[Company]_Research_Document_[Date].md
Example: Tesla_Research_Document_2024-10-27.md
---
Next Steps
After completing Task 1, the research document will be used:
- As standalone company analysis
- As input for Task 2 (Financial Modeling) - provides business context for projections
- As input for Task 4 (Chart Generation) - provides data for company/competitive charts
- As foundation for Task 5 (Report Assembly) - Company 101 sections copied verbatim
Task 2: Financial Modeling - Detailed Workflow
This document provides step-by-step instructions for executing Task 2 (Financial Modeling) of the initiating-coverage skill.
Task Overview
Purpose: Extract historical financials and build comprehensive Excel financial model with projections and scenarios.
Prerequisites: ⚠️ Verify before starting
- Required: Access to company financial data
- For public companies: Latest 10-K and recent 10-Qs from SEC EDGAR
- For private companies: Financial statements or estimates from available sources
- OR: Pre-extracted historical financials provided by user
- Optional: Company research (Task 1) for business context
Output: Excel Financial Model (.xlsx) with 6 essential tabs: 1. Revenue Model 2. Income Statement 3. Cash Flow Statement 4. Balance Sheet 5. Scenarios 6. DCF Inputs
---
Input Verification
BEFORE STARTING - CHECK:
Option A: Extract financials directly (most common)
- [ ] Have access to 10-K filings (public company)?
- [ ] OR have access to financial statements (private company)?
- [ ] Ready to create Excel file for historical extraction?
Option B: User has pre-extracted financials
- [ ] Historical financials file provided? (.xlsx or other format)
- [ ] Contains 3-5 years of income statement, cash flow, balance sheet?
- [ ] Data is clean and ready to use?
Optional Context:
- [ ] Company research (Task 1) complete for business understanding?
IF VERIFICATION FAILS: Stop and obtain access to financial statements (10-K or equivalent) before proceeding.
---
Model Structure and Formatting
Color Coding (Industry Standard)
- Blue text: Hardcoded inputs (user can change)
- Black text: Formulas and calculations
- Green text: Links to other sheets
- Red text: Errors or flags (should be resolved)
Formatting Standards
- Professional borders and shading
- Clear section headers
- Grouped rows for collapsibility
- Named ranges for key inputs/outputs
- No hardcoded numbers in formulas (except constants like 12 months)
- Clear units ($ thousands, $ millions, etc.)
Formula Best Practices
- All numbers should flow from assumptions
- Change an assumption → entire model updates
- No circular references
- Use named ranges for key cells
- Keep formulas simple and auditable
- Add comments for complex calculations
---
Step-by-Step Modeling Workflow
Step 1: Extract Historical Financials
If historical financials are already extracted, skip to Step 2.
For Public Companies:
1. Download 10-K Filing
- Go to SEC EDGAR (https://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html)
- Search for company name or ticker
- Download latest 10-K (annual report)
- Navigate to Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
2. Create Historical Financials Excel File
- File name:
[Company]_Historical_Financials_[Date].xlsx - This file will be the foundation for the model
3. Extract Income Statement (3-5 years)
- Create Sheet 1: "Historical Income Statement"
- Extract ALL line items for 3-5 years:
- Revenue (total and by segment if disclosed)
- Cost of revenue / COGS
- Gross profit
- Operating expenses (R&D, Sales & Marketing, G&A broken out)
- EBITDA (calculate if not disclosed: EBIT + D&A)
- EBIT / Operating income
- Interest expense/income
- Other income/expense
- Pre-tax income
- Income tax and tax rate
- Net income
- EPS (basic and diluted)
- Shares outstanding (basic and diluted)
4. Extract Cash Flow Statement (3-5 years)
- Create Sheet 2: "Historical Cash Flow"
- Extract ALL line items:
- Operating activities (starting from net income)
- Depreciation & amortization
- Stock-based compensation
- Changes in working capital (receivables, inventory, payables)
- Cash from operations
- Investing activities (CapEx, acquisitions)
- Financing activities (debt issuance/repayment, equity, dividends)
- Net change in cash
- Beginning and ending cash
5. Extract Balance Sheet (3-5 years)
- Create Sheet 3: "Historical Balance Sheet"
- Extract ALL line items:
- Current assets (cash, receivables, inventory, other)
- Non-current assets (PP&E, intangibles, goodwill)
- Total assets
- Current liabilities (payables, accrued expenses, current debt)
- Non-current liabilities (long-term debt, deferred taxes)
- Total liabilities
- Shareholders' equity (common stock, retained earnings)
- Total liabilities + equity
6. Calculate Historical Metrics
- Create Sheet 4: "Historical Metrics"
- Calculate from statements:
- Revenue growth % (YoY)
- Gross margin %
- EBITDA margin %
- Operating margin %
- Net margin %
- Free cash flow (CFO - CapEx)
- FCF margin %
- ROIC (approximate: NOPAT / Invested Capital)
- Debt/Equity ratio
- Current ratio (Current Assets / Current Liabilities)
7. Document Sources and Notes
- Create Sheet 5: "Notes"
- Document:
- 10-K filing date and fiscal year end
- Any one-time items or adjustments noted
- Non-GAAP vs GAAP differences
- Segment breakdown (if revenue split by product/geography)
- Data quality notes and limitations
For Private Companies:
1. Gather Available Data
- Financial statements (if available)
- Press releases with revenue figures
- Funding announcements
- Industry estimates or comparable company data
2. Create Simplified Historical File
- Estimated revenue (if available)
- Estimated margins (from comparables if needed)
- Key ratios and metrics
- Document all assumptions and sources
Verification:
- [ ] All 3 financial statements extracted (3-5 years)
- [ ] Numbers reconcile across statements (net income ties)
- [ ] Key metrics calculated correctly
- [ ] Excel file saved and can be opened
- [ ] Data sources documented (10-K dates, page numbers)
Foundation for projection model is now complete. Proceed to Step 2.
- Capital expenditures
- Working capital items
- Debt and interest expense
- Share count (basic and diluted)
3. Organize historical data for entry
- Prepare 3-5 years of actuals
- Will be entered directly into Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, and Balance Sheet tabs
- Historical years in columns, projected years following
4. Calculate historical trends
- Revenue CAGR
- Margin progression
- OpEx leverage
- Working capital patterns
- CapEx as % of revenue
- These trends will inform projection assumptions
Note: Assumptions will be documented directly in each tab as blue text inputs, not in a separate tab.
Step 2: Model Revenue
CRITICAL: This is the most important and detailed part of the model.
A. Revenue by Product/Category (20-30 rows)
Create detailed table:
2021A 2022A 2023A 2024A 2025E 2026E 2027E 2028E 2029E
Product Category A
Sub-product A1 XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Sub-product A2 XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Sub-product A3 XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Category A Total XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
% of Total Rev X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
YoY Growth % - X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
Product Category B
[Similar structure]
[Continue for all product categories]
Services Revenue XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Other Revenue XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
TOTAL REVENUE XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Total Revenue Growth % - X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%Key Requirements:
- Show absolute revenue ($M) for each category
- Calculate % of total revenue for each category
- Show YoY growth % for each category
- Must have granular sub-categories (not just 3-5 top-level categories)
- Show mix shift over time
- Link all projections to Assumptions tab
B. Revenue by Geography (15-20 rows)
Create detailed table:
2021A 2022A 2023A 2024A 2025E 2026E 2027E 2028E 2029E
North America
United States XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Canada XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Mexico XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
NA Total XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
% of Total X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
YoY Growth % - X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
Europe
UK XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Germany XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
France XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Other Europe XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Europe Total XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
% of Total X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
YoY Growth % - X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
Asia-Pacific
[Similar structure]
Rest of World
[Similar structure]
TOTAL REVENUE XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XXVerification:
- Revenue by product total = Revenue by geography total = Total revenue
- All percentages sum to 100%
- Growth rates calculated correctly
C. Revenue by Channel (if applicable)
2021A 2022A 2023A 2024A 2025E 2026E 2027E 2028E 2029E
Direct Sales XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
E-commerce/Online XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Wholesale/Partner XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Retail Stores
Company-owned stores XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Store count XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Sales per store XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Other Channels XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
TOTAL REVENUE XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XXStep 3: Model Operating Expenses
A. Cost of Revenue
1. Break down COGS components
- Product costs (materials, manufacturing)
- Shipping and logistics
- Service delivery costs
- Other direct costs
2. Link to revenue
- Calculate COGS as % of revenue
- Model gross margin by year
- Link to Assumptions tab
B. R&D Expenses
Research & Development 2021A 2022A 2023A 2024A 2025E 2026E 2027E 2028E 2029E
R&D Headcount XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
R&D Comp per head XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
R&D Personnel Costs XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
R&D Other Costs XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Total R&D XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
% of Revenue X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%C. Sales & Marketing Expenses
Sales & Marketing 2021A 2022A 2023A 2024A 2025E 2026E 2027E 2028E 2029E
S&M Headcount XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
S&M Comp per head XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
S&M Personnel Costs XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Marketing Spend XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
S&M Other Costs XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Total S&M XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
% of Revenue X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%D. General & Administrative
G&A 2021A 2022A 2023A 2024A 2025E 2026E 2027E 2028E 2029E
G&A Headcount XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
G&A Comp per head XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
G&A Personnel Costs XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
G&A Other Costs XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Total G&A XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
% of Revenue X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%E. Depreciation & Amortization
- Link to CapEx schedule
- Apply depreciation rates from Assumptions
- Calculate annual D&A
Step 4: Build Income Statement
Create full P&L with 40-50 line items:
INCOME STATEMENT 2021A 2022A 2023A 2024A 2025E 2026E 2027E 2028E 2029E
REVENUE
[Link to Revenue Model tab]
Total Revenue XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
YoY Growth % - X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
COST OF REVENUE
[Link to COGS breakdown]
Total COGS XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
GROSS PROFIT XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Gross Margin % X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
OPERATING EXPENSES
Total R&D XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
% of Revenue X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
Total S&M XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
% of Revenue X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
Total G&A XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
% of Revenue X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
Depreciation & Amort. XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Total Operating Exp. XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
% of Revenue X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
EBITDA XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
EBITDA Margin % X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
EBIT XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
EBIT Margin % X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
Interest expense (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
Interest income XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Other income/(expense) XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Pre-tax income XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Income tax (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
Tax rate % X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
NET INCOME XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Net Margin % X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic shares (M) XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Diluted shares (M) XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic EPS $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX
Diluted EPS $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX $X.XXStep 5: Build Cash Flow Statement
CASH FLOW STATEMENT 2021A 2022A 2023A 2024A 2025E 2026E 2027E 2028E 2029E
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Adjustments:
Depreciation & Amort. XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Stock-based comp XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Other non-cash XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Changes in WC:
Accounts Receivable (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
Inventory (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
Accounts Payable XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Other working capital (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
Cash from Operations XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
Acquisitions (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
Other investing XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Cash from Investing (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
FREE CASH FLOW XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
FCF Margin % X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X% X%
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Debt issuance XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Debt repayment (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
Equity issuance XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Dividends paid (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
Other financing XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Cash from Financing XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
NET CHANGE IN CASH XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Beginning Cash XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Ending Cash XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XXStep 6: Build Balance Sheet
Create full balance sheet with 35-45 line items:
BALANCE SHEET 2021A 2022A 2023A 2024A 2025E 2026E 2027E 2028E 2029E
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash & Equivalents XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Accounts Receivable XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Inventory XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Prepaid expenses XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Other current assets XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Total Current Assets XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Non-Current Assets:
PP&E, gross XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Accumulated Depr. (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
PP&E, net XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Intangible assets XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Goodwill XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Other non-current XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Total Non-Current XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
TOTAL ASSETS XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities:
Accounts Payable XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Accrued expenses XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Deferred revenue XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Current debt XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Other current liab. XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Total Current Liab. XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Non-Current Liabilities:
Long-term debt XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Deferred taxes XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Other non-current XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Total Non-Current Liab. XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
TOTAL LIABILITIES XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
EQUITY
Common stock XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Additional paid-in XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Retained earnings XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
Treasury stock (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
Other equity XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
TOTAL EQUITY XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
TOTAL LIAB + EQUITY XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX
BALANCE CHECK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OKBalance Check Formula:
- Total Assets must equal Total Liabilities + Equity for each year
- Flag any imbalances in red
Step 7: Build DCF Inputs Tab
Prepare inputs for valuation (Task 3):
DCF INPUTS 2025E 2026E 2027E 2028E 2029E
EBIT XX XX XX XX XX
Tax Rate X% X% X% X% X%
NOPAT XX XX XX XX XX
Add: D&A XX XX XX XX XX
Less: CapEx (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
Less: Chg in NWC (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX) (XX)
UNLEVERED FCF XX XX XX XX XX
Terminal Year Metrics:
2029E Revenue $X,XXX
2029E EBITDA $XXX
2029E EBIT $XXX
2029E Unlevered FCF $XXXStep 8: Build Scenarios Tab
Create three scenarios with different assumptions:
Scenario Assumptions Table
Assumption Bull Base Bear
Revenue CAGR (2025-2029) XX% XX% XX%
Gross Margin 2029E XX% XX% XX%
EBITDA Margin 2029E XX% XX% XX%
CapEx as % of Revenue X% X% X%
[Add other key assumptions]Scenario Output Table
Metric Bull Base Bear
2029E Revenue ($M) $X,XXX $X,XXX $X,XXX
2029E EBITDA ($M) $XXX $XXX $XXX
2029E EBITDA Margin XX% XX% XX%
2029E Net Income ($M) $XXX $XXX $XXX
2029E EPS $X.XX $X.XX $X.XX
2029E FCF ($M) $XXX $XXX $XXX
2029E FCF Margin XX% XX% XX%
Cumulative FCF 2025-2029 ($M) $XXX $XXX $XXXDocument scenario rationale:
- Bull case: [Describe optimistic but achievable assumptions]
- Base case: [Describe most likely scenario]
- Bear case: [Describe downside risks and triggers]
Step 9: Quality Check
Verify model integrity: 1. [ ] Test all formulas (spot check calculations) 2. [ ] Change assumption → verify model updates correctly 3. [ ] Test scenario switching 4. [ ] Verify color coding (blue/black/green) 5. [ ] Check balance sheet balances for all years 6. [ ] Verify no circular references (Excel will flag) 7. [ ] Check for hardcoded numbers in projections 8. [ ] Verify all cross-sheet links work 9. [ ] Test that revenue totals tie across all tabs 10. [ ] Review formatting and presentation
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Quality Standards
Model Integrity
- All formulas link properly across sheets
- No hardcoded numbers in projections (except in Assumptions tab)
- No circular references
- Balance sheet balances for all years
- Scenario switching works properly
Completeness
- All 6 essential tabs: Revenue Model, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, Balance Sheet, Scenarios, DCF Inputs
- 40-50 line items in Income Statement
- 20-30 rows in Revenue Model (product breakdown)
- 15-20 rows in Revenue Model (geography breakdown)
- Full cash flow and balance sheet with all line items
- Bull/Base/Bear scenarios complete
Professional Formatting
- Consistent color coding (blue/black/green)
- Clear headers and labels
- Proper borders and shading
- Named ranges for key cells
- Grouped rows for collapsibility
- Units clearly labeled ($ thousands vs. $ millions)
Documentation
- Assumptions documented with rationale (blue text cells with comments)
- Data sources noted in cell comments or notes section within tabs
- Complex calculations explained with comments
- Methodology described
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File Naming Convention
Save the financial model as: [Company]_Financial_Model_[Date].xlsx
Example: Tesla_Financial_Model_2024-10-27.xlsx
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Success Criteria
A successful financial model should: 1. Have all 6 essential tabs (Revenue Model, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, Balance Sheet, Scenarios, DCF Inputs) 2. Be fully dynamic (change assumption → model updates) 3. Have no hardcoded numbers in projections 4. Include detailed revenue breakdowns (20-30 rows by product, 15-20 rows by geography) 5. Contain 40-50 line items in Income Statement 6. Include Bull/Base/Bear scenarios 7. Be professionally formatted with color coding 8. Balance properly (balance sheet, cash flows) 9. Be auditable and easy to follow 10. Support valuation analysis with proper FCF calculations
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Common Model Types - Special Considerations
High-Growth Tech/SaaS
- Focus on ARR growth and net retention
- Model by product line and geography
- Heavy R&D and S&M spend
- Path to profitability timeline
- Unit economics (LTV/CAC)
E-commerce/Retail
- Revenue by product category and channel
- Store count and comp store growth (if applicable)
- Inventory turns and working capital
- Fulfillment costs
- Customer acquisition
Manufacturing/Industrial
- Production capacity utilization
- Raw material costs and pricing
- Gross margin bridge (volume/price/mix/cost)
- CapEx heavy models
- Working capital cycles
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Next Steps
After completing Task 2, the financial model will be used for:
- Task 3 (Valuation): DCF inputs, projected financials
- Task 4 (Charts): Data for revenue trends, margin charts, scenario comparisons
- Task 5 (Report Assembly): Financial data for report tables and analysis
Valuation Methodologies for Equity Research
This reference document provides comprehensive guidance on the three primary valuation methodologies used in equity research: Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Trading Comparables, and Precedent Transactions.
Table of Contents
1. Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis 2. Trading Comparables Analysis 3. Precedent Transactions Analysis 4. Valuation Reconciliation
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Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
Overview
DCF analysis values a company based on the present value of its projected future cash flows. This is considered the most theoretically sound valuation method as it's based on fundamental value creation.
Step-by-Step DCF Process
1. Historical Financial Analysis
- Collect 3-5 years of historical financials
- Calculate historical FCF = EBIT(1-Tax Rate) + D&A - CapEx - Change in NWC
- Analyze historical growth rates and margins
- Identify trends and cyclicality
2. Build Revenue Projections (5-10 years)
Approaches:
- Top-down: Start with market size (TAM) → Market share → Revenue
- Bottom-up: Units sold × Price per unit
- Hybrid: Combine multiple drivers
Key Considerations:
- Management guidance and historical growth
- Industry growth rates and market trends
- Competitive dynamics and market share evolution
- Product pipeline and new market opportunities
- Macroeconomic factors
3. Project Operating Expenses
- COGS: As % of revenue (analyze historical margins)
- SG&A: Often semi-fixed; model as % of revenue with scale effects
- R&D: Critical for tech/pharma; model as % of revenue
- D&A: Based on CapEx assumptions
Calculate EBIT = Revenue - COGS - Operating Expenses
4. Calculate Unlevered Free Cash Flow
EBIT
× (1 - Tax Rate)
= NOPAT (Net Operating Profit After Tax)
+ Depreciation & Amortization
- Capital Expenditures
- Increase in Net Working Capital
= Unlevered Free Cash Flow (UFCF)CapEx Assumptions:
- Maintenance CapEx: Required to maintain current operations (typically 2-4% of revenue)
- Growth CapEx: Required for expansion
- Consider industry benchmarks and company guidance
Net Working Capital:
- NWC = (Accounts Receivable + Inventory) - Accounts Payable
- Model as % of revenue or days (DSO, DIO, DPO)
- An increase in NWC is a use of cash
5. Determine Terminal Value
Method A: Perpetuity Growth Method
Terminal Value = FCF(final year) × (1 + g) / (WACC - g)- g = perpetual growth rate (typically 2-3%, not exceeding GDP growth)
- Use when company has reached stable, mature growth
Method B: Exit Multiple Method
Terminal Value = EBITDA(final year) × Exit Multiple- Exit multiple based on current trading comps
- More appropriate for cyclical businesses
6. Calculate Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)
WACC = (E/V × Cost of Equity) + (D/V × Cost of Debt × (1 - Tax Rate))Cost of Equity (using CAPM):
Cost of Equity = Risk-Free Rate + Beta × Equity Risk Premium- Risk-Free Rate: 10-year Treasury yield
- Beta: Regression of stock returns vs. market (or use comparable beta)
- Equity Risk Premium: Historical average ~5-6%
Cost of Debt:
Cost of Debt = Risk-Free Rate + Credit Spread- Use company's current borrowing rate or implied from bonds
- Adjust for credit rating if no bonds outstanding
Capital Structure:
- E/V = Market value of equity / Total value
- D/V = Market value of debt / Total value
- Use target capital structure, not current (if significantly different)
7. Discount Cash Flows to Present Value
PV = Σ [FCFt / (1 + WACC)^t] + [Terminal Value / (1 + WACC)^n]8. Calculate Enterprise Value and Equity Value
Enterprise Value = PV of Projected FCF + PV of Terminal Value
Less: Net Debt (Total Debt - Cash)
Plus: Non-operating Assets
Less: Minority Interest
Less: Preferred Stock
= Equity Value
Price Per Share = Equity Value / Diluted Shares OutstandingDCF Sensitivity Analysis
Always perform sensitivity analysis on key variables:
1. Two-way sensitivity table: WACC vs. Terminal Growth Rate 2. Revenue growth scenarios: Base / Bull / Bear cases 3. Margin assumptions: Operating leverage scenarios 4. Terminal multiple sensitivity: If using exit multiple method
Example Sensitivity Table:
Terminal Growth Rate
WACC 2.0% 2.5% 3.0%
8.0% $45 $48 $52
9.0% $40 $43 $46
10.0% $36 $39 $41Common DCF Pitfalls to Avoid
1. Double-counting growth: Don't project high growth without corresponding investment (CapEx, NWC) 2. Unrealistic terminal growth: Should not exceed long-term GDP growth 3. Ignoring cyclicality: Normalize earnings for cyclical businesses 4. Wrong cash flow definition: Use unlevered FCF, not net income 5. Inconsistent assumptions: Match discount rate to cash flows (unlevered FCF → WACC)
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Trading Comparables Analysis
Overview
Trading comps values a company based on how similar companies are valued in the public markets. This reflects current market sentiment and relative valuation.
Step-by-Step Comps Process
1. Select Comparable Companies
Selection Criteria:
- Same industry/sector (primary criterion)
- Similar business model and revenue streams
- Comparable size (market cap, revenue)
- Similar growth profile and margins
- Similar end markets and geographies
Typical Universe:
- Start with 8-15 companies
- Remove companies with unique circumstances
- Final set of 5-10 companies
2. Gather Financial Information
Required Data:
- Current stock price and shares outstanding
- Latest fiscal year financial statements
- Next-year (NTM) estimates from consensus
- Historical growth rates
Calculate Market Metrics:
- Market Cap = Share Price × Shares Outstanding
- Enterprise Value = Market Cap + Debt + Minority Interest + Preferred - Cash
- Net Debt = Total Debt - Cash & Equivalents
3. Calculate Valuation Multiples
Enterprise Value Multiples:
- EV/Revenue: Good for early-stage/high-growth companies
- EV/EBITDA: Most common; good for capital-intensive businesses
- EV/EBIT: Useful when D&A varies significantly
Equity Value Multiples:
- P/E (Price/Earnings): Most widely used
- P/B (Price/Book): Good for financial institutions
- P/S (Price/Sales): For unprofitable companies
Calculate for:
- Last Twelve Months (LTM) - historical
- Next Twelve Months (NTM) - forward-looking (preferred)
4. Analyze and Select Multiples
Create Comparable Company Table:
| Company | Market Cap | EV/Revenue | EV/EBITDA | EV/EBIT | P/E (NTM) | Revenue Growth | EBITDA Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comp A | $10B | 3.5x | 12.0x | 18.0x | 22.0x | 15% | 28% |
| Comp B | $8B | 3.0x | 10.5x | 16.0x | 19.0x | 12% | 27% |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| Median | - | 3.2x | 11.0x | 17.0x | 20.5x | 13% | 27.5% |
Adjustments:
- Remove outliers (typically >2 standard deviations)
- Consider using median instead of mean (less affected by outliers)
- Weight multiples if some comps are more comparable
- Adjust for differences in growth, margins, risk
5. Apply Multiples to Target Company
Example Calculation:
Target Company NTM EBITDA = $500M
Selected EV/EBITDA Multiple = 11.0x
Implied Enterprise Value = $500M × 11.0x = $5,500M
Less: Net Debt = $1,000M
Equity Value = $4,500M
Shares Outstanding = 100M
Implied Price Per Share = $45.006. Select Appropriate Multiple
Choose based on:
- EV/Revenue: High-growth, unprofitable companies (tech, biotech pre-profit)
- EV/EBITDA: Most common; capital-intensive industries (manufacturing, telecom)
- P/E: Profitable companies with stable cap structure (consumer, retail)
- Sector-specific: P/B for banks, EV/Production for oil & gas, EV/Subscriber for media
Premium/Discount Analysis
Apply premiums or discounts based on:
- Growth premium: Higher growth → higher multiple
- Profitability: Higher margins → higher multiple
- Size: Larger companies typically trade at premium (liquidity)
- Market position: Market leaders → premium
- Geographic: Developed vs. emerging markets
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Precedent Transactions Analysis
Overview
Precedent transactions values a company based on prices paid for similar companies in M&A transactions. This reflects control premiums and strategic value.
Step-by-Step Process
1. Identify Relevant Transactions
Selection Criteria:
- Same or similar industry
- Similar size (within 0.5x to 2x target's size)
- Similar business characteristics
- Recent transactions (last 3-5 years preferred)
- Announced and closed deals (avoid withdrawn deals)
Typical Universe:
- 5-10 transactions minimum
- Focus on recent deals (weight more recent higher)
2. Gather Transaction Details
Required Information:
- Transaction date (announcement and close)
- Acquisition price and structure (cash, stock, mixed)
- Target's financials at time of transaction
- Strategic rationale and synergies
- Control premium paid
Sources:
- SEC filings (S-4, 8-K, proxy statements)
- Press releases and investor presentations
- M&A databases (CapIQ, FactSet, Bloomberg)
3. Calculate Transaction Multiples
Same multiples as trading comps, but based on transaction value:
Transaction Value = Equity Purchase Price + Assumed Debt - Cash Acquired
EV/Revenue (LTM) = Transaction Value / Target's LTM Revenue
EV/EBITDA (LTM) = Transaction Value / Target's LTM EBITDA
EV/EBIT (LTM) = Transaction Value / Target's LTM EBITCalculate Control Premium:
Control Premium = (Offer Price - Unaffected Price) / Unaffected Price- Unaffected Price = Target's stock price 1-2 days before announcement
- Typical range: 20-40%
4. Analyze Precedent Transactions
Create Precedent Transactions Table:
| Date | Target | Acquirer | Deal Value | EV/Revenue | EV/EBITDA | Premium | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1'24 | CompX | BuyerA | $5.0B | 4.0x | 14.0x | 35% | Market consolidation |
| Q3'23 | CompY | BuyerB | $3.5B | 3.5x | 12.5x | 28% | Strategic fit |
| Median | - | - | - | 3.8x | 13.0x | 31% | - |
5. Apply to Target Company
Important Considerations:
- Precedent multiples typically higher than trading comps (include control premium)
- Adjust for differences in transaction rationale
- Consider market conditions at time of transactions vs. current
- Weight recent transactions more heavily
Example Calculation:
Target Company LTM EBITDA = $450M
Selected EV/EBITDA Multiple = 13.0x (precedent)
vs Trading Comps Multiple = 11.0x
Implied EV (Precedent) = $450M × 13.0x = $5,850M
Implied EV (Trading) = $450M × 11.0x = $4,950M
Implied Control Premium = $5,850M / $4,950M - 1 = 18%Adjustments to Transaction Multiples
Consider adjusting for:
- Market conditions: Bull vs. bear market (M&A activity levels)
- Deal structure: Strategic vs. financial buyer
- Synergies: Transactions with high synergies command premiums
- Competitive dynamics: Single vs. multiple bidders
- Time value: Older transactions less relevant
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Valuation Reconciliation
Creating a Valuation Bridge
Present all three methods in a single framework:
Example Valuation Summary:
| Method | Enterprise Value | Equity Value | Price/Share | Weight | Implied Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DCF Analysis | $5,200M | $4,200M | $42.00 | 50% | $21.00 |
| Trading Comps | $5,500M | $4,500M | $45.00 | 30% | $13.50 |
| Precedent Trans. | $5,850M | $4,850M | $48.50 | 20% | $9.70 |
| Weighted Avg | - | - | $44.20 | - | $44.20 |
Weighting the Methods
Typical Weighting:
- DCF: 40-60% (fundamental value, but assumes accuracy of projections)
- Trading Comps: 25-40% (reflects current market sentiment)
- Precedent Trans.: 15-25% (less relevant unless M&A likely)
Adjust weights based on:
- Confidence in forecasts: Higher confidence → higher DCF weight
- Market conditions: Bull/bear market affects comps reliability
- M&A likelihood: Higher if company in play or industry consolidating
- Company maturity: Mature companies → higher weight on comps; growth → higher DCF weight
Valuation Range
Always present a valuation range, not a point estimate:
Approach:
- Base Case: Most likely scenario
- Bull Case: Optimistic assumptions (revenue growth, margins)
- Bear Case: Conservative assumptions
Example:
Bear Case: $38 - $40
Base Case: $42 - $46
Bull Case: $48 - $52
Recommendation: BUY with target price of $45 (midpoint of base case)Sanity Checks
Cross-check valuation with: 1. Historical multiples: Is current valuation in line with history? 2. Peer comparison: Justified premium/discount vs. peers? 3. Implied growth: What growth is market pricing in? 4. Implied returns: IRR from current price to target price 5. Market cap analysis: Does total market cap make sense?
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Conclusion
Using all three valuation methods provides a robust framework for determining fair value:
- DCF provides intrinsic value based on fundamentals
- Trading Comps reflects current market valuation
- Precedent Transactions indicates M&A value and control premium
The key is to understand the assumptions driving each method and to present a well-reasoned valuation range that considers multiple scenarios and methodologies.
Related skills
FAQ
How many tasks?
Five tasks executed individually with verified prerequisites.
Can tasks be merged?
No; each task runs separately with confirmed inputs.
What output quality?
Institutional-quality equity research initiation reports.
Is Initiating Coverage safe to install?
skills.sh reports 2 of 3 security scanners passed. Review the Security Audits panel on this page before installing in production.