Occupation intelligence

securities analyst

Role lens

Are you fascinated by financial markets and enjoy analyzing data to predict future trends? As a securities analyst, you'll play a crucial role in advising businesses and investors, leveraging your research skills to inform strategic decisions.

Summary

Securities analysts are vital to the financial world, conducting in-depth research to understand the complexities of markets and investments. Your work involves gathering and analyzing financial, legal, and economic data to assess the value and potential of securities, such as stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments. You’ll interpret this data to develop forecasts and recommendations for clients, helping them make informed investment choices.

Key Responsibilities
  • • Researching companies, industries, and economic trends to identify investment opportunities.
  • • Analyzing financial statements and other data to evaluate the financial health and performance of securities.
  • • Developing investment recommendations and forecasts based on your research and analysis.
14%
Resilience Score · 2026 (Higher is better)
Bachelor's or equivalent level 83% AI exposure
Start Career DNA assessment
Labour market

Where this occupation is in demand

Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.

Shortage reportedSurplus reportedReported in another yearNot covered by this source

Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.

Figures cover Business and administration professionals — 134 jobs including this one.

4 of 10 in shortage202529 of 31 growing7.2Mopenings to 2035

In shortage: Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Romania.

Longest-running shortage: Belgium, 3 years.

Select a place on the map to see its figures.

About this source

Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.

Explore More

Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.

Guiding others? See NexPath for schools and practices.
Quick fit check

Could securities analyst fit you?

Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.

Progress0/3

Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Achievement?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Achievement/Effort?

NexFuture™

Future Outlook for securities analyst

The outlook for securities analyst reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.

How are these scores calculated?

The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.

Play the future

How could securities analyst change as AI adoption grows?

Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.

Significant task-level transformation is estimated in 8 years (around 2034) under the selected Expected Pace scenario.
~10%
Resilience
Automation Risk
EXP~85%
Human advantage
MOAT~10%

Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.

2026
2030
2039
AI Adoption Speed:

How AI may change this role

Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.

Human-owned 14% Human-owned
What still depends on people
  • review investment portfolios
  • advise on investment
  • develop investment portfolio
The Human Edge To stay ahead in this role, focus on actuarial science and fundamental analysis. These human-centric skills are the hardest for AI to replicate in the next 20 years.
Assist 23% Assist
Where AI may become a co-pilot
  • analyse economic trends
  • analyse financial risk
  • analyse market financial trends
Automate 83% Automate
Tasks most exposed to automation
  • obtain financial information
  • consult information sources
  • collect financial data
Detailed Analysis

Vital Signs & AI Vectors

AI Exposure Vectors

0-100%
Cognitive Software 23%

Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation

AI / Machine Learning 19%

Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks

Generative AI 6%

Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools

Robotic & Physical Automation 0%

Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement

Technical Details
Methodology: NexFuture v3.0 Sources: O*NET® 30.3, ESCO v1.2.1 Updated: Aug 2026

NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.

Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.

Day in the life

What people in this role usually do

Financial Services

Day in the life

A typical day as a securities analyst

09
09:00 · Morning
advise on investment
Assess the customer's economic goals and advise on the possible financial investments or capital investments to promote wealth creation or safeguarding.
10
10:30 · Mid-morning
analyse economic trends
Analyse developments in national or international trade, business relations, banking, and developments in public finance and how these factors interact with one another in a given economic context.
12
12:00 · Midday
analyse financial risk
Identify and analyse risks that could impact an organisation or individual financially, such as credit and market risks, and propose solutions to cover against those risks.
14
14:00 · Afternoon
analyse market financial trends
Monitor and forecast the tendencies of a financial market to move in a particular direction over time.
15
15:30 · Late afternoon
collect financial data
Gather, organise, and combine financial data for their interpretation and analysis in order to predict possible financial scenarios and performance of a company or project.
17
17:00 · Wrap-up
consult information sources
Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.

Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.

Software & Technologies & Knowledge areas
Software & Technologies
Accounting softwareADP Workforce NowAdvanced Portfolio Technologies Report BuilderAdvanced Portfolio Technologies SimulatorAlteryx softwareAnalyse-itAnalyzerXLAnnuities analysis softwareApache HiveApache PigApple AppleWorksApple KeynoteAspen Graphics Technical Analysis SoftwareBizBenchBizPricerBloomberg ProfessionalBusiness Forecast Systems Forecast ProBusiness intelligence softwareCorel QuattroProdailyVest Investment Personalization Platform
Knowledge areas
  • actuarial science

    The rules of applying mathematical and statistical techniques to determine potential or existing risks in various industries, such as finance or insurance.

  • fundamental analysis

    The techniques for measuring the intrinsic value of a financial security through the assessment its economic and financial factors. It combines together the analysis of macroeconomic trends and of financial statements of the companies.

  • investment analysis

    The methods and tools for analysis of an investment compared to its potential return. Identification and calculation of profitability ratio and financial indicators in relation to associated risks to guide decision on investment.

  • commercial law

    The legal regulations that govern a specific commercial activity.

Cross-sector skills
  • asset management
  • economics
  • financial markets
Essential skills
gathering information from physical or electronic sources
  • obtain financial information

    Gather information on securities, market conditions, governmental regulations and the financial situation, goals and needs of clients or companies.

  • consult information sources

    Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.

  • collect financial data

    Gather, organise, and combine financial data for their interpretation and analysis in order to predict possible financial scenarios and performance of a company or project.

monitoring financial and economic resources and activity
  • analyse market financial trends

    Monitor and forecast the tendencies of a financial market to move in a particular direction over time.

  • monitor stock market

    Observe and analyse the stock market and its trends on a daily basis to gather up-to-date information in order to develop investment strategies.

providing financial advice
  • review investment portfolios

    Meet with clients to review or update an investment portfolio and provide financial advice on investments.

  • advise on investment

    Assess the customer's economic goals and advise on the possible financial investments or capital investments to promote wealth creation or safeguarding.

developing financial, business or marketing plans
  • develop investment portfolio

    Create an investment portfolio for a customer that includes an insurance policy or multiple policies to cover specific risks, such as financial risks, assistance, reinsurance, industrial risks or natural and technical disasters.

analysing financial and economic data
  • analyse economic trends

    Analyse developments in national or international trade, business relations, banking, and developments in public finance and how these factors interact with one another in a given economic context.

performing risk analysis and management
  • analyse financial risk

    Identify and analyse risks that could impact an organisation or individual financially, such as credit and market risks, and propose solutions to cover against those risks.

Skill DNA

Skill DNA

Work personality traits and values that define this role

Key traits you need
Analytical Thinking Achievement/Effort Attention to Detail Independence Persistence Integrity Innovation Initiative Dependability Cooperation Self-Control Adaptability/Flexibility Stress Tolerance Leadership Concern for Others Social Orientation
Key rewards you can expect
AchievementWorking Condit…RecognitionRelationshipsSupportIndependence
Career progression

Growth Pathways & Similar Roles

Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.

Career landscape

Where does securities analyst fit?

This role
securities analyst This role

Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What kind of educational background is typically needed to become a securities analyst?
A strong foundation in finance, economics, or a related field is essential. Many securities analysts hold a bachelor's degree, and advanced degrees like an MBA or a Master's in Finance are often preferred, particularly for leadership roles.
How does the work of a securities analyst contribute to broader economic stability?
By providing informed analysis and recommendations, securities analysts help ensure that capital is allocated efficiently and that investment decisions are based on sound financial principles. This contributes to market stability and sustainable economic growth.
I’m interested in freelancing as a securities analyst. What types of projects are typically available?
Freelance securities analysts often provide specialized research, valuation services, or investment recommendations to smaller firms or individual investors. Opportunities can include conducting due diligence for potential investments or creating custom financial models.
Securities Analyst — is there a shortage in Europe?
No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 6 of the 10 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia, Finland and 2 more. 4 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
Securities Analyst — what does it pay in the United States?
$101,350 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $63,000 to $187,090. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.