Equity Research is a division within either a buy-side or sell-side firm which is responsible for the research used by the firm and its clients. The purpose of an equity researcher is to provide insight and detailed analysis into a company, entity or sector and this information is then used by investors to decide how to allocate their funds. Buy-side firms will then pay the equity research team for access to their information, and this is why equity research is a revenue-producing group for an investment bank. Equity Research can be thought of as a liaison between investors and corporations.