Financial analysts can work in both junior and senior capacities within a firm and it is a niche that often leads to other career opportunities. Financial analysts examine financial data and use their findings to help companies make business decisions; often this analysis deals with investing. A financial analyst researches macroeconomic and microeconomic conditions along with company fundamentals to make predictions about businesses, sectors and industries. They are thereafter expected to recommend a course of action, such as to buy or sell a company’s stock based upon its overall performance and outlook.