# Sell-Side vs Buy-Side

*Careers & Credentials — Finicade finance glossary*

The sell side creates, sells and services financial products — banks, brokers, research. The buy side invests: asset managers, hedge funds, pensions, insurers. The distinction shapes incentives more than tasks: the sell side is paid for transactions and access, the buy side for investment results, which is why the same analysis is written very differently depending on who signs the paycheque.

**Also known as:** sell side, buy side, sellside buyside

**Related terms:** [Equity Research Analyst](https://finicade.com/glossary/equity-research-analyst), [Investment Bank](https://finicade.com/glossary/investment-bank), [Hedge Fund](https://finicade.com/glossary/hedge-fund), [Portfolio Manager](https://finicade.com/glossary/portfolio-manager), [Soft Dollars](https://finicade.com/glossary/soft-dollars)

Source: https://finicade.com/glossary/sell-side-vs-buy-side