Why being an investment analyst is the "best job in the world"

Feb 5, 2026

Kelly Murphy, a London-based equity analyst who covers gaming, leisure and small caps, explains why analysis is so stimulating. She discusses gaming and leisure trends, regulatory risks, the rise of online gambling, and branded-hotel tailwinds. Kelly also describes her small-cap research approach, ‘turning over rocks,’ and how a contrarian, long-term mindset helps find overlooked opportunities.

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ADVICE

Meet More Companies To Find Hidden Winners

As a small-cap investor, Kelly 'turns over rocks' by meeting thousands of small companies to find acorn-to-oak opportunities.
She recommends heavy outreach and frequent meetings to discover early-stage winners like Flutter.

ANECDOTE

Early Flutter Investment Turned Big

Kelly recounts investing in Flutter when it was a small-cap Paddy Power Betfair and later bought FanDuel ahead of U.S. sports betting expansion.
That early position later grew into a multibillion-dollar business as U.S. legalization accelerated.

ADVICE

Build Deep Relationships With Management Tiers

Kelly prefers small-cap access because management and middle managers are easier to reach and build long-term relationships with.
She advises cultivating middle-management contacts since they often become future leaders.

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Investment analyst Kelly Murphy shares her journey from trading to investing and explains why learning for a living makes this role so dynamic and rewarding. Get an inside view on her day-to-day covering large-cap gaming and leisure, as well as small-cap investing.

Catch more on:

Gaming and leisure trends, regulatory risks and long-term outlook
Kelly's process of "turning over rocks" to find companies early
How a contrarian mindset and long-term perspective help her find comfort in discomfort
Her advice for new analysts, including acting on conviction and balancing IQ and EQ

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