By Marcus Carter, Senior Equity Research Analyst
It is that time of the quarter again. Earnings Season.
For most people, it’s just news headlines. For us in investment management, it means sleep deprivation. I track 15 companies in the tech sector. That means 15 different Earnings Calls, each lasting 90 to 120 minutes.
The problem isn't just the volume; it's the signal-to-noise ratio. I have to sit through 20 minutes of polite introductions and "strategic pillar" fluff just to catch one fleeting sentence about margin compression or guidance adjustment.
If I miss a number, my model is wrong. If I am too slow, the market moves without me.
I needed a way to clone myself. Since that’s illegal, I started using SubEasy. It has transformed my research workflow from a stamina test into a surgical data extraction process.
The Problem: Generic AI Doesn't Speak "Finance"
I tried basic transcription tools before. They were disasters. They would hear "EBITDA" and transcribe it as "a bit of." They confused "CapEx" with "caps."
In finance, accuracy is everything. A transcription error on a revenue figure isn't a typo; it's a liability.
Step 1: Precision with Custom Vocabulary (The "Glossary" Feature)
This is the feature that makes SubEasy "institutional grade" in my eyes.
Before I upload the earnings call recording, I set up my Custom Vocabulary (Glossary) list. I pre-load it with industry-specific terms:
- EBITDA
- CAGR
- Non-GAAP
- Forex Headwinds
- Ticker Symbols (e.g., NVDA, MSFT)
Because SubEasy allows me to define these terms beforehand, the transcription comes back clean. It knows the difference between "gross" (the general word) and "Gross Margin." This ensures the data I feed into my models is pristine.
Step 2: Cutting the Fluff with "Ask ChatGPT"
Once the transcription is ready (which takes minutes), I do not read the whole thing. I don't have time for that.
I use the split-screen "Ask ChatGPT" feature to interrogate the document. I treat the transcript like a database.
Here is the exact prompt I used for the last Big Tech earnings call:
"List all specific numbers mentioned by management regarding 'Next Quarter Growth Expectations' and 'Fiscal Year Guidance.' Also, bullet point any specific 'Risk Factors' or 'Headwinds' mentioned during the Q&A session."
Step 3: Instant Research Note Material
In less than 60 seconds, SubEasy generates a structured response:
- Guidance: "Revenue expected to grow 12-15% YoY."
- Margins: "Operating margin projected to stay flat at 25%."
- Risks: "Supply chain constraints in the semiconductor division."
I copy these points directly into my research note draft. I have captured the forward-looking statements—the most valuable part of the call—without listening to a single second of the "safe harbor" statement or the operator's instructions.
The ROI: Speed is Alpha
In this business, information advantage is often just speed advantage. SubEasy allows me to cover more companies in less time with higher accuracy.
I am no longer burnt out by the end of earnings week. Instead, I have clear, actionable data ready before the competitors have even finished listening to the opening remarks.
For any analyst looking to reclaim their time and sharpen their edge: stop listening, start processing.