S&T vs IB background for breaking into L/S or Macro Hedge Funds

Hi Everybody,

I'm currently in a sophomore rotational program at a BB bank. I have rotations in both IB and S&T. At the end of the summer I'll probably be able to pick what my internship for next summer will be in. Which path makes more sense for eventually breaking into L/S or Macro funds?

Thanks

 

IB is preferred among L/S funds over trading because you get solid industry coverage and strong modeling skills in IB. Trading is more focused on market knowledge and doesn't provide you the same exposure to fundamental research as IB or ER do.

 

Thanks! Part 2 will be out soon and will focus on the niche paths going to a hedge fund.

Yes, sell-side research means either equity or high yield research, depending on if you like equities or credit better. I would go with investment banking if L/S funds are your goal, and if fundamental research on companies is what you like to do for the long-term. If you are passionate about currencies, commodities trading, etc, a trading role in those specific markets would be better. But when comparing an IB analyst role vs. a trading role in cash equities, your exit opportunities will be better hands-down on the IB side.

 
Best Response

For a trading role start in S&T regardless of fund type. If you're going for a fundamental analyst role, it's IBD. This is where you'll be building out models so a trading role won't really help at all. As far as "market feel", I have very little after 2 years as a fundamental L/S analyst. We are longer term L/S equity so I rarely spend time looking at intraday trading unless there's a major announcement.

And for macro, sounds like it should be S&T as well, but I also know a couple ex-IBD kids that are at macro shops (generally ex-natural resources kids). Parlay rudimentary O&G knowledge and expand from there, but the other guys were desk strategists / traders on the sellside.

 

Possimus expedita praesentium maiores porro est distinctio voluptate. Est sed sed animi fuga aliquid. Exercitationem a aperiam dolores omnis possimus impedit excepturi. Sunt non ut sed nesciunt eaque magnam. Et cupiditate perferendis et consequatur quae unde eaque molestiae. Magnam dolorem dolorum eius maxime placeat aspernatur doloremque.

Nihil vero veritatis commodi sequi architecto quae est. Ex officiis id reprehenderit cum ut quas. Incidunt in deserunt aliquam. Vitae hic omnis doloribus molestias laborum et aliquam. Consequatur ut vel voluptates debitis dolor ea. Maiores eum architecto praesentium quas odio ratione id.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 98.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.9%
  • Magnetar Capital 96.8%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.8%
  • AQR Capital Management 94.7%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 98.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.8%
  • Blackstone Group 96.8%
  • Two Sigma Investments 95.7%
  • Citadel Investment Group 94.6%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 97.9%
  • D.E. Shaw 96.9%
  • Citadel Investment Group 95.8%
  • Magnetar Capital 94.8%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (23) $474
  • Director/MD (12) $423
  • NA (6) $322
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (24) $287
  • Manager (4) $282
  • Engineer/Quant (71) $274
  • 2nd Year Associate (30) $251
  • 1st Year Associate (73) $190
  • Analysts (225) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (22) $131
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (249) $85
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”