S&T: Which sales desk(s) would you choose?

If you were looking into sales for your career at an investment bank, which sales desk(s) would you choose?

What prospect do you think the desk of your choice has for the future? What about the desk attracts you the most?

Just wanted to know your opinions.

I personally am attracted to FX derivatives desk.

 
bulge_bracket:
Rates. Anything that is largely driven by macroeconomic events, anything fixed income at least. Being an equity salesman sounds awful to me, but that's just my opinion.
nauprillion:
agree with bb on this one. i sit behind a couple of guys who do cds sales. they get a heck load of business

bulge_bracket, nauprillion, don't you guys think the downward spiraling rates desk may limit sales opp in the future, though?

Also, would you guys see FX derivatives (particularly options and swap) pretty much similar to Fixed Income in terms of sales roles?

 
markets:
bulge_bracket:
Rates. Anything that is largely driven by macroeconomic events, anything fixed income at least. Being an equity salesman sounds awful to me, but that's just my opinion.
nauprillion:
agree with bb on this one. i sit behind a couple of guys who do cds sales. they get a heck load of business

bulge_bracket, nauprillion, don't you guys think the downward spiraling rates desk may limit sales opp in the future, though?

yes. you shouldn't expect to get as much exposure to hedges on fx derivs desks since most banks are going back to the corporate business i.e. interest rate/ fx risk hedging and don't provide as much leverage to prime customers (which makes fx bets pay off) Also, would you guys see FX derivatives (particularly options and swap) pretty much similar to Fixed Income in terms of sales roles?

 
GoodBread:
Downward spiraling rates desk? I'm pretty sure the world's not going to run out of government debt anytime soon. Deleveraging at the sovereign level doesn't seem to be happening particularly quickly either.

It's actually increasing thanks to countries outside the EU/US. But yeah, 100% with you, I don't get the point he was trying to make.

 
gammaovertheta:
I like Brazilian Rosewood. Great density, nice wide grains

Embarrassed to admit it took me a few seconds to figure out what you were talking about. Well played.

 
gammaovertheta:
I like Brazilian Rosewood. Great density, nice wide grains

You know what, I still don't get it! Am I the only person not getting this here?

 
markets:
gammaovertheta:
I like Brazilian Rosewood. Great density, nice wide grains

You know what, I still don't get it! Am I the only person not getting this here?

For God's sake I hope you are.

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme."
 

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