FX Derivatives vs Equity Derivatives (Options)

initial_d — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:49:07 -0400

What're the hours like for these two desks? I know if you're trading spot FX, the hours might get crazy, but what about options? Also, are you usually trading OTC or options on futures? Furthermore, can anyone comment on the cultures and personalities of the two desks? Lastly, compensation-wise, does one have greater potential than the other?

-Thanks in advance

What type of method/strategy do you employ for personal trading?

initial_d — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:37:45 -0500

Hey, this post is written towards those who trade successfully (not luckily) on a personal account. I've been trading equities for about 6 months and have been relatively successful despite what I'm suggesting, but can't help feel that trading on fundamentals just feels like stockpicking and drawing the lottery.

Are entry-level S&T trading analysts essentially dealers?

initial_d — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:21:05 -0500

Can someone clarify this for me? Because entry-level analysts trade flow and not prop, they don't take any positions. They generate profit from bid-ask spreads? So their job basically consists of market-making and providing liquidity. So where does P&L come from?

Best way to learn about commodities market

initial_d — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:23:36 -0500

There are very limited books out there on this topic, especially good ones (although I heard the Jim Rogers book is decent). Any ideas? I was thinking about interning at an utilities or oil company, but that is going to be very hard to come across. (And the commodity sector I'm most interested in is energy). Thanks to all who respond.

Is Credit Suisse making its way back?

initial_d — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:37:35 -0400

Recent opinions are that Credit Suisse has fallen off the map. However, their Q2 earnings report seems to show that they're making a comeback. Comments?

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a257ag1ONPbg&refer=h...

http://investmentexecutive.com/client/en/News/DetailNews.asp?Id=40424&ca...

Suggestion and advice for courses

initial_d — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:53:26 -0400

Hey guys, there are a few courses that I'm considering taking, but wanted your opinions on them because it's hard for me to distinguish/narrow down which ones to will be relevant and helpful in trading. Below are a list of the courses and their descriptions:

-Applied Stochastic Processes for Financial Models
Presents a mathematical background for the stochastic processes that are
widely employed as modeling tools in finance. The emphasis is on an intuitive

Analysts that get hired out of undergrad...

initial_d — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:36:37 -0400

At hedgefunds such as Bridewater, DE Shaw, and Citadel, do entry-level analysts do the same kind of work as at a BB? Also, are there analyst positions that are similar to S&T positions at BBs?

Which BB has biggest presence/prestige in Asia (mainly Hong Kong and China)

initial_d — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 22:45:35 -0400

I'm just curious since China seems to be the next hot-spot for traders

Do boutiques hire for S&T?

initial_d — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 21:27:17 -0400

Do firms like Lazard, Greenhill, Evercore, and also Blackstone hire for S&T, or are all these banks M&A?

Culture at the BB banks

initial_d — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 10:56:50 -0400

One of the most important aspects of evaluation in IB interviews is fit based on the culture of the firm. Therefore, I would greatly appreciate some input from guys who have worked/interned at the BB banks; what's the culture like at GS, MS, LB, JPM, etc, and what's so distinctive that separates one from the other? And are divisions within the bank different? I'm primarily interested in S&T. T