Asia EM Equity Sales Trader - Ask away

Hi all, relatively new round here.~

But I've been working in Asia equity sales trading for around 2/3 years now for a regional investment bank. I'm originally from Europe but networked my way into a job in Asia.

Equity sales trading clearly a very specialist role and I don't feel many of the topics covered it very well on here.

Happy to help guys with any questions about the role, how to get in, good firms, pay etc.

15 Comments
 

Is it hard doing blocks in EM? Have no experience with Asian trading outside of HK,SG and JP.

CNBC sucks "This financial crisis is worse than a divorce. I've lost all my money, but the wife is still here." - Client after getting blown up
 

Hi pal, sorry for the slow reply. Depends which market. Markets like India are very much block driven, as liquidity is thin except for a few names and you have no actual dark pools of liquidity, or crossing networks.

If you are used to trading JP, HK, - you would get a shock trading China, India etc...For Japan and HK the majority of orders will be vwap over the day types. The type of sales trading on these markets is very different.

 

Thx mate. Was just wondering if you've seen much redemtions in EM focused funds and how do you deal with it without turning it into a fire sale? Just curious, so feel free to drop a PM if you dont want to.

CNBC sucks "This financial crisis is worse than a divorce. I've lost all my money, but the wife is still here." - Client after getting blown up
 

Pure and super aggressive networking buddy.. I started out at some smaller shops, doing unpaid work experience whilst I was at Uni, getting the sandwiches in and booking tickets out. Unless you're joining a grad program at one of the bulgies, contacts are how most sales traders are hired. After all it's a relationship business.

 
Best Response

Hey, great to have this topic here. Iam about to join cash equity S&T of a BB in SEA market as 1st analyst, so just want to ask you some questions. 1) Talking about a "specialist role", what makes a good S&T guy in this market? 2) Any particular public source for market update, stock picking and industry coverage for SEA market? 3) Do you experience any cultural differences in the workplace? It is meritocratic or is it more like a guanxi culture? 4) What should I prepare beforehand for the role? good VBA is a must? 5) Working hour for 1st year analyst? I expect around 60-80 h with early morning start, and not as much weekend office hour as those in IBD

 

Very interesting topic, i'm sales trader in Europe and i'm considering in moving into Asia or leaving s&t. What are the differences between both continents in term of hours, pay ... Don't you think that it is hard to get into Asia if you don't master an asian langage, particularly in HK ?

 

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