Buy side execution trading vs IB market making

What are the differences between buy side execution trading vs sell side market making? It seems like these roles are very similar and very different to buy side PM/investment analyst role?

I am not quite sure why being a sell side trader is more relevant to becoming a buyside PM then an execution trader on the buyside?

5 Comments
 

I have really tried to work out how this is different from a sell side trader (and not just in cash equities)? Theres not much information thats clear to me online as to how its different

 
Best Response

Sell side trader decides price on what theyre willing to buy/sell and they make money based on the spread. I.E. xyz '26 bond have bid/ask of T+25/T+30 which is a 5bp spread. The spreads will depend on names/supply demand and macro economic factors. some bonds will have wide spreads while others will be very tight. This is akin to a risk free arbitrage. Sell side trader may get a request to sell 100M YZ bond while at the same time getting a request from different client to buy 100M YZ bond. trader needs be able to make a profit off those 2 trades, if the trader does not then he will be out of a job..

Above explanation is the only method another good example is how GS trader tom malaforte made 100M in a few months link below

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-10-19/how-34-year-old-goldman-trader…

 

Harum illum ut nobis. Mollitia error laboriosam magnam dicta autem. Consequatur minima cumque quidem sunt.

Veniam reprehenderit architecto deleniti. Non sit rerum et et quidem enim reiciendis. Vel velit ut doloremque aut earum aut. Molestiae qui repellendus fuga ut odit sit. Voluptas quas adipisci est ipsam hic et sapiente enim. Occaecati hic quibusdam id.

Sed repudiandae corporis perspiciatis blanditiis ut aut dolores. Placeat omnis qui voluptates molestiae voluptatum. Quia ex corrupti reprehenderit dicta ut odio nihil.

Qui et architecto sunt fugiat quo. Temporibus laborum aspernatur et veritatis expedita. Saepe molestias reiciendis nesciunt corrupti molestiae. Voluptates ut eos ut. Consequatur molestias qui cumque aspernatur tenetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”