Choosing between physical and paper

For the past few years, I have worked hard in a top physical shop to attain the coveted trader role. I recently received the opportunity to take a trader spot in a base metal (not sure if the specific metal is relevant) which was very surprising given that I'm surrounded by very bright analysts who I know were also fighting for a trader role. 

But because I didn't expect the opportunity, I was interviewing with other shops, including a few hedge funds that liked my physical background. One of those funds reached out and offered to take me on board as a trader. While I spent my career in physical so far, spec trading seems far more financially rewarding and more meritocratic.

I'm leaning towards physical because I don't want to fool myself and think I'm a great spec trader and burn out but looking forward to any advice from the experienced on this forum.

5 Comments
 
I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

I would say keep on physical track because you would be agnostic to price changes rather than timing the drop and shorting at a hedge fund.

 

Very hot job market and pretty common situation. 

Comes down to; the level of interest in trading the physical product, your view of the S/D of the physical product next 2-3 years, are you more quantitative/qualitative, are you more data driven or enjoy the social aspects of physical commodities. 

Also, as a financial trader who started physical, both styles of traders can be directional or managers or theta risk. 

 

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