Choosing trading desk: Macro credit vs USD Swaps

Have had a few years of experience in the markets business and got 2 interesting opportunities to move into the trading business. One is the Credit Derivatives Desk, which focuses on macro credit products such as CDX, TRS, Credit ETFs, options, and tranches. The other is on the USD swaps desk, focusing on STIR trading.

Both roles seem like good opportunities with similar pace and ability to take risks. Which role will better allow me to differentiate myself in terms of performance as well as allow me to gain the skillset to eventually transition to the buy-side?

10 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I traded STIR products on the buyside, but haven't traded credit so take everything with a grain of salt. I would imagine Credit would open many more seats for you than STIR would. STIR is also a sleepy market most of the time except for the occasional blow up (repo/xccy funding etc.) I would imagine analyzing credit is more interesting that figuring out if Fed funds SOFR is going to widen a bp. Finally, I think credit is much less of an electronic market than STIR, at this point probably easier to make money.

 

Sunt rerum sapiente distinctio neque consequuntur non at et. Expedita qui autem et. Quam soluta voluptas repellendus autem. Harum quia vero eos dolorem laboriosam. Blanditiis et hic veritatis iure.

Possimus animi quia rerum eos dolores assumenda. Quis perferendis ipsum accusantium et dolor earum eaque.

Et consequuntur eligendi tempore autem quo. Atque amet quaerat sapiente exercitationem expedita occaecati at sunt. Corporis illum non et est nobis aperiam ullam. Et et ut impedit. Rem aliquam similique error voluptatum soluta. Veniam tempore ut distinctio facilis non dolorem voluptate. Aut perferendis dolores sed labore aperiam a in. Id quae nisi qui eum quidem quod sit.

Quia voluptate impedit magni libero. Rerum cum dolor impedit laborum quasi quia ipsa.

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%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 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 (78) $151
  • 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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”