Desks in order of quant-y-ness

Incoming 2022 SA in S&T with an econ/finance background interested in trading. I know a little python but I wouldn't consider myself a very "STEM" person, more macro-oriented. How would you all rank the following desks with respect to how much applied math/stats/cs is used on the trading floor?

- EM Credit

- HY/Distressed Credit

- rates securities

- rates swaps

- G10 FX

- EM FX

- Commodities broadly speaking

7 Comments
 

convexitymaven, hey, look at the bright side, at least you didn't get a ton of monkey shit thrown at you...here is my best guess on threads that might be helpful:

More suggestions...

I hope those threads give you a bit more insight.

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

I think this depends on if its the cash or the derivative product. 

  • EM Credit - Corporates aren't quanty, sovereign is quaniier while credit derivative side is quanty(think cds, cds index, options etc)

  • HY/Distressed Credit - not quanty, not macro either; though could be a interesting space to be in. 

  • rates securities - quanty, the core macro product

  • rates swaps - quantier than treasuries, again main macro product

  • G10 FX - cash is less quanty, vol side may be quanty

  • EM FX - same as above

I went through the placement process not too long ago and ended up choosing a macro derivatives desk. Feel free to PM if you have any questions. Good luck

 

My list by order of quant to not

  • rates swaps - linear rate derivs tend to be marginally more quantitative than linear fx derivs

  • G10 FX (linear ex. spot) - I'd argue G10 is marginally more quanty than EM as many EM risks simply aren't quantifiable and are instead esoteric

  • EM FX (linear ex. spot)

  • rates securities 

  • EM Credit - cash side is not quant

  • HY/Distressed Credit - cash side is not quant. there's modeling/valuation but its not quant.

  • Commodities broadly speaking - 0 experience here but would say paper is quant, physical is not. both potentially interesting

your background should be fine on any of the above desks - pick one that interests you

 

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