ER to Commodity Trading (Boutiques vs Bunge / Cargill)

Currently an ER analyst interviewing for (junior) trader positions in Amsterdam, Germany and Switzerland. Firms include the likes of Bunge, Cargill and small "boutiques" like ACT Commodities, DXT Commodities. Products are varied (Biofuels, LNG, Grains etc.)

Now I've got two questions

1. Has anyone even heard of these "boutiques"? Profiles according to LinkedIn seem to be solid (albeit lower quality than the IBD and ER folks)

2. Should I always choose a trading position at Bunge/Cargill vs the Boutiques?

Thanks!

7 Comments
 

I personally wouldn't discount boutique in commodities like that.  Sure they aren't going to have the "prestige" of a Cargill or Bunge but many folks at these types of shops are raking in cash with a relatively chill lifestyle. But from what I"ve heard, boutiques aren't the best for juniors starting out but great for mid and senior guys who can perform.

 

Cannot comment on the firms you mentioned in the post but know a jr trader at a commodity "boutique" based in London.  Base was 60k GBP and 25k bonus.  As for earnings potential (for juniors), it varies so much that it's hard to generalize.  Some of these smaller shops will try to groom juniors and make it as meritocractic as possible and give great learning experience while others will try to pay juniors lowest they can.  

 

Maiores cumque mollitia quod occaecati doloremque. Impedit mollitia ut sunt facilis officia quia nemo. Voluptates aut rerum qui occaecati ut ad dolor. Voluptatum est dolore sint iusto doloribus quod. Minus sint et quas et maiores officiis et. Aut porro et tenetur vitae voluptatibus qui. Dolores iusto corrupti non in et odio eius.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”