How does the metals derivatives market work?

Hey WSO,

I'm keen to know more about the metals derivatives (swaps and futures) market. If anyone could please provide some colour on the below (as well as any additional information they deem relevant), it would be hugely appreciated!

How are desks partitioned? In energy markets, for example, you have: i) Heavy / fuel oils; ii) Middle distillates; iii) Lights (e.g. gasoline, naphtha). How do things compare in metals? I'm aware there are precious, ferrous, and non-ferrous markets - are these the only determinants of division?

How does liquidity differ across metals? Do, for instance, certain metals trade far more extensively on screen than they do in the OTC market? Also, how far down the curve does meaningful liquidity exist for different metals?

Are there differentials? In energy, the most basic differential is a "crack" - the difference in price between a refined product and crude (e.g. RBOB - Brent). There are also geographical differentials, such as an East/West (e.g. the difference in price between an eastern grade of product and a western grade of product). Are there similar structures in metals?

What is the futures equivalent risk of different metals swaps contracts? In other words, how - in terms of monthly exposure - does the given quantity of a monthly swap contract equate to futures contracts?

If any other questions come to mind, I'll be sure to add them here / ask in the comments. Additionally, if anyone has any recommendations for reading material (akin to "Oil 101") on the metals markets, please let me know!

2 Comments
 

Hi YoungDumbFullOfRum, any of these threads helpful:

  • Precious Metals Trading? somewhat mystified as to what precious metal traders do. There are a bunch of articles on how banks at the ... in precious metals. Does anyone know who the major players in this field are and what it takes to get ... Does anyone here know much about precious metals trading? I work in physical base metals and I am ...
  • How does everyone see the current NYC resi market? How does everyone see Manhattan/Brooklyn resi market? And let's discuss Jersey City too if ...
  • Metals trading street cred derivatives most, and found products based on industrial metals especially interesting. In the securities ... Hi, I'm in the process of applying to several firms who physically trade metal. I can't ... I'm wondering how industry insiders would rank the physical firms, e.g. is there a reputational ...
  • Investment Banking vs. Capital Markets- How different are they? markets are good" or something like that? How are the exit opps (esp into top PE firms/top bschools)? ... group bankers on the roadshow, and their role is to comment on the state of the markets, how receptive ... How different are they exactly? I know in IBD you work like a dog and you're in the office ...
  • Just HOW MUCH MATH does a trader need? interned at Goldman (FICC division) last summer and will intern at JPM (Credit Derivates Marketing for ... Germany) this summer. My question to you is: Just how quantitatively able does one have to be to become ... Hey everyone, So, I want to become a derivatives trader; I major in Economics at a top 5 school, ...
  • Government Shutdown: how it will affect the economy/capital markets How will it affect the economy/capital markets? According to Bloomberg: : "Both bond markets ... get about a 5 percent correction in equities, but it started well in advance. The markets have ... shutdown that outweighed any benefit the greenback normally gets from higher yields." But does this ...
  • Why I Left PE & Switched to the Public Markets bulge bracket investment banking and two different middle-market PE funds, I realized that the lifestyle ... firms, but they do operate in the middle-market). PE can also be an extremely hierarchical environment ... through the capital structure and how to exploit it, management compensation, purchase/merger/employment ...
  • More suggestions...

If those topics were completely useless, don't blame me, blame my programmers...

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

Totam occaecati quas id repellat ut. Quam harum qui expedita quisquam sed vel veritatis reiciendis. Deserunt quis nemo ut quaerat adipisci. Aliquam error dolorum non aspernatur ut cupiditate est.

Ex praesentium suscipit quia dolore dolore. Vel consequatur neque autem aliquid corrupti distinctio. Autem rerum qui rerum. Tenetur excepturi dolorem nulla reprehenderit aut aut nostrum repellat. Rerum omnis quo et ab iure. Odit soluta quisquam et omnis ratione deleniti suscipit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”