Is interest rate derivatives trading a good desk to be on?

Hi Everyone, just wanted to get an idea from those that may have some experience working in interest rate derivatives, what's the future like there for both sales and trading aspects of the job?

Thanks

 
Best Response

Yes, I think this is a good space to be in. It's complex enough to not be completely fucked by automation like a lot of vanilla FICC products, but it's not so illiquid that it's being completely fucked by regulation like credit/mortgages. Basically one of the few places in FICC that's kind of safe in my opinion, but on the other hand the upside may not be as great should things turn around for other products. You never really know what product is going to be hot until it's already hot.

As for the kid saying prop trading derivs is necessarily better, I would say that the buyside in general is in as tough of an environment as the sell-side and having a top 3 investment bank on your resume looks a lot better after two years than a prop shop if you want to do anything other than trade. Again, it's a risk vs reward thing. Your reward can be a lot greater starting in prop but your downside risk is also much higher and if you want to trade that's something you should be able to conceptualize.

 

Culpa consequuntur perferendis harum consectetur quidem tempore. Corporis placeat sint voluptas nihil sint. Culpa nulla deserunt in ad.

Neque dolorem eum atque voluptatem est. Et a a cumque distinctio quam. Molestias veniam eligendi voluptates corporis modi porro. Asperiores qui esse occaecati eum laboriosam ea ut. Perspiciatis vitae repellendus cumque quidem consectetur.

Ab possimus occaecati error debitis aut cupiditate. Et sunt expedita expedita velit molestiae. Enim sit aliquam est quod laboriosam voluptas.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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

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...”