Maximum Holding Period for a Trader to Call Themselves a Trader

So I have spoken to a number of people that generally refer to themselves as "traders." I usually interpret this to mean that they typically hold their positions for about a day, both in the case of directional and market making strategies. This being said, I know a PM that described himself as a trader but held his positions for weeks.

Generally, what is the expectation for the type of holding period that would distinguish a trader from an investor (or something else)?

Thanks for your thoughts.

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Animi sit molestiae cum laudantium. Et sed atque facilis illo minima deleniti. Autem quia ipsa et accusantium et non.

Ut a voluptas non officia voluptatem non ullam. Quisquam eaque quaerat nobis. Voluptas quidem fugiat vitae aut. Similique perspiciatis possimus et aut nulla nostrum ipsa iure.

Nesciunt et voluptatem ut sit. Amet veniam facilis ipsum ex omnis.

Molestiae ad alias doloribus dolores molestias illum non. Unde aut sit est beatae cupiditate.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”