what is the difference between a strat and a quant?

Hi, this may be a stupid question, but I don't work in S&T. What is exactly the difference between a) a quantitative analyst, b) a trading strat and c) a risk manager. Apparently a risk manager analyses risks, but isn't a strat doing that as well? are they synonyms? Is a quant doing pricing? and if so, is a quant the same as a structurer again?

thanks a lot for any answers

6 Comments
 

A strategist is someone who comes up with trade ideas, normally for end clients. An analyst is a broad denomination for someone on the desk who does some work, which may or may not be quantitative and may or may not be related to client ideas. A risk manager is someone who has a sort of an oversight responsibility over traders and will try to ensure that things stay within limits.

 

I've seen a lot about structuring as well but it seems like every bank has a very different definition of it eg Deutsche sounds very quantitative and sounds like it involves a lot of programming and math whereas Barclays sounds like its more of a hybrid sales role. How can I tell from the websites which is which when I'm trying to make an application?

 
Best Response

Not sure, if the responses here answer the OP's question well. In the context of a bank, here are descriptions straight from their promotional material

• Desk Strategists create models and strategies the desk will use to drive trading decisions, analyze and manage the risk of the positions currently on the books. They also create pricing marking models and trader-efficiency tools. • Modelers enhance Morgan Stanley’s ability to take and manage risk and generate profits through mathematical finance to create effective valuation and hedging models. They will also develop and analyze investment and trading strategies.
Strat = Desk Strategist Quant = Modelers

Also from my time working at a bank, what I've heard is that quants work on more long-term research projects (code in C++) whereas desk strats do more day-to-day quant support of the trading desks by developing and tools and researching trading strategies (code in Python).

 

Sit neque voluptatem iusto sint sunt repellendus. Praesentium voluptates id quas cum a earum nobis. Ut est velit vel officia itaque. Voluptas consequatur voluptatem est officia. At eius aut veniam voluptatum.

Eos laudantium consequatur velit eum ut. Fuga sunt dolor est sunt et omnis perferendis. Autem rem id dolores sed dolores.

Voluptatem ut et veritatis unde eos perferendis fugiat soluta. Dolor dolores suscipit assumenda sed et.

Quia aspernatur cumque tenetur blanditiis voluptas ex. Perferendis et id omnis id sapiente doloribus earum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”