144 Comments
 

When starting in energy shops, it seems one usually has to go from BO/MO to FO e.g. scheduling/risk/accounting to real time trader to term trader etc. Would it be the same at BBs? And would one be expected to start in BO/MO at a place like Glencore as well?

 

How difficult is it to break into energy research, if you're coming from a buyside RA position in public finance? Understood they're totally unrelated, which is why I'm thinking I am probably pegged!

Do many people get into energy after they're 25, or is it more of a "from the start" sector?

Thanks and cheers to a very, very slow day.

Follow me on insta @FinancialDemigod
 

great...how do I apply? I remember a while back that you were only looking for people in Texas. Is this still the case?

 

What product do you trade?

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 
monty09
RevslyWhat product do you trade?

what product do you trade?

Haha well played. Will be FX Options. You?

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 
monty09power/natty/wind

if I have a lot of tacos for lunch release some nat gas

Haha. Physical I'm guessing?

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 

Cool, it's something I know little about in any real sense. I'm curious, how often (if ever) do you see traders switch the product they trade... like Rates or something to commodities. Does that happen in your experience?

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 
RevslyCool, it's something I know little about in any real sense. I'm curious, how often (if ever) do you see traders switch the product they trade... like Rates or something to commodities. Does that happen in your experience?

I did it after a year in fixed income but I came in as the same no exp analyst. It can be done and sooner would be better. I think everything in terms of career and growth depends on where you are trying to make it happen at. Timing is more important then anything else. I can go into this more if you like.

 

That's what I mostly figured. I don't know if you have experience, but is it more common for Options/Vol traders to change products? This is just curiosity, I really like the product I am in.

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 
RevslyThat's what I mostly figured. I don't know if you have experience, but is it more common for Options/Vol traders to change products? This is just curiosity, I really like the product I am in.

then dont leave. never jump on the new new thing if you like what you are doing... I like lemon heads.. love them mofukers..... all kind of other cooler lemon flavored candy but my lemon heads come strong.. ride out that job until the wheels fall off..

 
monty09
RevslyThat's what I mostly figured. I don't know if you have experience, but is it more common for Options/Vol traders to change products? This is just curiosity, I really like the product I am in.

then dont leave. never jump on the new new thing if you like what you are doing... I like lemon heads.. love them mofukers..... all kind of other cooler lemon flavored candy but my lemon heads come strong.. ride out that job until the wheels fall off..

That's what I intend to do haha

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 

What are Wednesdays and Thursdays like at 10:30 for you?

"Oh the ladies ever tell you that you look like a fucking optical illusion" - Frank Slaughtery 25th Hour.
 

adehbone ever watched crude trade at right when the DOE releases its weekly report? Fortunately i asked Monty the question and not you.

"Oh the ladies ever tell you that you look like a fucking optical illusion" - Frank Slaughtery 25th Hour.
 

Realize i said WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. Wednesday = Crude & distillates Thursday = Natty. They are all inter-related anyway. Your original post didnt sound like you were joking either.

"Oh the ladies ever tell you that you look like a fucking optical illusion" - Frank Slaughtery 25th Hour.
 
monty09
trade4sizeRealize i said WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. Wednesday = Crude & distillates Thursday = Natty. They are all inter-related anyway. Your original post didnt sound like you were joking either.

i am in bed by 10.30

You off hourly now? Or is that a.m.? haha

 
 

Seriously no more trips to Treasures!! From the stories I hear admins use to be hired right off the poles. All the ex enron people are senior and boring. Houston has gone PC. Monty09 for some reason I don't get will really go out of his way to help people looking for a job so be nice to him he is a good guy.

"lasty monty tell me why can't somialian pirates hijack LNG ships?"

adehone you are spot on man. I would love for some somali pirates to jack some of those tankers along with a good hurricane or two in the gulf this year.

"What are Wednesdays and Thursdays like at 10:30 for you?"

trade4size - I know you asked Monty but a trading floor is a trading floor.

Natural gas won't get too much of a jolt from the crude release on Wednesday. Thursdays are generally exciting its 9:30 central time when the gas inventories get released and our bsd NYMEX guy will normally shout out the number to the floor. Depending on the number people either shrug it off and don't pay much attention or watch the screen run up or down .30 - .40 cents in a matter of minutes. Guys will jump on any opportunity they see in the NYMEX or basis markets. Lately as inventories have finally come down to less than year on year and closer to the 5 year average things have been dull. Gas is sort of trapped right now. Last summer and fall inventories were approaching physical capacity and gas would get crushed if the storage number came in higher than expected. Spot gas got weak enough where it started displacing term coal in the power gen world. Those Thursdays were crazy.

 
Best Response
McMoSeriously no more trips to Treasures!! From the stories I hear admins use to be hired right off the poles. All the ex enron people are senior and boring. Houston has gone PC. Monty09 for some reason I don't get will really go out of his way to help people looking for a job so be nice to him he is a good guy.

"lasty monty tell me why can't somialian pirates hijack LNG ships?"

adehone you are spot on man. I would love for some somali pirates to jack some of those tankers along with a good hurricane or two in the gulf this year.

"What are Wednesdays and Thursdays like at 10:30 for you?"

trade4size - I know you asked Monty but a trading floor is a trading floor.

Natural gas won't get too much of a jolt from the crude release on Wednesday. Thursdays are generally exciting its 9:30 central time when the gas inventories get released and our bsd NYMEX guy will normally shout out the number to the floor. Depending on the number people either shrug it off and don't pay much attention or watch the screen run up or down .30 - .40 cents in a matter of minutes. Guys will jump on any opportunity they see in the NYMEX or basis markets. Lately as inventories have finally come down to less than year on year and closer to the 5 year average things have been dull. Gas is sort of trapped right now. Last summer and fall inventories were approaching physical capacity and gas would get crushed if the storage number came in higher than expected. Spot gas got weak enough where it started displacing term coal in the power gen world. Those Thursdays were crazy.

earned yourself the king.

 
ElijahPriceMonty:

What advice would you give for an experienced hire with looking to break into trading? MBA? Assume 5 years of work experience.

Experience doing what?

 
 
oversold
ElijahPriceMonty:

What advice would you give for an experienced hire with looking to break into trading? MBA? Assume 5 years of work experience.

Experience doing what?

Advice for someone with 5 years of unrelated work experience? (Teaching, etc) And advice for someone with work experience in finance, but in a MO/BO capacity?

 

Hi Monty,

I have the same question-- how do I break into trading with unrelated experience (corporate finance program for F500 technology company)? I graduated in May 2009 with a BBA from Michigan and started soon after but am looking to get into trading. I've been brushing up on option theory/statistics but am struggling to find ways to break into it.

Thanks for the help-- much appreciated.

 
suspendersWhat do you feel about working for Sempra - CT?

TONS of turnover there recently in Gas/Power, mostly to Noble Group (Also in CT, I believe). Probably something to do with the uncertainty of the JV w/ RBS going forward. Looks like RBS's stake will be bought by SOMEONE (MacBank maybe?). Also, can't remember where I read it, but there's the possibility of them continuing with RBS, but scaling down size so that they don't require as much capital for collateral requirements.

My feeling? Risky.

 
 

Monty09, how much is the standard rate for the following sexual favors from a mid-range prostitute in Queens:

-Blumpkin -Houdini -Cleveland Steamer

Also, do most prostitutes offer group discounts? Thanks!

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Trannies, I thought that was obvious, sorry.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Yea, you gotta get past the serious shit sometimes :-p That's how you build relationships and start networking HINT HINT :-p

Well, now this thread feels slightly more gay and less cool, sorry.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

monty where you from? your reply to the first question on this thread is "from spain". i took it at face value. spanish people into cricket now?

ps - thanks for the list though. good thread, too.

 
arbitRAGE.Is your username inspired by the 25th hour or Monty Python?

either.

Monty09 was born in Bama in 2002. I played baseball in college and some solid nicknames are born on a baseball team. We were in bama playing and at the hotel ran into some rather "large" women. We were in no way interested but one guy was so we played wingman for him. Really we just chatted with the girls while he got her number. Well, the other ladies started to ask why where we were staying? what time did we play? what was our room number? One guy thinking fast said we already played, staying at hotel across town and his name was D Wanye(tell me if you dont get this joke). Next guy said his name was Skip and for some reason I said my name was Monty. Well it stayed and for the next four years we were called by those names.The "09" is simply my number from little league, high school and college. Why "09"? My coach gave it to me in little league and if it aint broke, dont fix it.

Skip and I roomed together for the next 3 years of college then 1 year after. When you spend as much time around the same people you learn some funny stuff. For skip i learned 3 things... 1. he loved baby powder 2. he thought his singing was a "panty dropper" 3. if you came inside on him you better be throwing 95 mph plus... I saw this kid twist the lid on a lot of pitchers.

 

Monty,

Are MBA's (or any of those other business related masters programs) a sought after goal among traders in the energy industry? I was always under the impression that traders didn't require a graduate degree to advance their careers.

 
Brian FantanaMonty,

Are MBA's (or any of those other business related masters programs) a sought after goal among traders in the energy industry? I was always under the impression that traders didn't require a graduate degree to advance their careers.

depends. I am applying to grad school but because I wanted to leave trading. If your looking to trade no advanced degree is required and most mba's will never trade anyway. Of the 15 or so mba;s I know.. only two are trading

 
monty09i been in one fight before on the field... i dont mind a little passion...

in was not done right... you bean a guy on shoulder and move on... happens .. you dont play chicken shit and throw behind, at head or at feet

Agreed. The only problem is he is already in hot water for something he did to a fan. I think the clothesline he got from the 1B was punishment enough, but we'll see what Selig has to say

 

is that 4-8 million per year? A friend told me some associate on his desk (a BB FI desk) had a pnl of 38 million ytd and i don't know if this is believable or not.

 
Djis that 4-8 million per year? A friend told me some associate on his desk (a BB FI desk) had a pnl of 38 million ytd and i don't know if this is believable or not.

certain firms swing bigger

and you haven't seen pnls on rates desks

 

Great thread, thanks for sharing the knowledge, Monty09.

I have a question regarding full time offers, etc.

I was an SA at a BB where I received an offer to join a rotational program next summer (2011). I would most likely end up in middle office. However, I have been shopping around and will be doing a superday interview at another BB for Sales and Trading.

1) Any recommendations on how to prepare for a S+T interview if I have no S+T experience and how to get more S+T interviews?

2) Should I tell the bank that gave me an offer that I am interviewing for S+T roles and see if they are willing to let me interview in their superday for S+T or will they hold this against me?

 

What does Greek food entail? No, I'm not putting that question into Google. You said you know about it. Tell me.

I think that we are all clinging to a great many piano tops...
 
jkteconHow does someone interested in trading choose a product? Should you actively research or just be willing to take whatever might come your way?

Internships would be best bet as you can see a few things. If you are past that and in an analyst/assoicate program dont limit to only trading. Check out a few different areas that fall under s/t and ask ask ask questions to get a better idea on how various groups make money.

 

Great thread monty09.

I have secured a job as a Derivatives trader at GHF group in India.My aim is to end up as an equity Portfolio manager someday.I'm really into fundamental value investing and an admirer of the Buffetts and Lynchs of the financial world.From what i have heard and learned most of the PMs come from ER or IB.Rarely do traders end up as PMs.My questions are :

  1. I might be able to get a job at an equity research startup. Would this be a better route towards my ultimate goal?

  2. This trading firm deals only in derivatives.What product(s) have a close correlation to / are traded like equities?

  3. I plan to pursue an MBA from US in about 3-4 years time.How is trading work experience viewed by adcoms?

  4. What do you think of Middle office Risk Management roles at BB (Deutsche, CS, Goldman etc.)?Where do these guys end up.Would it be better than Trading workex?

Thanks

 
Oxy-GenGreat thread monty09.

I have secured a job as a Derivatives trader at GHF group in India.My aim is to end up as an equity Portfolio manager someday.I'm really into fundamental value investing and an admirer of the Buffetts and Lynchs of the financial world.From what i have heard and learned most of the PMs come from ER or IB.Rarely do traders end up as PMs.My questions are :

  1. I might be able to get a job at an equity research startup. Would this be a better route towards my ultimate goal?

I am no background in this market. I am an energy trader

  1. This trading firm deals only in derivatives.What product(s) have a close correlation to / are traded like equities?

see reply to #1

  1. I plan to pursue an MBA from US in about 3-4 years time.How is trading work experience viewed by adcoms? Like anything else... show you have done something with your time after college

  2. What do you think of Middle office Risk Management roles at BB (Deutsche, CS, Goldman etc.)?Where do these guys end up.Would it be better than Trading workex?

They provide a great career path for many people and you can learn a lot within all the firms trading many products. They end up everywhere. Depends on your goals and what direction you would want your career to go.

Thanks

 
JamesHetfieldI've met you in person, and nothing in your background suggests that you have even come across Cricket. Where does this interest come from? What are your favorite team/players? Do you play yourself?

islandoffmorocco wrote: monty where you from? your reply to the first question on this thread is "from spain". i took it at face value. spanish people into cricket now? ps - thanks for the list though. good thread, too. THAT WAS A RIP ON MR DEEDS AND THE CRICKET IS A RIP ON THE BEACH

 
monty09
gizmo_the_great1. what is the difference between power trading at an energy house and a bank?

none

  1. how does wind trading work?

in what sense?

is it OTC only? who's the counterparty? (wind farms?) is it limited to a single location? is it both futures and options?

 
happypantsmcgeeDo you think Specs is like heaven or that heaven is like Specs?

Very good question! I might add, Specs is the shit!

 
txjustin
happypantsmcgeeDo you think Specs is like heaven or that heaven is like Specs?

Very good question! I might add, Specs is the shit!

That would make you correct.
If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

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