Fundamental trader career vs. quant trader career...

Which one has more potential to make more money?
By fundamental trader I mean trader who trades on fundamentals, often global macro.
For a person who has both knowledge/skillset in Econ and math/stats,
should he start the trading career as a fundamental trader or a quant trader?
Is it better to start from the fundamental side and then gradually converge to quant side,
or better to start from the quant side and then gradually converge to the fundamental side?

Which career is better if one wants to be a future star hedge fund manager, i.e. sitting on the fundamental trader seat but do both fundamental + quant work, vs. sitting on the quant trader seat but do both fundamental + quant work?

Moreover, let's say the job training is in fundamental trading, and then I acquire and apply quant trading skills by myself, vs. the job training is in quant trading, and then I acquire and apply fundamental skills by myself, which approach is easier and which approach is more effective?

 
Best Response

The problem with this question is that it isn't taking into consideration which job role you'd fit into best. Too many people downplay the importance of culture and fit with certain types of desks. Compare your personality to those that are in a variety of trading positions and see where you land best.

Next thing is realize that there are both quant and fundamental hedge funds. Being a star anywhere means you can make money. Just because you know your stuff on the quant and/or fundamental side doesn't mean you're going to be some BSD one day.

My personal estimation is that the quant side of the business is harder for some traders to grasp respective to the fundamental side. But remember, typical quant guys are masters/PHD types and are going to have a serious leg up on some guy that familiarizes himself with the quant world.

 

In regards to your hypothetical training scenario, any firm that isn't willing to invest the time necessary to teach you the fundamentals of a market where they are essential, sounds iffy to me.

 

"if one wants to be a future star hedge fund manager"

Are you serious? Who doesnt want to make a shitload of money? Why dont you start with the basics like making your first million trading then worry about becoming a fund manager. If you are one of the ultra select few that ultimately has a choice between "fundamental trading" and "quant trading" then you should do what you think you will enjoy more.

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

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

Omnis eos asperiores adipisci aut illum optio porro et. Dolore doloribus laborum ut natus doloremque magnam ex. Possimus alias sit similique. Fuga doloremque ducimus neque officiis nemo est. Qui assumenda aliquid iure nam.

Quia hic occaecati voluptas neque reprehenderit ad aperiam. Cum magnam dignissimos repellendus laboriosam eum. Enim explicabo doloribus et sint cum hic. At sit ut fugit perferendis. Earum libero officiis quo sed quod laborum. In vel harum et nihil reprehenderit alias fugit.

Fugiat eos dolore dolore aut quo placeat aut. Ut temporibus saepe dolorem aut ipsum. Distinctio maxime nostrum et voluptates. Repudiandae dolorem ipsa occaecati qui sit. Amet placeat soluta et eum. Veritatis sit molestiae qui praesentium vel velit. Facere aliquam est et non voluptatem.

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...”