High Yield Trader vs. Equity Index PM

If given the choice between two jobs - High Yield Trader at a small AM shop or an Equity Index/ETF PM at a large AM - which would you choose?

Although comparing two completely different roles (Execution Trader vs. PM), products (FI vs. EQ), and investment styles (Active vs. Passive), which do you think 1) has a better compensation structure 2) has better exit opportunities if you were to leave 3) work/life balance.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

 
Best Response

Depends on what the Trader growth path is. If you're simply doing execution and operational trading, then not a ton of upside, but if there's a path to where you would have your own capital then there's obviously a lot of upside. Equity Index PM is entirely execution and operational. Your goal is to reduce the tracking error relative to the index. Best exit opps would be the Trader if you're actually any good at it. Better work/life balance would go to Equity Index PM.

 

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