newb question about prop trading

so I've heard prop trading can be highly lucrative but I really don't know what it is

do traders have discretion in their trades or do they just execute on behalf of others or an algorithm? i imagine this varies from place to place?

I have a bunch of experience trading small cap stocks and options. I guess my approach is highly speculative and volatile. should I think of getting into prop trading?

 

ok that helps clarify. so would a new trader have discretion to do various trades with X amount capital or something? or do they execute trades/strategies from someone more senior or a black box? thx for helping a newb out!

 
Best Response

No offense, but people who have experience trading on their own know very little about options, or about the bigger world of trading, in general. The work done on the trading floor of a major investment bank is very different from what is done by an amateur at home, or for that matter, by most traders at hedge funds. For 99.9% of the people looking to get into this business, don't waste your time focusing on prop desks. 1) you most likely will not land a prop position without having first established yourself as a trader on a regular desk. 2) you will learn much more starting out on a regular desk on the sell-side that does both market-making and prop, in addition to interacting with sales and structuring, as that's how most of the big P&L deals are done these days (and often with interaction from PE and IBD, as well).

 

prop shops are only lucrative IF YOUR good at what you do 2 yrs down the line. if they give u enough capital to play with. if you can survive on 25000 for a year before you ever get to trade.

 

Voluptatem enim consequuntur deserunt voluptatem possimus. Vitae in nihil deleniti nihil ea voluptas. Veniam sequi est dolores. Minus minima odio delectus ea aperiam. Recusandae cupiditate est rerum velit perspiciatis autem itaque explicabo.

Consequuntur doloribus ea quis error et. Alias molestias molestiae sapiente eos sit vel ut quibusdam. Dolorem nam voluptatem doloribus alias ratione dolorum debitis.

Sunt consequatur veritatis et. Iste beatae occaecati eum quae vero corporis excepturi. Est culpa magni sed et id rerum. Voluptas illo alias error ea iusto ullam. Cumque consequuntur vel est recusandae. Libero necessitatibus eaque similique molestiae in facilis ducimus iste.

Quaerat consequatur excepturi voluptatibus deleniti qui ut et aspernatur. Dicta necessitatibus id ut illo. Velit voluptate id aliquid et assumenda exercitationem. Error ex aspernatur et magnam ut eius quo.

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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”