- Home
- Forums
- Sales and Trading ForumTR
Dec 08, 2018
Hey,
I've now been working for a London-based prop trading firm for little over six months.
While I followed the "normal procedure" at uni (interning at several BBs), I went slightly off-piste following graduation and turned down the offer of a master's degree to work as a commodities trader in Switzerland.
I jumped ship a year down the line to return to London and to work in a slightly faster-paced environment, and now trade energy derivatives.
While I'm enjoying the role, even from the inside it's difficult to get a grasp of each firm's reputation / prestige (not least because there's a highly cult-like mentality at a lot of these shops).
I was therefore hoping some of you could shine a light on the main London-based firms: Mandara, DRW, VCMT, Onyx, etc.
I know a lot of these shops have offices abroad, however I'm particularly keen to hear about how their UK operations are perceived.
In addition, I'm happy to answer any questions about my work itself, the lifestyle, and the type of applicants these firms typically target.
I also have a number of less "orthodox" stories I'm sure some of you would be interested to read, so let me know if you're curious!
Region
- 9
Add comment
Start Discussion
19Comments
himleelawcarlotta1123
Chimp
-1
ST
5y
[Comment removed by mod team]
faceslappingcompilation
Almost Human
9,085
ST
5y
prestige is meaningless when it comes to prop trading. all that matters is your P&L and your risk metrics (leverage, sharpe, sortino, max drawdown, p&l volatility, max drawdown in a 10year backtest, ect...)
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
- 1
just google it...you're welcome
YoungDumbFullOfRum
Senior Neanderthal
4,028
ST
5y
Very fair point. Do you think majors / the larger trading houses (e.g. Glencore, Vitol, Trafigura) will have the same view should I want to move down the line?
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
"Work is the curse of the drinking classes" - Oscar Wilde
faceslappingcompilation
Almost Human
9,085
ST
5y
prop trading (trading futures contracts...CL, NG, ES, ZB, Bunds, etc...) not the same business model as physical trading commodities...not at all.
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
just google it...you're welcome
1 reply
trading01
Baboon
170
O
5y
Curious about those orthodox stories hahaha
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
Equity Multiplier Calculator
Truman
Senior Baboon
185
ST
5y
I'm trying to get an overview of the prop trading industry in London and which firms actually exist since I want to get into the industry. If you could provide a more extensive list than the four names you mentioned I'd be really grateful YoungDumbFullOfRum
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
Finance Topics
YoungDumbFullOfRum
Senior Neanderthal
4,028
ST
5y
Most Helpful
Gave this list to another user:- Bluefin Capital (multi-asset)- DRW (multi-asset)- DV (energy)- Jane Street (quant)- Jump Trading (multi-asset)- Liquid Capital (multi-asset / options)- Mandara (energy)- Maven (options / energy)- Onyx (energy)- Optiver (quant)- Tibra (quant)- VCMT (energy)
Worth noting that, as a Brit, the list is predominantly London-centric
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
- 3
"Work is the curse of the drinking classes" - Oscar Wilde
Truman
Senior Baboon
185
ST
5y
Thanks much appreciated
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
twoplustwo85
Senior Baboon
189
PT
5y
YoungDumbFullOfRum:
Gave this list to another user:- Bluefin Capital (multi-asset)- DRW (multi-asset)- DV (energy)- Jane Street (quant)- Jump Trading (multi-asset)- Liquid Capital (multi-asset / options)- Mandara (energy)- Maven (options / energy)- Onyx (energy)- Optiver (quant)- Tibra (quant)- VCMT (energy)Worth noting that, as a Brit, the list is predominantly London-centric
Does anybody have any view on DV?? There is precious little online.
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
- 1
4 replies
GoodBread
Human
14,032
ST
5y
Not an easy move , not impossible. Just look up people who worked at both one of those firms and a supermajor/trading house on Linkedin.
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
- 1
Financial Modeling TrainingGuide to Finance Interviews
ss31
Chimp
2
?
5y
Does anyone have any info to share on VCMT?
A recruiter has set me up with an interview there later this week but I can't find much online about them...
Cheers
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
rknrolls
Chimp
1
?
2y
hi - how did it go? thoughts? they are rebranded as Dare now... I need the info asap please as have an interview with them tomorrow! thanks
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
ss31
Chimp
2
?
2y
I’m not sure if they’ve grown now, but from what I can recall it was an average interview, some competency, some technical. It was a small firm when I interviewed, I’m talking 20+ people crammed into a shoe box sized office. I’m sure things have changed with covid etc. but I didn’t get a great vibe. Real life certainly didn’t match the online expectations I had.
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
rawliii
Chimp
1
O
1y
hello, how did your interview go with Dare?
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
IB
InterninIB - Cov
Anonymous
3y
Natus libero et ipsa praesentium non dolor. Amet eaque harum illo aut nobis in velit. Nisi architecto beatae et odio nobis aspernatur placeat. Quo ipsam quaerat odio. Voluptatem rerum sit sequi exercitationem praesentium ab. Accusamus in dolores provident et et. Eum ut sunt eos repellendus incidunt error dignissimos eos.
Sint est illo qui sit a dolores rem. Dignissimos odio similique omnis incidunt et iste. Atque in illum maiores quas.
Quis aut rerum exercitationem quia sunt debitis quos accusantium. Qui commodi sunt excepturi nemo ex ipsam. Fugit doloribus eveniet velit id.
Aut iure praesentium aut vel. Quos mollitia voluptatum sunt numquam quae. Soluta dolor odio est et aut. Ipsum repellendus laudantium sed et eligendi iste. Qui dolores aut repellendus excepturi vel. Est ipsum culpa consectetur aut voluptatem sit.
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Unlock with Facebook Unlock with Google Unlock with Linkedin
Reply
Quote
Report
Other
Add comment
Start Discussion
Want to Vote on this Content?! No WSO Credits?
Sorry, you need to login or sign up in order to vote. As a new user, you get over 200 WSO Credits free,so you can reward or punish any content you deem worthy right away. See you on the other side!
Join Us
Already a member? Login
Trending Content
- Newest
- Week
- Month
- All Time
| +15 | Why don't OMMs trade Exotics? | TR | 0 | 1h |
| +14 | TR | 10 | 4h | |
| +12 | Quant skills improvement advice | TR | 2 | 3d |
| +11 | Sell Side Trader Recruiting Fails | TR | 2 | 3d |
| +9 | 18FEB 2024 Ludicrous Returns Stock Model Update | TR | 1 | 20h |
| +9 | Chances to get into fixed-income trading as a foreign student from a non-target undergrad with a FSFM MiF | TR | 1 | 1d |
| +9 | Delete | TR | 1 | 4d |
| +9 | Navigating Career Crossroads with Equity Research and Trading Background | TR | 0 | 4h |
| +9 | Help Deciding between desks | TR | 1 | 4d |
| +9 | TR | 2 | 6d |
View all
Career Resources
- Financial Modeling Resources
- Excel Resources
- Download Templates Library
- Salaries by Industry
- Investment Banking Interview Prep
- Private Equity Interview Prep
- Hedge Fund Interview Prep
- Consulting Case Interview Prep
- Resume Reviews by Professionals
- Mock Interviews with Pros
- WSO Company Database
