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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
United States - Midwest
United Kingdom
Italy
Other Western Europe
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himleelawcarlotta1123
Chimp
-1
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5y
[Comment removed by mod team]
faceslappingcompilation
Almost Human
9,085
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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...)
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just google it...you're welcome
YoungDumbFullOfRum
Senior Neanderthal
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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?
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"Work is the curse of the drinking classes" - Oscar Wilde
faceslappingcompilation
Almost Human
9,085
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5y
prop trading (trading futures contracts...CL, NG, ES, ZB, Bunds, etc...) not the same business model as physical trading commodities...not at all.
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just google it...you're welcome
1 reply
trading01
Baboon
170
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5y
Curious about those orthodox stories hahaha
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Equity Multiplier Calculator
Truman
Senior Baboon
185
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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
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YoungDumbFullOfRum
Senior Neanderthal
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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
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"Work is the curse of the drinking classes" - Oscar Wilde
Truman
Senior Baboon
185
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Thanks much appreciated
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twoplustwo85
Senior Baboon
189
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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.
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4 replies
GoodBread
Human
14,032
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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.
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Financial Modeling TrainingGuide to Finance Interviews
ss31
Chimp
2
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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
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rknrolls
Chimp
1
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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
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ss31
Chimp
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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.
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rawliii
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hello, how did your interview go with Dare?
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IB
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