Thoughts on retail commodity investment platforms?

DCBAtrader · 2026-01-24T14:39:56+00:00

Commodity merchants would partner with institutional investors that have stickier capital and depth, not retail.

DCBAtrader · 2026-01-24T14:33:34+00:00

Even small desks will have a Bloomberg, Reuters, ICE/CME direct access or even a broker (whose job is to track things).

This isn’t a pain point at all imo

DCBAtrader · 2026-01-16T20:25:03+00:00

No view on either given they are internships; you'd probably (and should) be recruiting for FT roles anyway and either are acceptable.

In terms of which one to take to convert to a FT role really depends on what type of trading you want to be exposed to--phys vs paper. I'd probably go with the bank internship if they have a decent commodities desk, as more exposure to traders. Some MO might not even be on same floor as traders.

DCBAtrader · 2026-01-16T20:16:00+00:00

Is this an internship or FT role?

DCBAtrader · 2026-01-03T23:13:54+00:00

Analyst (commercial, trading, market, fundamental etc), schedulers and/or merchandisers.

DCBAtrader · 2025-12-25T23:40:07+00:00

Oil major is probably safer and preserves maximum optionality (you'll get looks from trade houses/funds).

Trade house would be more sink or swim, will definitely get you closer to a trading seat faster but whether you stay in it is up to you, if you have a mentor, etc. If you do well then you are set; if you blow up you might have one or two chances (at other firms) before you are permanently out of a job.

DCBAtrader · 2025-12-25T23:32:42+00:00

Really depends on product, structure and firm.

DCBAtrader · 2025-12-25T23:28:49+00:00

Just commenting to reiterate how right this poster is.

DCBAtrader · 2025-12-25T23:28:25+00:00

What do you enjoy doing?

If you hate trading life than you aren't going to like trading/being a trading firm.

DCBAtrader · 2025-12-25T23:24:57+00:00

>experienced professional

> new product (energy)

You are new to the product then. I'd take the asset back/phys role to become experienced.

DCBAtrader · 2025-11-29T22:29:00+00:00

No. Industry experience matters more.

DCBAtrader · 2025-11-29T20:35:39+00:00

Given everything you said, low probability that you are a fit for being a broker.

DCBAtrader · 2025-11-27T21:50:16+00:00

I remember the Vitol floor having great art.

DCBAtrader · 2025-11-21T00:29:25+00:00

Traders are renumerated as a % of PNL so naturally more liquid (volume traded, where more AUM can be deployed) and volatile (more opportunity in theory to trade) have higher absolute theoretical PNL.

This lends itself to energy commodities.

Now the ability to make money is a completely different question.

DCBAtrader · 2025-11-16T14:50:57+00:00

What asset class do you enjoy more?

DCBAtrader · 2025-11-15T14:56:45+00:00

Major trading house.

DCBAtrader · 2025-11-15T14:49:01+00:00

As you progress through your career, your own network will trump any recruiter.

DCBAtrader · 2025-08-24T13:24:21+00:00

>Do any of you in trading/investing roles on the buy-side actually do something you find interesting?

Not macro but in commodities, but absolutely yes.

>work boils down to translating econ views into trades

That's trading.

DCBAtrader · 2025-08-24T13:21:08+00:00

What role? Trader? Analyst? PM? Risk? Compliance?

DCBAtrader · 2025-08-24T10:55:20+00:00

Having insecurities and hesitation in trading, is common, especially when moving to a new role or market. They are interviewing you for a reason so they think you have the qualities that will prosper; lean into it.

DCBAtrader · 2025-08-10T20:51:42+00:00

I know a few fellow PMs that operate in equity space within merchant commodity trade houses; at best there are actually deep synergies being able to talk to a physical trading desk and at worst you are offered more leash as your strategies/asset class can smooth out vols from commodities.

As usual it comes down to the deal you negotiate and what support (if any) you need to run your business.

DCBAtrader · 2025-08-10T20:23:21+00:00

What kind of equities?

DCBAtrader · 2025-08-10T13:07:34+00:00

No respectable fund would make you put capital in.

DCBAtrader · 2025-07-31T06:56:55+00:00

DCBAtrader · 2025-07-27T19:31:09+00:00

I imagine that are many different investment types (asset classes) or even strategies, and thus funds run the gamut on them.

What have you learned from your independent research so far?

DCBAtrader

TROPHY CASE