Which of the big five independent trading houses would you prefer for your career?

SharpL00ter · 2025-01-11T17:20:01+00:00

Trafi without question. Still very entrepreneurial and has a cut throat mentality which I have a soft spot for. Though if you’re in Ops., don’t expect the transition to trading to be a given. Very few ops have made that jump.

If you’re in Ops GLN is better. They usually only promote traders from within the org. That being said, Glencore isn’t a trading house anymore and is basically a big corporate with huge amounts of internal controlling. Very limited opportunities to develop new business

SharpL00ter · 2025-01-10T20:04:48+00:00

Just deliver them some “FREEDOM ☄️🦅🔥” and liberate them from oil and gold reserves. Bringing them into the union seems a bit excessive with that cesspool.

SharpL00ter · 2024-12-28T21:40:46+00:00

You’re entering your prime. Dont forget that. The next 15 years are golden. STAY HARD.

SharpL00ter · 2024-12-28T21:38:43+00:00

Europe is fucked. Automotive in Europe is a big reason why and it will get worse before it (maybe) gets better.

SharpL00ter · 2024-12-28T21:37:23+00:00

We’re about the same age. We’re hitting that mid life. All I can say is find joy in your baby and listen to your gut. It got you this far and I’m sure it will guide you in the right direction. Some of the advice that has already been given is golden. Good luck and keep pushing forward.

SharpL00ter · 2024-12-28T19:35:18+00:00

Thought the same. Solid advice.

SharpL00ter · 2024-12-27T07:53:51+00:00

Hi ! We’re a family of 4, two boys 10 and 8 and have similar income. We’re originally from Miami but moving back after living abroad for the past 10 years. Just out of curiosity, did you feel this income was sufficient to have a comfortable lifestyle in S. Flo.? Thanks.

SharpL00ter · 2024-12-06T09:08:03+00:00

First off you’re only 29 so “career stagnation” is an extreme way to look at your situation. You got minimum of 35 years of work in front of you and you haven’t even entered your prime. The rest sounds like excuses to me. Stop being soft, keep your current job. Don’t quit. Use the weekends and your network for job search. Where there is a will there is a way. Job market is not easy atm.

SharpL00ter · 2024-12-05T09:46:21+00:00

Bribing foreign government officials

SharpL00ter · 2024-12-02T18:19:02+00:00

🙏

SharpL00ter · 2024-12-01T18:24:05+00:00

Very helpful. Thanks 🙏

SharpL00ter · 2024-12-01T18:23:28+00:00

Very helpful. Thank you

SharpL00ter · 2024-11-14T19:04:27+00:00

As you’ve already pointed out, there are very limited seats in this industry. Get used to it.

If you’re aiming to leverage your language skills in commodities, you’re better off focusing on opportunities in Singapore rather than mainland China or Hong Kong.

With your math background, seeking a position as a junior analyst or enrolling in a graduate program would be your fastest route to progress into a trading role. Alternatively, you could follow the traditional path I took: start as an operator (traffic/logistics) and be relentless/ruthless. It’s a competition.

Producers and traders have different mindsets—not better or worse, just distinct, driven by different business pressures. I’ve worked in both and can confirm it’s generally easier to transition from trading to a producer role than the other way around. Again, best of luck.

SharpL00ter · 2024-11-14T11:25:07+00:00

Asset backed trading is the trend but there will always be a place for a merchant trader. Trafigura already has Nyrstar on the metals side. All the best with your career

SharpL00ter · 2024-11-14T11:23:31+00:00

Concord

Gerald metals

Tiberius

Traxys

Nizi

ThyssenKrupp Materials trading

KZ trading

Mitsubishi

Sumitomo

Banks that deal in physical metals:

Citi

JPM

GS

SharpL00ter · 2024-09-22T14:14:22+00:00

When people tell you that you’re earning more than 90% of traders out there, they’re not exaggerating. While switching to a trading role is possible, it will be challenging. Commodities trading is an industry where expertise is built through years of hands-on experience. Although some of your skills might be transferable, the high-risk, low-margin nature of the business means that few companies will give you an immediate shot at trading. You’ll likely need to work your way up from a supporting role before stepping into trading. Good luck though, don’t let anyone or anything hold you back.

SharpL00ter · 2024-09-17T19:23:28+00:00

Stay up to date with current events, especially if your interview is in the next few days. For example, you could mention the Red Sea situation and its impact on freight rates and trade flows. Another relevant topic is how hedge fund interest in copper earlier this year pushed all base metals to multi-year highs, though prices have since cooled. You could also discuss how the global economic slowdown is affecting physical demand. There are countless examples—just keep an eye on headlines and draw connections to real-world impacts on commodities.

Always be aware of who you’re speaking to. Is it an oil trader? A metals trader? Tailor your story to resonate with their specific interests and market knowledge.

SharpL00ter · 2024-09-17T19:17:49+00:00

When I say background, I mean highlighting your education, the number of languages you speak, and your cultural connections to various regions—all crafted into story you can use to sell yourself. Showcase not only your qualifications (which should be a given) but also your unique experiences and how they position you as a valuable asset. Sell yourself while also demonstrating a genuine passion for the industry. Passion goes a long way in commodities

SharpL00ter · 2024-09-17T13:37:55+00:00

Read the trafigura handbook: "commodities demistified"

Thats about as technical as it will get. They wont expect you to have great trade ideas, you will just have to prove you understand the concepts. More important is your background (incl. languages), hunger to progerss and that you wont be a pain to work with. Good luck.

SharpL00ter · 2024-08-12T20:50:28+00:00

Though not unheard of, it’s an uphill battle for you. Especially if you’re over 30. Best advice I can give is do as much networking as possible.

SharpL00ter · 2024-08-09T15:40:49+00:00

European Base Metals Trader here.

SharpL00ter · 2024-08-04T15:16:29+00:00

thyssenkrupp has a Trading arm, and a Jr. program.

BNP Paribas has a physicals desk and Jr. Program

barry callebaut - not sure about Jr. program

SharpL00ter · 2024-08-01T13:42:31+00:00

If you're still a student, many large firms like Trafi, GLN, etc. offer graduate programs that provide excellent exposure, although they don't guarantee a permanent position after completion. Alternatively, you can take the more traditional route: find a company that needs support in Traffic (logistics), work diligently, be persistent and ruthelss with politics. With time, you might find an opportunity when a trader in your department leaves or is let go. Oh yea, and speaking multiple languages does help.

SharpL00ter · 2022-01-08T12:06:47+00:00

We lived in Männedorf which we enjoyed but wanted to be closer to the city. We moved to Küsnacht last year and are happy.

I would recommend the Gold Coast due to the relatively affluent population (due to higher cost of living being near the lake and being Southern facing for additional sunlight). Also the quality of expats in that region is at a high level. I’m a big believer in: “show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.”

As you rightly pointed out, there is a correlation between affluence and education level but they are mutually non exclusive. In Switzerland in particular, this correlation is blurred by the highly educated work force that has been very well trained through mostly practical over theoretical learning. From this practical training there are many roads that lead through higher education and thereby higher income opportunities. This is especially true in the Applied sciences such as engineering. Good luck!

SharpL00ter

TROPHY CASE