Equity derivatives trading

How's the equity derivatives space been doing? Do equity derivatives traders mostly do market-making or is there room for risk-taking? Seems like an interesting space that's not really talked about often on this forum compared to rates/fx/commodities. Which banks are best for this? Would appreciate any insight from anyone.

 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, the equity derivatives space is quite dynamic and offers a range of activities including both market-making and risk-taking. Traders in this area often engage in a mix of these activities depending on their firm's strategy, their specific role, and the market conditions. Equity derivatives trading involves a deep understanding of both the underlying equities and the mathematical models used to price derivatives. This makes it a stimulating area for those who are technically inclined and good at mathematics.

Regarding the question of market-making versus risk-taking, it's not a binary choice. Many traders find themselves doing a bit of both. Market-making involves providing liquidity to the market by being ready to buy and sell derivatives at any given time, while risk-taking involves speculative positions based on market analysis and predictions. The balance between these activities can vary widely among traders and firms.

As for which banks are best for equity derivatives trading, it's a nuanced question. Success in the space can depend on many factors including the bank's resources, the specific desk's reputation, and the individual trader's skills and network. However, large investment banks with robust trading operations are generally well-regarded in this space. It's also worth noting that proprietary trading firms and hedge funds are significant players in equity derivatives, often focusing more on the speculative side of trading.

The equity derivatives space is indeed less frequently discussed compared to more traditional asset classes like rates, FX, or commodities. However, it offers unique challenges and opportunities, particularly for those with a strong technical background and an interest in complex financial products.

Sources: I'm currently an equity derivatives/vol trader: Q&A!, Q&A: Equity Derivatives S&T, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/trading/what-is-a-traders-objective-and-how-can-they-justify-not-speculating?customgpt=1, I'm currently an equity derivatives/vol trader: Q&A!

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

I’m assuming youre asking about equity derivs at a bank. I would look at the recent earnings releases for the big banks and see what you find out. Do they mention EQD as revenue generators? And if they do, do you think that business would make money without risk taking involved? Cheers

 

banks on the street had good q1s for equity derivs.  take a look at ms, gs and jpm.  depending on exact product (flow vs structured products), european banks tend to be strong in the latter domain.  

 

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