What Do Securities and Commodities Traders Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Securities and Commodities Traders buy and sell securities and commodities to transfer debt, capital, or risk. Establish and negotiate unit prices and terms of sale. They also make bids or offers to buy or sell securities.

Other tasks include:

• Monitor markets or positions.
• Agree on buying or selling prices at optimal levels for clients.
• Buy or sell stocks, bonds, commodity futures, foreign currencies, or other securities on behalf of investment dealers.
• Report all positions or trading results.
• Review securities transactions to ensure conformance to regulations.
• Identify opportunities or develop channels for purchase or sale of securities or commodities.

We asked Securities and Commodities Traders how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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63% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 42% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Securities and Commodities Traders monitor markets or positions. They make bids or offers to buy or sell securities.

A typical day for a Securities and Commodities Trader will also include:

• Agree on buying or selling prices at optimal levels for clients.
• Buy or sell stocks, bonds, commodity futures, foreign currencies, or other securities on behalf of investment dealers.
• Analyze target companies or investment opportunities to inform investment decisions.
• Review securities transactions to ensure conformance to regulations.
• Receive sales order tickets and inspect forms to determine accuracy of information.

We asked some Securities and Commodities Traders a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	100% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	57% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	98% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	31% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	6% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	94% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Securities and Commodities Traders also reconcile account-related statements, such as quarterly or annual statements or confirmations. They may also prepare financial reports, such as reviews of portfolio positions.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Securities and Commodities Traders Devise trading, option, or hedge strategies. They might also Make transportation arrangements for sold or purchased commodities.

In addition, they Develop or maintain supplier or customer relationships.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Receive sales order tickets and inspect forms to determine accuracy of information.

To some Securities and Commodities Traders, it is also their responsibility to Report deficiencies in account payments, securities deliveries, or documentation requirements to avoid rule violations.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Securities and Commodities Trader, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/sales/securities-commodities-and-financial-services-sales-agents.htm

http://www.gafm.com/

http://www.sifma.org/

http://www.finra.org/