Trading on the desk requires intense focus and lightning-fast reflexes, similar to playing a sport. Every phone call and computer alert represents a client eager to make a trade, and ignoring them could mean losing business to a competitor. The atmosphere is charged, with the heat of multiple computers working at full capacity causing everyone to sweat. On busy days, traders are anchored to their desks with no time to breathe, testing their endurance.
The communication on the trading desk is like a secret language, with phrases like “cable, a yard, mine, Geneva” translating to specific trading actions. Mistakes can lead to frustration, loud outbursts, and even equipment damage. However, the dynamics of trading have shifted in recent years due to the global financial crisis of 2007-09. New regulations have limited profits while high-frequency traders have taken over in stock markets. The global economy has been sluggish, with markets moving predictably and offering little excitement for investors.
Exceptions like the Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s election have shaken up this calm period, leaving traders with few reasons to make frequent trades. As a result, revenues have decreased and returns have suffered, leading to job layoffs instead of market volatility. The trading floor used to be an exciting hub of fast-paced action but has become a quieter and more subdued environment nowadays.