Proprietary Trading: What It Is, How It Works, Benefits (2024)

What Is Proprietary Trading?

Proprietary trading refers to a financial firm or commercial bank that invests for direct market gain rather than earning commission dollars by trading on behalf of clients. Also known as "prop trading," this type of trading activity occurs when a financial firm chooses to profit from market activities rather than thin-margin commissions obtained through client trading activity. Proprietary trading may involve the trading of stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies, or other instruments.

Financial firms or commercial banks that engage in proprietary trading believe they have a competitive advantage that will enable them to earn an annual return that exceeds index investing, bond yield appreciation, or other investment styles.

Proprietary Trading: What It Is, How It Works, Benefits (1)

Key Takeaways

  • Proprietary trading refers to a financial institution using its own capital, rather than client funds, to conduct financial transactions.
  • Proprietary traders may execute an assortment of market strategies that include index arbitrage, statistical arbitrage, merger arbitrage, fundamental analysis, volatility arbitrage, technical analysis, and/or global macro trading.
  • Market analysts understand that large financial institutions purposely obfuscate details on proprietary vs. non-proprietary trading operations in order to obscure activities promoting corporate self-interest.

How Does Proprietary Trading Work?

Proprietary trading, which is also known as "prop trading," occurs when a trading desk at a financial institution, brokerage firm, investment bank, hedge fund, or other liquidity source uses the firm's capital and balance sheet to conduct self-promoting financial transactions. These trades are usually speculative in nature, executed through a variety of derivatives or other complex investment vehicles.

Benefits of Proprietary Trading

Proprietary trading provides many benefits to a financial institution or commercial bank, most notably higher quarterly and annual profits. When a brokerage firm or investment bank trades on behalf of clients, it earns revenues in the form of commissions and fees. This income can represent a very small percentage of the total amount invested or the gains generated, but the proprietary trading process allows an institution to realize 100% of the gains earned from an investment.

The second benefit is that the institution is able to stockpile an inventory of securities. This helps in two ways. First, any speculative inventory allows the institution to offer an unexpected advantage to clients. Second, it helps these institutions prepare for down or illiquid markets when it becomes harder to purchase or sell securities on the open market.

The final benefit is associated with the second benefit. Proprietary trading allows a financial institution to become an influential market maker by providing liquidity on a specific security or group of securities.

An Example of a Proprietary Trading Desk

In order for proprietary trading to be effective and also keep the institution's clients in mind, the proprietary trading desk is normally "roped off" from other trading desks. This desk is responsible for a portion of the financial institution's revenues, unrelated to client work while acting autonomously.

However, proprietary trading desks can also function as market makers, as outlined above. This situation arises when a client wants to trade a large amount of a single security or trade a highly illiquid security. Since there aren't many buyers or sellers for this type of trade, a proprietary trading desk will act as the buyer or seller, initiating the other side of the client trade.

How Does Proprietary Trading Work?

Proprietary trading occurs when a financial institution trades financial instruments using its own money rather than client funds. This allows the firm to maintain the full amount of any gains earned on the investment, potentially providing a significant boost to the firm's profits. Proprietary trading desks are generally "roped off" from client-focused trading desks, helping them to remain autonomous and ensuring that the financial institution is acting in the interest of its clients.

Why Do Firms Engage in Proprietary Trading?

Financial institutions engage in proprietary trading as a way of benefitting from perceived competitive advantages and maximizing their profits. Since proprietary trading uses the firm's own money rather than funds belonging to its clients, prop traders can take on greater levels of risk without having to answer to clients.

Can Banks Engage in Proprietary Trading?

The Volcker Rule, implemented in response to the 2007-2008 financial crisis, places restrictions against large banks using their own accounts for short-term proprietary trading of securities, derivatives, and commodity futures, along with options on these instruments. The rule is designed to shield customers bypreventing banks from making the types of speculative investments that contributed to the Great Recession.

The Bottom Line

Proprietary trading occurs when a financial institution carries out transactions using its own capital rather than trading on behalf of its clients. The practice allows financial firms to maximize their profits, as they are able to keep 100% of the investment earnings generated by proprietary trades. Institutions such as brokerage firms, investment banks, and hedge funds frequently have proprietary trading desks. However, there are restrictions against large banks engaging in prop trading, designed to limit the speculative investments that contributed the 2007-2008 financial crisis.

Proprietary Trading: What It Is, How It Works, Benefits (2024)

FAQs

Proprietary Trading: What It Is, How It Works, Benefits? ›

Proprietary trading occurs when a financial institution carries out transactions using its own capital rather than trading on behalf of its clients. The practice allows financial firms to maximize their profits, as they are able to keep 100% of the investment earnings generated by proprietary trades.

How does proprietary trading work? ›

Proprietary trading, commonly referred to as prop trading, involves financial firms, especially those specializing in securities, equities, derivatives, forex, and the futures markets, trading their own money for direct profit, rather than earning commission by trading on behalf of clients.

What are the benefits of prop trading firms? ›

In conclusion, joining a proprietary trading firm can offer traders a range of advantages, including access to capital, reduced risk, professional development, cost efficiency, advanced technology, performance-based compensation, and diversification opportunities.

What is proprietary trading advantages and disadvantages? ›

However, if you understand the risk and trust the management and its operations, proprietary trading offers many advantages, although it mostly involves day trading. At the end of the day, the main advantage of proprietary trading is leverage, and the main disadvantage of proprietary trading is fraud.

What is the benefit of being a trader? ›

What Are the Main Benefits of Being a Professional Trader? Potentially making lots of money and, hopefully, having fun while doing so. Making money is often the core aim. But there are also people who just love analyzing data, making predictions, and the thrill of putting money on the line.

Is proprietary trading worth it? ›

While prop trading is one of the most profitable opportunities, it is affected by asymmetric risk. This means that the profit-sharing ratio may be from 75% to 90%, but you bear 100% of the risk of your trades.

How does prop trading make money? ›

Prop traders make all or most of their income from splitting profits they generate in financial markets with the prop firm that provides them with capital.

Do prop firms trade real money? ›

Yes, proprietary (prop) trading firms are real. They trade financial markets using their own capital.

Do prop firms really pay out? ›

Yes, prop firms do pay. While there are some scams out there popping up everyday, reputable prop trading firms like True Forex Funds, FTMO,5%ers,FundedNext are legitimate and pay traders according to their profit-sharing agreements. As for True Forex Funds, I can vouch for their credibility.

Do prop traders make a lot of money? ›

In conclusion, the income of prop firm traders can vary greatly depending on several factors such as experience, performance, and the size of the firm. On average, a junior prop trader can expect to earn anywhere between $50,000 to $100,000 per year, while a senior trader can make upwards of $500,000 annually.

Why is proprietary trading bad? ›

Personal Risk: One of the significant drawbacks of prop trading is the potential personal financial risk. If a trader doesn't perform well, they may lose their deposit, and in some cases, their job. Loss Limitations: Prop firms often implement daily loss limits to protect their capital.

Why is proprietary trading risky? ›

Market sensitivity: Prop trading firms are highly sensitive to market fluctuations, which can lead to significant losses during periods of volatility. Resource allocation: The need for advanced technology, research, and skilled personnel means that prop trading can be resource-intensive and costly.

Is proprietary trading illegal? ›

Prohibition on Proprietary Trading

The prohibition against proprietary trading applies not only to banks themselves but also to bank holding companies. Proprietary trading here is very broad, including almost all securities, derivatives, and futures.

How much money do day traders with $10000 accounts make per day on average? ›

With a $10,000 account, a good day might bring in a five percent gain, which is $500. However, day traders also need to consider fixed costs such as commissions charged by brokers. These commissions can eat into profits, and day traders need to earn enough to overcome these fees [2].

Is trading good or bad? ›

Trading is often viewed as a high barrier-to-entry profession, but as long as you have both ambition and patience, you can trade for a living (even with little to no money). Trading can become a full-time career opportunity, a part-time opportunity, or just a way to generate supplemental income.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of trading? ›

However, the advantages and disadvantages of trading are two sides of the same coin. Quick money is tempting, but it comes with big risks, stress, and costs. Being successful in this kind of trading needs self-control, an understanding of how the market works, and being good at dealing with risks.

Can you make a living with prop trading? ›

Also known as “prop trading,” it offers higher earnings potential much earlier in your career than jobs like investment banking or private equity. It's arguably the most merit-based industry within finance: if you make millions of dollars for your firm, you'll earn some percentage of it.

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