Log InSign Up
Article

What does an Equity Trader do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 4 min read

An equity trader is responsible for buying and selling stocks on behalf of their clients. They must have a deep understanding of the stock market in order to make informed decisions about which stocks to buy and sell. Equity traders typically work for banks, hedge funds, or other financial institutions.

Equity Trader job duties include:

  • Research and analyze stock market trends and opportunities
  • Work with clients to identify and execute trades
  • Monitor stocks and other securities throughout the day
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of market conditions
  • Review economic indicators and news events
  • Develop trading strategies
  • Execute trades in accordance with client instructions
  • Manage client portfolios
  • Keep abreast of new products and services offered by brokerages
  • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations

Equity Trader Job Requirements

An equity trader is a professional who buys and sells stocks and other securities on behalf of clients. Equity traders typically work for banks, hedge funds, or investment firms. They must have a bachelor's degree in finance or a related field, and they must be registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Equity traders must also have several years of experience in the financial industry.

Equity Trader Skills

  • Analytical skills
  • Profit and loss analysis
  • Financial analysis
  • Stock market analysis
  • Technical analysis
  • Futures trading
  • Options trading
  • Equities trading
  • Fixed income trading
  • Foreign exchange trading
  • Derivatives trading
  • Commodities trading

Related: Top Equity Trader Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become an Equity Trader

An equity trader is a professional who buys and sells stocks and other securities on behalf of clients. Equity traders typically work for banks, hedge funds, or investment firms. In order to become an equity trader, one must first obtain a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field. Once armed with the necessary education, the next step is to obtain a position as a junior equity trader at a bank or investment firm. With experience and success, one can eventually become a senior equity trader or even a managing director of trading.

The most important attribute of an successful equity trader is the ability to make quick and informed decisions. Equity trading is a fast-paced and dynamic industry, so traders must be able to think on their feet and make decisions quickly. They also need to have a strong understanding of the financial markets and be up-to-date on all the latest news and developments. Being able to read and analyze financial statements is also critical.

In addition to being quick thinkers, successful equity traders are also risk takers. They need to be comfortable with taking risks, as there is always the potential for losses in the stock market. However, by carefully analyzing opportunities and managing risks properly, traders can still be successful even in volatile markets.

If you are interested in becoming an equity trader, start by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field. Then try to get hired at a bank or investment firm as a junior equity trader. With experience and success, you can eventually move up to becoming a senior equity trader or even a managing director of trading.

Related: Equity Trader Resume Example

Related: Equity Trader Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

Similar articles