stockbroker working hours

dominatrix1 · 1 Nov 2010 at 14:31

Im a recent grad and thinking about becoming a stock broker, however just wondered if people knew what the average working hours were? Does work finish when the stock market closes?

ntg · 1 Nov 2010 at 14:42

wrong forum, you're better off looking for specialised forums. The Student's Room consultancy and banking subforum is probably better suited to answer your questions.

Nonetheless, stock brokers will usually work market hours plus a bit more before/after. They may need to entertain traders so that could add to their hours but generally they would have better hours than other parts of investment banking (if you consider S&T or stock broking as part of it but it's useful as a reference point).

btw, are you sure you are interested in stock broking and not trading? just asking because people sometimes confuse them.

Russinating · 1 Nov 2010 at 14:43

dominatrix1 said:
Does work finish when the stock market closes?

You're a recent grad and you don't know that? I know nothing... but I certainly know that's not the case!

It's all research research research. Plus the FTSE isn't independent - market prices will be affected by markets open before 9am and after 5pm as well as any company announcements outside these hours.

PapaLazaru · 1 Nov 2010 at 14:49

You can easily work 12 per day plus at the beginning. Add on the mandatory beers after work as well.

Tough job but if you can tough it out the rewards are, of course, high.

I have a couple of mates who do this and they work less now that they have their client's but one is on the verge of a total burnout at the age of 31.

Burnsy2023 · 1 Nov 2010 at 14:51

PapaLazaru said:
You can easily work 12 per day plus at the beginning. Add on the mandatory beers after work as well.

Tough job but if you can tough it out the rewards are, of course, high.

I have a couple of mates who do this and they work less now that they have their client's but one is on the verge of a total burnout at the age of 31.

I have a few friends who are a bit younger but are in the same position. 12hr days are common, 10 hour days are standard.

ntg · 1 Nov 2010 at 14:52

Burnsy2023 said:
I have a few friends who are a bit younger but are in the same position. 12hr days are common, 10 hour days are standard.

My friends work 20h days and live in a shoebox at the side of the street as well

Spit · 1 Nov 2010 at 16:10

My friends get up an hour before they go to bed!

robgmun · 1 Nov 2010 at 17:11

dominatrix1 said:
Im a recent grad and thinking about becoming a stock broker, however just wondered if people knew what the average working hours were? Does work finish when the stock market closes?

I've worked in a few trade floors, most did 12-13hr days

Stretch · 1 Nov 2010 at 17:14

Spit said:
My friends get up an hour before they go to bed!

Pfff, bed is for wimps.

Kemik · 1 Nov 2010 at 18:27

kgi said:
Nonetheless, stock brokers will usually work market hours plus a bit more before/after. They may need to entertain traders so that could add to their hours but generally they would have better hours than other parts of investment banking (if you consider S&T or stock broking as part of it but it's useful as a reference point).

A bit before? Try 2 hours before