How much does a HFT trader typically make?

Discussion in 'Professional Trading' started by turkeyneck, Nov 23, 2011.

  1. MarkBrown

    MarkBrown

    you don't know about me obviously - i am kind ancient. just think of me as the trading version of cyrus the great ... or at the very least i am teispes.

    our trading goes 24/7 x 250 days x 5 markets in just one division. i work off a single 15" i7 macbookpro - any guess why?

    ""my model is like a trading machine which is mindlessly milling from a solid block of ignorance, something artistic which mankind has not the comprehension to appreciate." mark brown ""

    btw i was an insider but even that is not enough now, you have to have money to be on top. and have a willingness to understand and chase technology constantly. latency is your enemy.
     
    #61     Dec 2, 2011
  2. i hope you reply to the PM I sent you
     
    #62     Dec 2, 2011
  3. The alarm bells usually go off when the technically challenged run up against the technically advanced. Brother!! Psychology majors could write new text books from the blokes on this site.

    Mark has been around for a long time and does what he does with style. Well done Mark, if there is ever another World War, I want you in my corner.

    I get a kick out of the individuals that spend hours or even a few years trying to brow beat those that has achieved success in this business out of a morsel of information. They scream and yell that it is impossible. Pisses them off they will never have the focus or determination to figure it out on their own. It takes literally years and years and years of sacrifice to work through all of the failures to find that one glimmer of success. Just like in any career, there are those that don't give up and excel and those that barley keep their heads above water. This site has its share of the latter.

    Winston . . . you are on the right path. You will reach your goal given your current course. Push on buddy.
     
    #63     Dec 2, 2011
  4. MarkBrown

    MarkBrown

    thanks for the rare kind words, it's guys like Winston that make me work so hard. I admire them and want to help them but deep down think about those western movies I grew up on where they come gunning for you. You have to respect that.

    m
     
    #64     Dec 2, 2011
  5. Mark, it's people like yourself, in all walks of life, that give some of us the hope that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't an oncoming train.

    Keep on keeping on! You have my respect!
     
    #65     Dec 2, 2011
  6. What I do isn't fun anymore because its a numbers game. I have my little niche edge, its fairly safe and protected and not going anywhere for a while... It's boring and feels like stealing.

    Building the system was fun and things like making the decision to walk home from work every vs. pay the $2 for the subway was when things were fun.

    This is just an insider's numbers game and there is no thrill or excitement to it because it's a have vs. have-not situation.

    I don't mean any disrespect in this thread. Its a tough business and I'm very fortunate (and lucky) for my experiences.

    HFT is grossly misunderstood by the general public and its nice to see some people come out of the woodwork. There is a huge difference between buy side vs. sell side and equities vs. futures vs. forex and each is such a different animal that none can be compared.

    Regarding the Wild West - You can either take from the little guy or you can try to take from eachother. I think that translates to a choice between stabbing your buddy in the back or stealing $20 out of your mom or dad's wallet. Neither are good.
     
    #66     Dec 2, 2011
  7. The small guy can win and win large.
    We have an advantage over the big boys.
    HFT can be beat and it is done daily.
     
    #67     Dec 2, 2011
  8. what?

    who is 'we'?

    i don't even know you or why you are posting in this thread since you joined in 9/2011 but yet you seem to know members for years.

    who are you?
     
    #68     Dec 2, 2011
  9. case in point, they looked to hire a discretionary directional trader like me recently..

     
    #69     Dec 2, 2011
  10. i can eyeball the L2 and "pick a direction"

    its a joke

    manipulated, overdone, etc. if I know than everyone knows because I'm no smarter than anyone else. only a matter of time until they sh*t-can this market and move on to whatever the next thing Intel launches.

    this market is so overdone it feels like stealing.
     
    #70     Dec 3, 2011