1. What is proprietary trading?

Proprietary trading (prop trading) occurs when a firm trades stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, derivatives, or any other financial product, using the firm’s own money. The goal is to earn a return on capital for the firm as opposed to any external customers of the firm. Many strategies, including index and statistical arbitrage, long/short equity, volatility arbitrage and global macro are common amongst proprietary trading firms, in addition to many other internally developed strategies.

2. What are derivatives?

Derivatives are financial contracts entered into by two or more parties that “derive” their value based on the price of an underlying security. Derivatives usually specify conditions (such as dates, values of the underlying, notional amounts) under which payments are to be made between the parties. The most common types of derivatives are options, futures, swaps, and are usually traded on an exchange or over the counter. Derivatives can be used for speculation (“bets”) or to hedge (“insurance”).

3. Who participates in the options market?

The options market is made up of a wide variety of participants, including retail customers, institutional investors, hedge funds, pension funds, wealth managers, market makers, proprietary trading firms, high frequency traders, and speculators.

1. What is RTG’s approach to proprietary trading?

Raptor seeks to earn returns on its own capital through a variety of trading strategies. RTG has no customers or outside investors. We utilize our own proprietary ideas, software, and research to deploy our capital. We are not restricted by any external shareholder or investment charter that dictates how we can trade. This allows us to be flexible in evolving our strategies to meet opportunity in the market and is a source of competitive advantage we have versus larger firms in the industry. Raptor provides 100% of the capital, with no fees for training. In short, we don’t make money unless you do, so our goals are the same – to make you a successful trader. Compensation is 100% performance based, and is not capped in any way.

2. What products do you trade?

RTG trades globally listed equity, index and Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) options markets, numbering over 3500 individual underlying securities. We also actively trade the entire complex of volatility based future, options and securities. In addition to these products we are active in many equity, financial, and commodity futures and options markets.

3. Are you a high frequency trading firm?

Raptor relies on constant innovation in technology, low-latency networks, and algorithmic trading platforms that allow us to access the markets in a highly efficient manner. In addition, we successfully manage strategies that allow us to hold positions for longer durations, relying on risk management systems to help us earn higher returns on trades.

4. What is Raptor’s view towards automated trading in the markets?

Trends in electronic and algorithmic execution continue to become more prevalent in the market, and we continue to evolve our trading strategies in that direction. However, short of being a black box trading firm, we believe that human interaction can be a valuable input and tool in the successful implementation and risk management of trading strategies. We believe this integrated approach will continue to be a key to our success.

5. What is Raptor’s Technology approach?

Our technology platform is a collection of services and applications that enables us to scale and innovate with minimal effect on other parts of the system. We use agile development methodologies that allow for short release cycles to provide rapid business feedback. With the market increase in algorithmic trading strategies, automated testing and Quality Assurance processes have become increasingly more important to manage risk and complexity.

6. Does Raptor develop its own software?

RTG relies heavily on a large internal team of architects, developers, network specialists, QA analysts and data experts to develop most of its own software for combined proprietary use, often partnering with their own traders. While the majority of the system is built in-house, we do buy best-of-breed components or utilize open source solutions for the application infrastructure including messaging and core libraries. We primarily develop in C#, C++, or Python, running alongside Windows and Linux.

1. What makes working at Raptor unique?

RTG prides itself on providing a collaborative and innovative work environment that allows employees to impact and contribute to the success of the firm from early on in their careers. Our education team provides exceptional learning and development opportunities for employees to expand their skills and enhance their development. It is also important to us that employees enjoy their work and have fun participating in social activities together outside the office.

2. How do I join Raptor’s team?

We are always looking for passionate, talented individuals in all competencies across the firm. Whether as a full-time trader, software engineer or support intern, we encourage you to apply if you are up for the challenge. Submit your resume for current opportunities or for general submission.

3. Does Raptor recruit on campus?

Yes, we travel to the top universities across the country every year. Inquire to see if Raptor is coming to your school and learn more about our Training Programs and internships.

4. What do I do after I submit my resume?

Raptor’s recruiting team reviews every resume that is submitted. If your qualifications are a match we will reach out to you directly when appropriate. If you are not a match for a current opening, we will keep your resume in our online database for future opportunities.

Days at THT can be quite varied

Traders arrive around 7:30am CST, eat breakfast and conduct some market research for the open at 8:30am CST. Traders usually have a quick lunch mid-day and the market closes at 3:00pm CST. The traders then finish up for the day; do some more research or spend time relaxing and interacting with colleagues; some just head home to spend time with their family and friends.