| Emeging Markets | The EM section, price of oil; But I would emphasise it's not about memorising articles from the financial press to impress the interviewer with, it's about having a good, albeit general, BIG PICTURE about the global financial environment and being aware of the larger eco-political issues out there. Personally, I've always found the economist an excellent read. |
| Equity Research | Personally I don't tend to test current financial knowledge, though bringing live current examples into answers to more theoretical questions is always impressive. However reading the FT on a regular basis will give candidates an overall understanding of how the investment process works and what things the market cares about. |
| Fixed Income | Yield on US Treasuries (e.g 10yr notes), EURUSD; But I would emphasise it's not about memorising articles from the financial press to impress the interviewer with, it's about having a good, albeit general, BIG PICTURE about the global financial environment and being aware of the larger eco-political issues out there. Personally, I've always found the economist an excellent read. |
| FX Forwards Trading | What is going on in the world, general view on the world. No specific views on a company or country but perhaps whcih sectors or areas of the world are doing well and have potential in growing. Looking to the future by reading news. general understanding of how a particular set of news will affect relevant markets. candidate should understand basic important facts about how oil prices, dollar rates, stock markets affect one another. |
| Sales & Trading | Know the basic current macro-economics picture - e.g. any talk of interest rates, GDP, effect of oil price on market, any talk of recesssion/ boom e.g. if market is net long ie good for equities vs bonds |
| Sales & Trading | Know the basic definition of an option/ derivative |
| Equity Derivatives Trading | All the figures: Interest rates,
FX rates, Major indices - Lex column - Frontpage of FT - One non-financial news - General sentiment of the markets, a good way is explaining in 6 points: FX, Inflation, Interest Rates, GDP, Equity markets, Bond markets. |
| Fixed Income/EurUsd Fwd Trading Desk | I would just like the candidate to have an understanding and be able to have a conversation about the world economy. Nothing in depth but just a general overview. However if they interested in trading it would be expected they had a view whether right or wrong. e.g. I think US is doing well because abc.. and I would be confident to buy stocks to reflect this view. |