I am aware that people in the HF industry are generally less focused on hours worked than people in IB / PE.
But still, it's a relevant question for someone considering entering the industry.
- Do you have time for hobbies before / after work during the week?
- How many hours would you estimate you work (including weekend reading etc.) per week?
- Are you generally happy with your WLB?
- What kind of fund are you at and what location?
You still work a lot (can range from 60 at chill SM to 100+ at some pods) and the hours you’re working are much more intensive. And in the hours you’re not “working,” you’re still worrying about work.
60-70 normally, probably closer to 70. 6:30 - 18:00 6 days a week. Earnings or when shit hits the fan can be closer to 6 - 18:30.
Big podshop LDN, been in seat a couple years now, was basically 80-90h during my ramp and 70+ when I was building out infra tools and still pretty inefficient.
Are these hours typical / average for pod shops in LDN? Also curious to know how your pay has increased since joining if you don’t mind sharing.
Agree w/ the above especially on work hours being much more intensive as you don't have the down time waiting for an MD to turn comments like you do in banking. Also deadlines are a little softer (outside of earnings / specific NT catalyst) so work / your work plan has a different sense of urgency too it.
I work at a SM and I would say its prob 60ish normally, but agree you are always kinda thinking about it or reading random things on the couch etc. I think the best part of it (compared to banking) is the work / work product is a lot more solo / independent so you have a lot more control on when you do the work (as long as its getting done). I typically will leave the office a bit early then finish up after dinner vs some other folks at my fund just work through and end their day earlier.
Depends on how quickly and accurately you can develop a variant view and execute a trade.
When I was a Global TMT analyst in an L/S portfolio at a pod, I took like 2 weeks to develop a view and set up a position. My dad is a successful professional investor (self-made multi-millionaire) and I swear I have not seen him spend more than a week or do any thorough DD to execute a trade, but he wins big and very consistently.
Ultimately, investing depends on the input, not necessarily the time you dedicate to it. Diminishing marginal returns aside, if someone spends a month or 2 developing the same variant view with the same rationale and drivers that you developed in a week, you have won. Especially if you make money on it. It sounds corny, but some folks really just have somewhat of a natural feel, like an F1 driver or rally driver has with their car
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