Not all is lost for trading reps

ANECDOTAL evidence from remisiers and retail trading representatives (TRs) is that because of poor market conditions over the past year, an increasing number of their ranks are in danger of losing their jobs because they are unable to generate sufficient business for their broking firms to cover their costs.

There is also an email circulating that points the finger at computerised trading as a big contributing factor since many players find it difficult - if not impossible - to beat high-speed computers.

"Trade on your own and you get killed; don't do anything and you can't justify your existence because you have very little or no business," said a remisier, summing up the plight many TRs now face.