Columbia Global Markets Division [CGMD]
Sales & Trading, Fundamental Research, and Quantitative Finance
Recent Member Placements (2025 - Present)
CGMD prepares students for careers across global markets, including Sales & Trading, macro and fundamental research, discretionary investing and quantitative trading.
Our members come from a wide range of academic backgrounds and may focus on fundamental and client-facing markets, quantitative markets, or explore both. No prior coding or quantitative experience is required. Through weekly market discussions, specialized pods, presentations, competitions, and industry exposure, members learn to interpret market developments, develop and communicate trade ideas, and prepare for careers across the industry.
Hudson River Trading Algo Arena (2026)
One Division. Multiple Paths Through Markets.
CGMD is designed for students with different interests across the markets industry. All members participate in the broader division community while pursuing the subjects and opportunities most relevant to their goals.
-
CGMD members work in small, collaborative teams to explore specialized areas of the markets, develop independent perspectives, and apply what they learn beyond the classroom.
Our pods cover geopolitical research, currencies and commodities, options and derivatives, prediction markets, and other topics shaped by member interest. Beginning this academic year, members will rotate between pods, allowing everyone to participate in at least two different pods each semester and gain exposure to multiple areas of the markets.
-
Every Sunday, CGMD meets as a division to discuss current market developments. Pods present their research and trading views, while members participate in interactive activities such as market-making exercises, trading games, and group discussions.
-
CGMD organizes the Columbia Undergraduate Trading Competition and hosts firm-led talks, workshops, and recruiting events. Past initiatives include events with Citadel Securities and Hudson River Trading, giving members opportunities to apply their skills and learn directly from industry professionals.
Markets, Fundamentals & Sales and Trading
Members interested in fundamental and discretionary markets examine macroeconomic, geopolitical, and asset-specific developments across equities, rates, currencies, commodities, and derivatives. Through Sunday division meetings, specialized pods, market recaps, and member-led presentations, they learn to form market views, develop trade ideas, and communicate their reasoning clearly.
Quantitative Education Program
In addition to the Sunday division meeting, members interested in quantitative trading and research participate in a dedicated 90-minute quantitative education session each week, typically held on Fridays.
Our quantitative education program is led by a member with Jane Street internship experience, with a curriculum developed by members who have interned at Optiver, Jump Trading, and Citadel Securities. Members are expected to reinforce each session through independent study and practice questions provided outside of meetings. Weekly sessions then bring these skills to life through interactive trading games, collaborative problem-solving, and firm-specific challenges modeled on the recruiting processes of leading quantitative trading firms.
Member-Led Initiatives
Senior Analysts bring their own industry experience and technical interests into CGMD’s education. For example, a member with experience at a cryptocurrency company developed and taught a course on blockchain technology, taking members beyond the basics to explore its technical foundations, architecture, and applications.
Beyond our structured curriculum and research, members are encouraged to turn their own interests and experience into initiatives for the broader CGMD community.
More Ways to Get Involved
CUTC Development
Members interested in software development can collaborate on the technical infrastructure behind the Columbia Undergraduate Trading Competition (CUTC), building tools and systems designed for a live trading environment.
Market Recaps
The first 10-15 minutes of each division meeting are dedicated to market recaps. Members interested in global markets (particularly those exploring careers in Sales & Trading) identify and analyze notable developments, present their perspectives, and lead group discussions.
History
Founded in 2010, Columbia University Financial Engineering was an undergraduate student group focused on following current events in banking and capital markets. Through research teams in both fundamental and quantitative finance, members were offered the opportunity to practically develop and execute investment strategies.
