A trading operation involves buying and selling financial instruments like stocks, currencies, commodities, or crypto with the goal of making a profit. Traders may work individually or as part of an institutional desk at a bank, hedge fund, or proprietary trading firm. Operations include market research, risk management, executing orders, and monitoring positions. Trading styles vary — some traders hold positions for seconds (high-frequency trading), while others take longer-term positions based on technical or fundamental analysis.

Risk control is crucial: traders use stop-losses, hedging, or diversification to limit losses. Modern trading operations rely heavily on technology — algorithms, automated trading bots, and real-time data feeds help traders act quickly and efficiently. Compliance with regulations and transparency in reporting are also core parts of responsible trading operations.