Thematic Trading Group

UChicago's premier Trading organization

Interest Meeting 11/17, 5pm, Saieh Hall Room 203

Interest Form

Instagram

Thematic Trading Group

UChicago's premier Trading organization

Interest Meeting 11/17, 5pm, Saieh Hall Room 203

Interest Form

Instagram

Thematic Trading Group

UChicago's premier Trading organization

Interest Meeting 11/17, 5pm, Saieh Hall Room 203

Interest Form

Instagram

About Us

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Mission

Thematic Trading Group’s mission is to provide a community for people with big-picture interest in markets. Our philosophy centers around the idea that if you understand real life, you will understand the markets, and vice versa. We give members a strong foundation in trading to succeed in markets focused careers in the trading divisions of investment banks, hedgefunds, and prop shops.

1

Mission

Thematic Trading Group’s mission is to provide a community for people with big-picture interest in markets. Our philosophy centers around the idea that if you understand real life, you will understand the markets, and vice versa. We give members a strong foundation in trading to succeed in markets focused careers in the trading divisions of investment banks, hedgefunds, and prop shops.

1

Organization

All members meet weekly to discuss recent macro and geopolitical market moves, with senior members sharing a specific insight related to the week’s market climate, skill-building, or career tips. Separately, members are organized in teams, dubbed ‘desks’, covering the sectors of Interest Rates, Credit, Commodities, Foreign Exchange, and Securitized Products. Each desk spends the quarter building a trade pitch in its area and presents it to the full club at the end of the quarter.

2

Organization

All members meet weekly to discuss recent macro and geopolitical market moves, with senior members sharing a specific insight related to the week’s market climate, skill-building, or career tips. Separately, members are organized in teams, dubbed ‘desks’, covering the sectors of Interest Rates, Credit, Commodities, Foreign Exchange, and Securitized Products. Each desk spends the quarter building a trade pitch in its area and presents it to the full club at the end of the quarter.

2

Process

Admission is selective. We seek curious students who want to understand why markets move. You don’t need all the answers; you just need the drive to find them. Admitted students join a one-quarter New Recruit Education program taught by members. You’ll learn the basics to build a solid pitch in any of the five desks. The quarter ends with a Capstone Pitch on a product within the club’s scope, presented to the full club alongside desk pitches. Afterward, New Recruits become members and join a desk based on their preferences the next quarter.

3

Process

Admission is selective. We seek curious students who want to understand why markets move. You don’t need all the answers; you just need the drive to find them. Admitted students join a one-quarter New Recruit Education program taught by members. You’ll learn the basics to build a solid pitch in any of the five desks. The quarter ends with a Capstone Pitch on a product within the club’s scope, presented to the full club alongside desk pitches. Afterward, New Recruits become members and join a desk based on their preferences the next quarter.

3

Apply

Thematic Trading Group recruitment cycles for new members are at the beginning of Fall and Winter Quarters

When is the next recruitment cycle?

How can I prepare for the recruiment cycle?

What are the steps of the application process?

What do we look for in an applicant?

Can I apply without any finance background?

Do I have to major in Economics to do well in the club?

When is the next recruitment cycle?

How can I prepare for the recruiment cycle?

What are the steps of the application process?

What do we look for in an applicant?

Can I apply without any finance background?

Do I have to major in Economics to do well in the club?

When is the next recruitment cycle?

How can I prepare for the recruiment cycle?

What are the steps of the application process?

What do we look for in an applicant?

Can I apply without any finance background?

Do I have to major in Economics to do well in the club?

When is the next recruitment cycle?

How can I prepare for the recruiment cycle?

What are the steps of the application process?

What do we look for in an applicant?

Can I apply without any finance background?

Do I have to major in Economics to do well in the club?

Our Founders



Henry Cummins

Junior majoring in Economics with Honors from Washington DC. My hobbies include playing various games ranging from poker to board games, skiing, and reading about markets (Especially, The Economist and FT). I am an incoming Summer 2026 Fixed Income S&T intern at Morgan Stanley.

Junior majoring in Economics with Honors from Washington DC. My hobbies include playing various games ranging from poker to board games, skiing, and reading about markets (Especially, The Economist and FT). I am an incoming Summer 2026 Fixed Income S&T intern at Morgan Stanley.

Agustin Buteler

Senior majoring in Economics with a specialization in Business, minoring in Data Science. I am a Chicago-born, London raised, Argentinian. I am an avid rugby and tennis player, a River Plate fan, and I love the card game Truco! After two summers interning at Morgan Stanley, I will be joining them full-time as an interest rates trader in July 2026.

Elliott Gordon

Junior majoring in Economics with coursework in Statistics and Computer Science from Riverside, CT. I enjoy running and going to the gym in my free time as well as poker, boating, and photography. In the summer of 2026 I will be interning at Nomura within their Global Markets Division.

Maria Rivera

Sophomore majoring in Economics and Cognitive Science. I am from Columbus, OH with roots in Mexico and enjoy reading (especially behavioral economics books), swimming, running, and drinking matcha with family and friends. I interned last summer as an Equity Analyst on the investments team of an $8bn AUM Philanthropy and am currently recruiting for Sales & Trading.

Blaine Stewart

Sophomore majoring in Math and Economics from Houston TX. I enjoy working on old cars, learning skateboard tricks, board games, reading, and volleyball.