The TRADE and its sister publication Global Custodian have launched the third joint survey on outsourced trading in partnership with Ergo Consultancy to gather industry sentiment and service provider ratings in a flourishing segment of the market.
After a rollercoaster year of landmark mandates and surprise provider exits, this year’s survey is highly anticipated.
With broker-dealers, prime brokers and custodians alike investing heavily in offering outsourced trading units – alongside smaller, independent outfits – buy-side firms are increasingly turning to these services amid an environment of rising cost pressures and increasing market complexity together with a desire among to focus on their core strengths.
As a result, many are outsourcing coverage of certain regions or asset classes, while some outsource their entire trading operation, depending on firm size and goals.
The TRADE with its front-office audience, and Global Custodian with chief operations officers and other c-suites among its readers, have come together to ask their communities to rate their service providers to gain detailed insight on the sector and to help clients – both existing and prospective – differentiate the services on offer.
The survey was created in collaboration with Ergo Consultancy – a specialist firm advising asset managers and hedge funds on all aspects of trading and execution across asset classes – and incorporating industry feedback. The questions cover a comprehensive range of services and capabilities offered by outsourced trading firms.
The survey is now live and respondents can rate their providers through this link. Providers wishing to participate should contact beenish.hussain@globalcustodian.com
Results of the survey will be published as a handbook in Q2 2026, as well as digitally on both websites.