Dealers (1989)

Trader's Film Library #20 · Markets and trading in fiction. A British picture of a late-1980s trading floor.

Original title: Dealers · Type: film · Created by: Colin Bucksey · Usefulness for traders: ★★☆☆☆

What it's about

The London branch of an American bank is in crisis after a $100 million loss. One of the dealers (Paul McGann) tries to save the situation by taking ever bigger risks.

What it has to do with markets

A British film from the era of the City of London's “Big Bang”. It shows a trading floor and the pressure to win back losses.

Lessons for traders

• trying to win back losses with more risk (the break-even effect, Atlas of biases #38)
• institutional pressure carries over into the trader's decisions
• risk rules have to apply all the time

What to watch out for

Little known and hard to find. Better to watch Margin Call first.

Discussion

The discussion takes place in Hetman Capital Club (in Polish). Join the discussion in the Club →

Navigation

← #19 Working Girl · Film Library index · #21 The Bonfire of the Vanities →

The description outlines the plot without revealing the ending where possible (true stories have a known outcome). Educational content, not investment advice.