A jobber is a trader who executes very short-term trading strategies, typically holding positions for only seconds or minutes. Also called a scalper, a jobber profits from capturing small price movements across a large volume of trades throughout a trading session.
How Jobbers Operate
Jobbers use rapid-fire trading strategies that depend on high market liquidity, where they can enter and exit positions quickly. Each individual trade generates a small profit from minor price movements, but the high volume of trades compounds into meaningful returns. They depend heavily on technical analysis and real-time market data to identify entry and exit points quickly.
Costs and Risks
Jobbing carries distinct costs: with a high volume of trades per session, transaction costs accumulate rapidly and can erode profits. Slippage—executing at a worse price than intended due to market movement between order placement and execution—is a constant threat in fast markets. Jobbers also face psychological stress from constant market monitoring and the high-frequency decision-making required.
Market Role
Despite the risks, jobbers serve a valuable market function: they provide continuous liquidity and supply and demand for securities, meaning other traders can enter or exit positions quickly. However, jobbing requires discipline, fast execution, and a broker offering low transaction costs and reliable, fast trading platforms.
