An MBA finance graduate from Fordham University, Michael Franko is a respected trader who draws upon more than four decades of professional experience. After a successful career working with a number of different companies, Michael Franko set up his own firm, Paddock Court Trading.
Paddock Court Trading was established in 2017, and Mr. Franko serves as the managing member of the firm, which operates as a commodity trading advisor (CTA). The CTA works closely with Pangea Partners, Arbitrage Trading Cayman, and Arbitrage Trading LLC. Under his leadership and guidance, the company engages in market research and trading and oversees risk management.
Mr. Franko’s trading experience began at Marmon Group’s Cerro Sales, where he served in different departments, such as physical traffic, clearing, sales, and foreign exchange before ultimately joining the trading department. He helped set up the options trading department, which created trading strategies, developed pricing models, and engaged in risk management analysis.
Michael Franko has also served as director of commodity trading at New Jersey’s Willowbridge Associates, where his duties included research, execution, and risk management analysis. When he’s not working, Mr. Franko enjoys spending time playing golf, going to the beach, and fishing.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
On the trading desk, making money
How do you bring ideas to life?
Research them
What’s one trend that excites you?
Artificial Intelligence
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Intensity
What advice would you give your younger self?
Stay at it
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
“The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” – Ronald Reagan.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Exercise
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Take a walk
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Ask questions of experts in that field
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Listening to the advice of a partner and trusting him without verifying
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Proprietary Algorithms
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Machiavelli’s The Prince
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The Godfather. It is the best framework to understand government and business.
Key learnings
- The harder he worked, the luckier he got.
- Trust but verify.
- Learn something new every day.