Let’s say, at a very rough estimate, about half a million worldwide. Their goal is to earn the highest returns possible for the same amount of risk so as to satisfy their clients – those retailers who, in turn, must satisfy the investors who have turned to them.
They strive to emerge in a highly competitive environment, but basically they use the same methods, chasing news about the financial outlooks of companies and countries one second before their competitors. And the speculators? They also exist, of course.