7 Advanced Trading Tools You Need to Succeed in Uncertain Markets

As investment firms navigate a rapidly changing economic landscape, trading desks must continuously adapt to stay competitive.  

In their 2025 Investment Management Outlook survey, Deloitte highlights that firms are operating in an environment marked by shifting investor preferences, fluctuating profit margins, sustained high interest rates, and evolving regulatory demands.  

In markets like these, growing revenue, streamlining processes, and managing risks must be top priorities if firms are to come out ahead. 

More than ever, traders need access to tools that allow them to analyze markets, execute trades quickly, and adapt to changing conditions—all while maintaining job satisfaction in an intense environment.  

Advanced trading tools equip traders with the resources to make informed decisions swiftly and execute trades effectively, helping them succeed in their roles while supporting the firm's success.  

Here are the 7 advanced trading tools traders need today: 

1. Flexible Trade Automation 

To get the most out of today's shifting markets, empower your traders to focus on the things that matter most.   

Especially for trading desks struggling with headcount, using automated trading capabilities like algo wheels and automated order routing to trade low-touch orders is an excellent way to free up traders' time and get orders to market fast.    

When your traders no longer need to focus on these simple, automatable trades, they can spend more time doing what they do best: fostering relationships, finding opportunities to capture more alpha, and working more complex trades.  

This focus on more complex trading makes better use of their time and helps keep them engaged and committed to their jobs.  

2.  Fast and Streamlined Access to Liquidity 

Cumbersome or manual trading workflows slow down processes and may cause you to miss opportunities as they arise.   

Technology that provides centralized access to multi-broker aggregated liquidity and tools enables traders to dynamically manage positions, portfolios, and trading risk across global equity, futures, and options markets.   

Moreover, features that support fast and streamlined access to liquidity – like algo wheels and "hot keys" – help to get orders out to market in less clicks.   

3.  Integrated Compliance Functionality 

Compliance looms over every market, but in fast-moving markets with high volumes, compliance becomes even more challenging, and the last thing you want is cumbersome compliance workflows slowing down your trades.  

You need a system that integrates compliance functionality right into your trading workflow. This level of integration keeps traders happy with smooth-flowing trades while also satisfying the evolving requirements of your compliance team. 

4.  Best Execution Measurement and Transaction Cost Analysis (TCA) 

In volatile markets, knowing if and when you are trading efficiently and effectively can often take time and effort.   

Technology is a vital resource for helping you understand your performance. Systems with built-in best execution measurement tools like charting and market fragmentation can track and monitor your performance and help you stay on top of your obligations.   

Moreover, your system should be able to integrate with third-party TCA providers. These providers can ingest your data and offer valuable insight.  

5.  Scalability  

The ups and downs of the market mean you need to be able to capture opportunities as they arise. Doing so requires technology you can depend on to meet your needs today and scale to secure new opportunities in the future.   

Ideally, your technology provider offers a wide breadth of solutions you can deploy modularly to meet your needs as you grow. An investment ecosystem, for example, extends the value of your technology by enabling you to access and deploy new solutions faster than ever before. 

Market changes are inevitable. As your firm continuously seeks to capture new opportunities as they arise, technology will only play an ever-increasing role. So be sure your technology provider invests heavily in R&D and innovation and that they have a well-constructed roadmap aligned with your goals and ability to evolve. 

 6.  Mobile Capabilities

In discussions of today’s complex and evolving markets at events, industry leaders shared that agility is non-negotiable. To remain agile and harness opportunities when the time is right, these managers are leveraging mobile trading capabilities.    

If you want to work at peak efficiency, you need to be able to respond to opportunities anywhere, anytime. That requires seamless access to your technology across browser, desktop, and mobile.  

7.  Client Service Based on Your Needs 

When it comes to investment technology, your vendor's service team should not only know your technology but how and why you use it.   

When considering a new vendor partnership, be sure to ask what level of service and support they provide, when they are available, and how fast they’ll return your calls. 

Also, think about managed services as a way to expand your team and free up additional time for staff without increasing headcount. Your vendor's managed services team should be able to support essential, routine daily and monthly processes – all from within your existing technology platform.    

Most importantly, you want a vendor with the expertise and experience needed to become a partner to your firm now and well into the future.   

In Changing Markets, Don’t Be Left Behind 

SS&C’s EMS technology provides firms with the tools they need to thrive in a dynamic market environment. 

From its back-end infrastructure to its front-office user experience—SS&C’s EMS is built and supported by industry experts with deep knowledge of investment firm operations and front-office trading needs. These professionals actively listen to user feedback, embedding that insight into our technology and every client interaction.  

This unique combination of expertise, cutting-edge technology, and unwavering commitment to client success sets SS&C apart. It equips traders and investment firms with the resources they need to confidently navigate shifting market conditions. 

Whether you’re looking to buy, upgrade, or change trading systems, SS&C's Trading Technology Buyer's Guide is your definitive resource for understanding how to apply the trading technology available to you to navigate today’s uncertain markets and set your firm up for success.   

Contact us to learn more about how SS&C’s Eze EMS can help your firm thrive.