Mapping my journey from Refinitiv to Sparta

Moody Sultan is Commodity Owner – Data, Analytics & Intelligence for Sparta.

Moody joined Sparta in 2023 as Commodity Owner for Data, Analytics & Intelligence, bringing over a decade of experience in quantitative trading with a focus on commodities. Previously, he expanded Refinitiv’s commodities and energy portfolio in Geneva and led the energy market making desk at Geneva Trading in Dublin, where he developed automated trading strategies.

In the fast-paced world of trading, the quest for an edge is constant. The world is never standing still. New technologies, new trends, and new events all create new opportunities. The trick to unlocking potential is understanding where you are now, and where you could be if you made the right adjustments.

This is something I know only too well from my own career. After six years working at a trading desk, I spent two and a half years developing technology solutions for commodity traders at Refinitiv. This gave me valuable experience into the inner workings of the market data world. However, as time went on, I felt a growing desire to do more; to offer traders something beyond just the raw numbers. 

Understanding the impact of data limitations

While Refinitiv provided a vast amount of data, I began to see its limitations and the frustrations it caused for the very people who relied on it. It felt like we were in a “race to zero”, just pushing out more and more data without necessarily adding the crucial layers of insight that traders really need. 

I often heard stories from traders, even witnessed instances, where reliance on things like theoretical fair value curves led to significant losses because the underlying data wasn’t truly reflecting the live market. One particular example sticks in my mind where a company I knew in Geneva lost a substantial six-figure sum believing in the accuracy of a calculated swap price. That really highlighted the gap between simply providing data and delivering genuine, reliable market intelligence.

A belief in a better future

I knew I needed a new challenge, a place where I could truly disrupt the market. I believed there was a significant opportunity to move beyond the traditional market data model and provide traders with the conviction they needed to make better decisions. I wanted to be part of something that went deeper, that truly understood the nuances of commodity trading and offered actionable intelligence, not just a deluge of figures.

Fate, as it often does, intervened. While exploring opportunities, I was put in touch with Felipe, co-founder and CEO at Sparta. I remember our initial conversation vividly. I shared my frustrations, my vision for a different approach, and showcased some of the tools I had been working on. What struck me immediately was the alignment of our thinking. Felipe, even though Sparta was a relatively new player, had a clear ambition to empower traders in a way that went beyond the status quo.

Felipe recognised the potential in my vision and my understanding of the market’s pain points. Even though there wasn’t a fixed role for me, he invited me to join the Spartan revolution. That leap of faith, based on a shared belief in the future of market intelligence, was all the encouragement I needed.

A world of difference at Sparta

Joining Sparta felt like a breath of fresh air. Here was a company that wasn’t content with simply aggregating data. The focus was on providing genuine intelligence, and the foundation of that was ensuring accurate and real-time data directly from top brokers. We weren’t relying on calculated best guesses; we were pushing the raw, validated intelligence that traders could truly trust.

For me, the move to Sparta was about more than just a job change. It was about a fundamental shift in perspective – from passively delivering data to actively providing the intelligence that empowers traders to perform at their best. It was about taking the ambition and drive I had developed and applying it to fixing what I knew wasn’t working in the market. Looking back, it was the right decision, a move from a world of simple numbers to one where we strive to give traders the edge they truly deserve.

Pricing intelligence tools to help you make the switch too

If you’re a trader, analyst, or part of a trading organisation still navigating the oil markets with fragmented or outdated information, perhaps it’s time to consider making the same leap I did. 

The limitations of traditional data providers are becoming increasingly clear, and the need for genuine market intelligence has never been greater. At Sparta, we’re not just providing raw numbers; we’re delivering actionable insights, underpinned by reliable and accurate real-time data sourced directly from a curated network of brokers. 

Real-time access to Sparta’s live and forward pricing. (Sparta Curves – Table)

You’ll gain access to innovative tools like our unique forward physical and freight curves, all within a single, comprehensive platform designed specifically for the complexities of oil trading. 

Unmatched coverage of both physical and financial oil markets, tailored per product. (Sparta Curves – Dashboard)

By switching to Sparta, you can empower your teams with the conviction to trade with speed and precision, uncovering new opportunities and mitigating risks associated with relying on fragmented or even theoretically derived data. It’s time to move beyond simply having data and embrace true market intelligence that can give you a genuine competitive edge – the kind of intelligence that drew me to Sparta in the first place.

Start your free 45-day trial of Sparta Curves

Read more about Sparta’s comparisons with Refinitiv