What is the primary purpose of a trading desk?

The primary purpose of a trading desk is to buy and sell securities. This function is central to the operations of a trading desk, as it focuses on executing trades in financial markets to capitalize on price movements. Traders working at a trading desk are responsible for executing orders quickly and efficiently, ensuring that they take advantage of market opportunities while managing risk.

This activity involves not just the execution of trades but also the strategies that underpin these transactions, including market making and arbitrage. A trading desk aims to generate profits through active trading, which involves continual buying and selling based on market conditions, liquidity, and the traders' strategies.

While the analysis of market trends, management of portfolios, and client advisory services are related functions that can occur in the broader scope of financial services and investment management, they are not the primary focus of a trading desk. The desk operates under the immediate goal of facilitating trades, making option B the correct answer.