noun
large-scale operators; big traders; major players
Refers to influential institutional investors, large securities firms, or major market participants in financial contexts. Often used in stock market or commodity trading discussions.
今日の相場は大手筋の買いが入って上昇した。
The market rose today on buying by large-scale operators.
大手筋の動向が個人投資家の判断
The moves of major players influence the decisions of individual investors.
仕手筋 refers to speculative operators or market manipulators, often with a negative connotation, whereas 大手筋 is neutral and simply indicates large-scale, legitimate participants.
Compound of 大手 (おおて, 'large-scale, major') and 筋 (すじ, 'line, source, channel'). The term likely originated in financial markets to denote influential trading entities.