Art Cashin, Wall Street icon and New York Stock Exchange fixture, dies at 83

Art Cashin, the legendary UBS director of floor operations at the NYSE and longtime CNBC personality has died at 83.

Art Cashin, who served as the director of floor operations at the New York Stock Exchange for UBS and was referred to by The Washington Post as "Wall Street's version of Walter Cronkite," has died at 83. He had been a regular figure on CNBC for more than 25 years.

In the competitive and often ruthless world of stock market analysis, Cashin was a rare individual who earned the respect of all, whether they were optimistic or pessimistic about the market, and regardless of their political leanings. He seemed to have very few, if any, detractors.

Known for his storytelling skills and love of a good drink, Cashin was cherished for his lively character.

For decades, Cashin met with a group of close friends each day after the market closed. They first gathered at the NYSE luncheon club and later at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse across the street, becoming known as the "Friends of Fermentation." Dewar’s on the rocks was his drink of choice.

His success stemmed from a combination of wit, intelligence, and charm, alongside a steadfast refusal to adopt many modern conveniences. Cashin was closely tied to the traditions of the NYSE, and every Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, he would lead the group in singing the 1905 song "Wait 'Till the Sun Shines, Nellie."

Cashin was adamant about avoiding credit cards and always paid for everything—particularly his substantial bar tabs—with cash. He was also very private and never used a computer, preferring to send handwritten notes to his assistant. For many years, he carried an outdated flip phone, which he rarely answered.

His desk, piled with papers collected over the years, often resembled a recycling bin.

Cashin’s attire was typically informal, with rumpled suits and old-fashioned ties, but this was part of the carefully crafted image he developed over five decades on Wall Street.