NEW YORK, May 29, 2026, 08:04 EDT
- Interactive Brokers stock ended Thursday at $83.11, about 2.7% higher, before normal Nasdaq trading opens at 9:30 a.m. ET.
- Interactive Brokers said in its latest monthly report that client equity reached $870.9 billion in April, with 4.859 million client accounts.
- S&P 500 stayed at a record as global stocks moved higher Friday, with traders citing hopes for a U.S.-Iran deal.
Interactive Brokers Group shares were little changed in Friday’s premarket after rising 2.7% on Thursday. The online broker’s stock is drawing new attention as investors look at strong client trading alongside a rally in financial and tech names. The Nasdaq hadn’t started regular trade in New York.
Timing is key for Interactive Brokers since its results swing with trading volume, client cash and margin lending. Margin loans are what clients borrow against portfolios to buy securities. The net interest income comes from the spread the broker collects after subtracting its own interest costs.
MSCI’s world stocks index touched a new all-time high in early Friday trading, according to Reuters, while Wall Street futures moved mostly sideways after the S&P 500’s record 7,563.63 close. Oil dropped about 2% as traders kept an eye on U.S.-Iran ceasefire and shipping talks. “Removes a tail risk,” BNZ’s Jason Wong said about the possible deal in Wellington. Reuters
Interactive Brokers posted solid April numbers, with daily average revenue trades hitting 4.241 million, an 11% rise from last year. DARTs, which track client orders per trading day, were up. Client equity jumped 48% to $870.9 billion. Margin loan balances climbed 57% to $91.3 billion, and client accounts rose 31% to 4.859 million.
Interactive Brokers’ first quarter is in, setting the earnings base for the stock. The firm posted GAAP diluted EPS of 59 cents on $1.67 billion in net revenue for the March period. Commission revenue jumped 19% to $613 million with more trading. Net interest income gained 17% to $904 million on bigger margin loans and customer credit.
Mixed action on the peer read. Charles Schwab slipped to $85.35, down a bit, while Robinhood jumped to $84.84 in early trading, market data showed. Traders often group Schwab, Robinhood, and Interactive Brokers since each has different exposure to retail flows, client cash, and market swings.
Interactive Brokers is still adding products aimed at boosting account engagement. Earlier this month, the company rolled out a combined platform for prediction markets. That lets clients trade on outcomes—like elections, economic reports, or climate events—across Kalshi, CME Group, and ForecastEx. Chief Executive Milan Galik said prediction markets are “reshaping how investors think about risk and uncertainty.” Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers expanded in May, opening up Korea Exchange stocks to approved clients outside Korea. The firm said the move adds over 2,700 listed names. “Korea is one of Asia’s most dynamic equity markets,” said David Friedland, Asia Pacific managing director. Interactive Brokers
But the trade can go both ways. When market stress drops and clients cut back on trading, commissions can slip. If rates go down or client cash moves around, net interest income can get squeezed. There are also limits on where prediction markets are available by affiliate and country, and there’s still regulatory scrutiny on event contracts in this business.
Investors are watching if May trading and account numbers match April levels, and if the stock rally keeps client equity up. The board lifted the quarterly dividend to 8.75 cents a share, payable June 12 to holders as of June 1.
