Interactive Brokers Reports Strong Q1 2026 Growth with Client Accounts Surging 31%

Interactive Brokers announced increased revenue and earnings for the first quarter of 2026, driven by higher trading activity and significant growth in client accounts and balances. The company also raised its quarterly dividend following the results.

According to the Tuesday announcement, diluted earnings per share were $0.59, up from $0.48 a year earlier. Adjusted earnings per share stood at $0.60. Net revenue reached $1.67 billion, compared to $1.43 billion in the prior-year period, with adjusted revenue at $1.68 billion.

Income before taxes rose to $1.29 billion from $1.06 billion, and the pretax profit margin improved to 77% from 74%. Commission revenue increased 19% to $613 million, supported by a 25% rise in stock trading volume and increases of 20% and 16% in futures and options volumes, respectively.

Net interest income grew 17% to $904 million, reflecting higher average customer margin loans and credit balances. Other fees and services revenue rose 10% to $86 million. However, execution, clearing, and distribution fees declined 12% to $106 million due to lower regulatory fees and higher exchange rebates.

The broker's client base expanded significantly, with customer accounts rising 31% to 4.75 million. Customer equity increased 38% to $789.4 billion. Daily average revenue trades grew 24% to 4.37 million. Customer credit balances and margin loans each rose 35% to $168.8 billion and $86.0 billion, respectively.

Total equity stood at $21.3 billion at quarter-end. The board approved a quarterly dividend of $0.0875 per share, up from $0.08, payable on June 12, 2026, to shareholders of record on June 1. The company noted that its currency diversification strategy reduced comprehensive earnings by $53 million due to a decline in its currency basket's value against the US dollar.