Interactive Brokers Sees Strong Growth in 2024 Performance

​Interactive Brokers wrapped up 2024 with impressive performance, showcasing significant growth in key operating metrics. This success was driven by rising client engagement and expanded financial activities across its platform.

The brokerage reported 3.267 million Daily Average Revenue Trades (DARTs) for December 2024, a remarkable 66% year-over-year increase. However, the figure saw a slight 1% decline compared to November 2024. Despite this small month-on-month dip, the year-on-year growth underscored the firm's ongoing strength in the market.

Client equity ended the year at $568.2 billion, representing a solid 33% increase compared to December 2023, although it was down 1% from the previous month. The number of client accounts also reached a milestone of 3.34 million, up 30% year-over-year and 3% compared to November 2024. This growth reflects strong demand for the firm's brokerage services, as well as the platform's ability to attract and retain clients.

In terms of margin loan balances, Interactive Brokers posted $64.2 billion, up 45% from the previous year, with a 7% month-on-month increase. Similarly, client credit balances reached $119.7 billion, growing 15% year-over-year and 1% compared to November 2024. Notably, insured bank deposit sweeps accounted for $4.9 billion of the total client credit balances.

The brokerage's efficiency was evident in its trading cost metrics, with the average commission per cleared commissionable order standing at $2.58, which includes exchange, clearing, and regulatory fees. The commission on stock trades averaged $1.84 per order, while futures trades averaged 3.1 contracts at $4.56. These figures reflect Interactive Brokers' commitment to providing cost-effective solutions, especially for its IBKR PRO users.

While December's global metrics showed a slight decline, with the firm's global performance down by 0.58% month-on-month and 1.45% year-over-year, Interactive Brokers' diversified platform ensured solid engagement across 150 global markets. This broad reach has allowed the firm to weather fluctuations in specific market conditions while maintaining a strong presence in the electronic trading space.