ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes in Item 1, included elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical information, the following discussion also contains forward‑looking statements that include risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward‑looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2026, and elsewhere in this report.
When we use the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and “IBKR,” we mean IBG, Inc. and its subsidiaries (including IBG LLC) for the periods presented. Unless otherwise indicated, the term “common stock” refers to the Class A common stock of IBG, Inc.
On April 15, 2025, the Company announced its intention to effect a four-for-one forward split of its common stock. This was executed by the filing of an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation that, among other things (i) increased the Company’s authorized shares of Class A common stock to 4,000,000,000 shares from 1,000,000,000 shares and (ii) increased the Company’s authorized shares of Class B Common Stock to 1,000 shares from 100 shares to accommodate the stock split. The Company’s Board of Directors subsequently authorized the stock split and each holder of record of common stock as of the close of market on June 16, 2025, received three additional shares of common stock. All prior period share and per share amounts presented herein have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split.
Introduction
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (the “Company” or “IBG, Inc.”) is a holding company whose primary asset is its ownership of approximately 26.3% of the membership interests of IBG LLC. The remaining approximately 73.7% of IBG LLC membership interests are held by IBG Holdings LLC (“Holdings”), a holding company that is owned by our founder and Chairman, Mr. Thomas Peterffy and his affiliates, management and other employees of IBG LLC, and certain other members. The table below shows the amount of IBG LLC membership interests held by IBG, Inc. and Holdings as of March 31, 2026.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IBG, Inc. |
|
Holdings |
|
Total |
Ownership % |
26.3% |
|
73.7% |
|
100.0% |
Membership interests |
445,616,326 |
|
1,250,737,416 |
|
1,696,353,742 |
We are an automated global broker. We custody and service accounts for hedge and mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), registered investment advisors, proprietary trading groups, introducing brokers and individual investors. We specialize in routing orders and executing, clearing and settling trades in stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs and precious metals on more than 170 electronic exchanges and market centers in 40 countries and 29 currencies around the world. In addition, our customers can use our trading platform to trade certain cryptocurrencies through third-party cryptocurrency service providers that execute, clear and custody the cryptocurrencies. We also offer trading in prediction markets, which are event-based contracts traded on ForecastEx, a CFTC-registered exchange and clearinghouse we established.
Powered by our proprietary technology, our systems provide our customers with the capability to monitor multiple markets around the world simultaneously and to execute trades electronically at a low cost, in multiple products and currencies from a single trading account. Our overnight trading facilities, available for an array of instruments, support our customers who trade across time zones. The ever-growing complexity of multiple market centers across diverse geographies provides us with ongoing opportunities to build and continuously adapt our order routing software to secure excellent execution prices.
Since our inception in 1977, we have focused on developing proprietary software to automate broker‑dealer functions. The proliferation of electronic exchanges and market centers has allowed us to integrate our software with an increasing number of trading venues – as well as with market data sources, securities lending platforms and regulatory reporting facilities – creating one automated platform that requires minimal human intervention.
Our customer base is diverse with respect to geography and type. Currently, our customers reside in over 200 countries and territories. We serve individuals, as well as institutional accounts such as hedge funds, financial advisors, proprietary trading firms and introducing brokers. Specialized products and services that we have developed successfully attract institutional accounts. For example, we offer prime brokerage services, including financing and securities lending, to hedge funds; our model portfolio technology and automated share allocation and rebalancing tools are particularly attractive to financial advisors; and our trading platform, global access and low pricing attract introducing brokers.
Business Environment
During the quarter ended March 31, 2026 (“current quarter”), global equity markets were mixed, with most major market indices declining amid uncertainties related to ongoing geopolitical conflicts and inflationary pressures, including those associated with rising oil prices. In the Americas, U.S. equity markets began the quarter strongly in January but declined over the rest of the period, with the S&P 500® index decreasing 4.6% compared to the prior quarter, while Canadian markets posted modest gains. Most European markets also declined. In the Asia-Pacific region, performance was mixed, with declines in China, Hong Kong and Australia, and gains in Japan.
Within the U.S., market performance diverged as investors rotated away from large-cap technology stocks into commodity-linked sectors, particularly energy. The decline in the S&P 500® index was driven in part by the group of large-cap technology companies commonly referred to as the “Magnificent Seven”, each of which underperformed the broader market, resulting in relative outperformance by the remainder of the index.
Inflationary pressures re-emerged during the quarter, contributing to uncertainty regarding monetary policy across several major economies. Most central banks maintained policy interest rates and adopted a cautious, wait-and-see approach, as ongoing geopolitical conflicts and trade policy uncertainty reduced the likelihood of near-term rate cuts. As a result, expectations for additional monetary easing faded, weighing on market sentiment. Retail investor participation remained elevated, with continued engagement in equity, futures and options markets.
The following is a summary of the key economic drivers that affect our business and how they compared to the prior-year quarter:
Global trading volumes. Worldwide, equity trading volumes at most major venues increased during the current quarter compared to the prior-year quarter. In the U.S., according to industry data, average daily volume increased by 27% in listed cash equities, 20% in exchange-listed equity-based options and 22% in futures, each compared to the prior-year quarter. Options trading volumes continue to benefit from the growing popularity of shorter-dated contracts. In futures markets, volumes increased across all major product categories, including metals, energy, interest rates, equity indices, agriculture products and foreign exchange, as market participants sought to manage exposure to ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
These market dynamics produced strong results across our major product types. Customer trading volumes in equities, options, and futures increased by 25%, 16%, and 20%, respectively, compared to the prior-year quarter, though foreign exchange volumes decreased by 12% over the same period.
Note that while U.S. cash equities, options and futures volumes are readily comparable measures, they reflect most but not all of the global volumes that generate our commission revenue. See ‘‘Trading Volumes and Customer Statistics’’ below in this Item 7 for additional details regarding our trade volumes, contract and share volumes, and customer statistics.
Volatility. U.S. market volatility, as measured by the average Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index (‘‘VIX ®’’), increased by 10%, from an average of 18.5 in the prior-year quarter to 20.4 in the current quarter, still below the elevated levels reached in 2020 and 2022. In general, higher volatility typically enhances our performance because it often correlates positively with customer trading activity across product types.
Interest Rates. The U.S. Federal Reserve maintained the benchmark federal funds rate during the quarter, after cutting it three times in the second half of 2025 (September, October and December) by a total of 75 basis points. This resulted in a target range of 3.50% to 3.75% at year end, the lowest level since late 2022. During the current quarter, the U.S. Treasury yield curve inversion from the short- to medium-term substantially flattened, before rising steeply toward longer-term rates. In most countries with developed financial markets, benchmark interest rates also remained unchanged during the current quarter as inflationary pressures resurfaced and central banks adopted a cautious approach before adjusting monetary policy.
Lower U.S. benchmark rates reduce the interest we earn on our segregated cash, the majority of which is invested in short-term U.S. government securities and related instruments. A relatively flat near-term yield curve and uncertainty over future U.S. Federal Reserve rate policy have led us to maintain a short duration portfolio, all of which matured within three months at March 31, 2026, to more closely match our asset and liability maturities on our interest-sensitive assets. Further, our margin balances are tied to benchmark rates, so lower rates also limit the interest we earn on margin lending to our customers. We continue to offer among the lowest rates in the industry on margin lending, and we believe our low rates are an important feature that attracts customers to our platform.
As an offset, lower rates also reduce our interest expense. For example, in U.S. dollars we pay interest to customers on their qualified cash balances when the federal funds effective rate is above 0.50%, which it has been since May 2022. Any rate cuts are passed through to our customers, so we maintain a 0.50% spread. We believe the attractive rates we pay on customer cash are among the highest in the industry and are another important feature that draws customers to our platform.
Net interest income on margin lending rose compared to the prior-year quarter. This increase was due to the growth in margin loan balances in the current active market environment, despite the decline in the average federal funds effective rate to 3.64% in the current quarter from 4.33% in the prior-year quarter.
Higher average balances contributed to a 17% rise in net interest income over the prior-year quarter. Net interest margin declined from 2.10% in the prior-year quarter to 1.88% in the current quarter primarily due to lower interest rates.
Currency fluctuations. As a global broker trading on exchanges around the world in multiple currencies, we are exposed to foreign currency risk. We actively manage this exposure by keeping our equity in proportion to a defined basket of 10 currencies we call the ‘‘GLOBAL’’ to diversify our risk and to align our hedging strategy with the currencies that we use in our business. Because we report our financial results in U.S. dollars, the change in the value of the GLOBAL versus the U.S. dollar affects our earnings. During the current quarter, the value of the GLOBAL, as measured in U.S. dollars, decreased 0.30% compared to its value at December 31, 2025, which had a negative impact on our comprehensive earnings for the current year. A discussion of our approach for managing foreign currency exposure is contained in Part I, Item 3 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q entitled “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”
Financial Overview
We report non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude certain items that may not be indicative of our core operating results and business outlook and are useful in evaluating the operating performance of our business. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below in this Item 2 for additional details.
Diluted earnings per share were $0.59 for the current quarter, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.48 for the prior-year quarter. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.60 for the current quarter and $0.47 for the prior-year quarter. The calculation of diluted earnings per share is detailed in Note 4 – “Equity and Earnings per Share” to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Part 1, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
For the current quarter, our net revenues were $1,669 million and income before income taxes was $1,288 million, compared to net revenues of $1,427 million and income before income taxes of $1,055 million in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted net revenues were $1,680 million and adjusted income before income taxes was $1,299 million, compared to adjusted net revenues of $1,396 million and adjusted income before income taxes of $1,024 million in the prior-year quarter.
Financial highlights for the current quarter (compared to the prior-year quarter):
•Commission revenue increased 19% to $613 million on higher customer trading volumes. Customer trading volume in stocks, futures and options increased 25%, 20% and 16%, respectively.
•Net interest income increased 17% to $904 million on higher average customer margin loans and customer credit balances.
•Other fees and services increased 10% to $86 million, led by increases of $2 million in payments for order flow from exchange-mandated programs, $2 million in FDIC sweep fees and $2 million in market data fees, partially offset by a decrease of $3 million in risk exposure fees.
•Execution, clearing and distribution fees decreased 12% to $106 million, driven by lower regulatory fees, as the SEC Section 31 transaction fee rate was reduced to zero on May 14, 2025, and greater capture of liquidity rebates from certain exchanges due to higher trading volumes in stocks and options.
•Pretax profit margin was 77% for the current quarter compared to 74% in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted pretax profit margin for the current quarter was 77% compared to 73% in the prior-year quarter.
•Total equity as of March 31, 2026, was $21.3 billion.
In connection with our currency diversification strategy, as of March 31, 2026, approximately 25% of our equity was denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. In the current quarter, our currency diversification strategy decreased our comprehensive earnings by $53 million (compared to an increase of $127 million in the prior-year quarter), as the U.S. dollar value of the GLOBAL decreased by approximately 0.30% compared to its value as of December 31, 2025. The effects of our currency diversification strategy are reported as (1) a component of “Other income” (gain of $26 million) in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income and (2) other comprehensive income (“OCI”) (loss of $79 million) in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The full effect of the GLOBAL is captured in comprehensive income.
Certain Trends and Uncertainties
We believe that our current operations may be favorably or unfavorably impacted by the following trends and uncertainties that may affect our financial condition and results of operations:
•Retail participation in the equity markets has fluctuated in the past due to investor sentiment, market conditions and a variety of other factors. Retail transaction volumes may not be sustainable and are not predictable.
•Consolidation among market centers may adversely affect the value of our IB SmartRoutingSM software.
•Competition among broker-dealers may continue to intensify.
•Benchmark interest rates tend to fluctuate with economic conditions. Changes in interest rates may not be predictable.
•Fiscal and/or monetary policy may change and impact the financial services business and securities markets.
•New legislation or modifications to existing regulations and rules could occur in the future. Scrutiny in the use of artificial intelligence ("AI") and information security by regulatory and legislative authorities has increased.
•The impact of a pandemic or other public health emergency will depend on numerous evolving factors that cannot be accurately predicted, including the duration and spread of the pandemic, governmental regulations in response to the pandemic, and the effectiveness of vaccinations and other medical advancements.
•We continue to be exposed to the risks and uncertainties of doing business in international markets, particularly in the heavily regulated brokerage industry. Such risks and uncertainties include political, economic and financial instability, and foreign policy changes. For example, tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated in recent years, and changes in Chinese governmental oversight of the Chinese and Hong Kong capital markets could result in adverse effects on our business and loss of assets we hold in the region. Additionally, although our direct and indirect exposures to Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East are not material, the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East and related sanctions have created substantial uncertainty in the global economy and financial markets. Finally, government actions such as tariff policy changes may create uncertainty that affects volumes and volatility in the financial markets.
•Our remaining market making activities, while not material, will continue to be impacted by market structure changes, market conditions, the level of automation of competitors, and the relationship between actual and implied volatility in the equities markets.
See “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10‑K, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2026, and elsewhere in this report for a discussion of other risks that may affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Trading Volumes and Customer Statistics
The tables below present historical trading volumes and customer statistics for our business. Trading volumes are the primary driver in our business. Information on our net interest income can be found elsewhere in this report.
EXECUTED ORDER VOLUMES:
(in thousands, except %)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer |
|
% |
|
Principal |
|
% |
|
Total |
|
% |
Period |
|
Orders |
|
Change |
|
Orders |
|
Change |
|
Orders |
|
Change |
2023 |
|
483,015 |
|
|
|
29,712 |
|
|
|
512,727 |
|
|
2024 |
|
661,666 |
|
37% |
|
63,348 |
|
113% |
|
725,014 |
|
41% |
2025 |
|
915,616 |
|
38% |
|
121,972 |
|
93% |
|
1,037,588 |
|
43% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1Q2025 |
|
211,148 |
|
|
|
28,393 |
|
|
|
239,541 |
|
|
1Q2026 |
|
266,419 |
|
26% |
|
42,010 |
|
48% |
|
308,429 |
|
29% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4Q2025 |
|
254,690 |
|
|
|
34,548 |
|
|
|
289,238 |
|
|
1Q2026 |
|
266,419 |
|
5% |
|
42,010 |
|
22% |
|
308,429 |
|
7% |
CONTRACT AND SHARE VOLUMES:
(in thousands, except %)
TOTAL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options |
|
% |
|
Futures 1 |
|
% |
|
Stocks |
|
% |
Period |
|
(contracts) |
|
Change |
|
(contracts) |
|
Change |
|
(shares) |
|
Change |
2023 |
|
1,020,736 |
|
|
|
209,034 |
|
|
|
252,742,847 |
|
|
2024 |
|
1,344,855 |
|
32% |
|
218,327 |
|
4% |
|
307,489,711 |
|
22% |
2025 |
|
1,668,228 |
|
24% |
|
241,631 |
|
11% |
|
421,707,895 |
|
37% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1Q2025 |
|
383,998 |
|
|
|
61,869 |
|
|
|
93,934,241 |
|
|
1Q2026 |
|
440,997 |
|
15% |
|
74,257 |
|
20% |
|
116,935,449 |
|
24% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4Q2025 |
|
462,656 |
|
|
|
63,258 |
|
|
|
112,072,352 |
|
|
1Q2026 |
|
440,997 |
|
(5%) |
|
74,257 |
|
17% |
|
116,935,449 |
|
4% |
CUSTOMER
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options |
|
% |
|
Futures 1 |
|
% |
|
Stocks |
|
% |
Period |
|
(contracts) |
|
Change |
|
(contracts) |
|
Change |
|
(shares) |
|
Change |
2023 |
|
981,172 |
|
|
|
206,073 |
|
|
|
248,588,960 |
|
|
2024 |
|
1,290,770 |
|
32% |
|
214,864 |
|
4% |
|
302,040,873 |
|
22% |
2025 |
|
1,623,384 |
|
26% |
|
240,120 |
|
12% |
|
417,457,770 |
|
38% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1Q2025 |
|
369,931 |
|
|
|
61,381 |
|
|
|
92,763,867 |
|
|
1Q2026 |
|
428,653 |
|
16% |
|
73,705 |
|
20% |
|
115,790,614 |
|
25% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4Q2025 |
|
452,869 |
|
|
|
62,884 |
|
|
|
111,109,596 |
|
|
1Q2026 |
|
428,653 |
|
(5%) |
|
73,705 |
|
17% |
|
115,790,614 |
|
4% |
1.Futures contract volume includes options on futures.
PRINCIPAL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options |
|
% |
|
Futures 1 |
|
% |
|
Stocks |
|
% |
Period |
|
(contracts) |
|
Change |
|
(contracts) |
|
Change |
|
(shares) |
|
Change |
2023 |
|
39,564 |
|
|
|
2,961 |
|
|
|
4,153,887 |
|
|
2024 |
|
54,085 |
|
37% |
|
3,463 |
|
17% |
|
5,448,838 |
|
31% |
2025 |
|
44,844 |
|
(17%) |
|
1,511 |
|
(56%) |
|
4,250,125 |
|
(22%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1Q2025 |
|
14,067 |
|
|
|
488 |
|
|
|
1,170,374 |
|
|
1Q2026 |
|
12,344 |
|
(12%) |
|
552 |
|
13% |
|
1,144,835 |
|
(2%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4Q2025 |
|
9,787 |
|
|
|
374 |
|
|
|
962,756 |
|
|
1Q2026 |
|
12,344 |
|
26% |
|
552 |
|
48% |
|
1,144,835 |
|
19% |
1.Futures contract volume includes options on futures.
CUSTOMER STATISTICS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year over Year |
|
1Q2026 |
|
1Q2025 |
|
% Change |
Total Accounts (in thousands) |
|
|
4,754 |
|
|
3,616 |
|
31% |
Customer Equity (in billions) 1 |
|
$ |
789.4 |
|
$ |
573.5 |
|
38% |
Total Customer DARTs (in thousands) 2 |
|
|
4,368 |
|
|
3,519 |
|
24% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cleared Customers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commission per Cleared Commissionable Order 3 |
|
$ |
2.69 |
|
$ |
2.76 |
|
(3%) |
Cleared Avg. DARTs per Account (Annualized) |
|
|
205 |
|
|
220 |
|
(7%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consecutive Quarters |
|
1Q2026 |
|
4Q2025 |
|
% Change |
Total Accounts (in thousands) |
|
|
4,754 |
|
|
4,399 |
|
8% |
Customer Equity (in billions) 1 |
|
$ |
789.4 |
|
$ |
779.9 |
|
1% |
Total Customer DARTs (in thousands) 2 |
|
|
4,368 |
|
|
4,043 |
|
8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cleared Customers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commission per Cleared Commissionable Order 3 |
|
$ |
2.69 |
|
$ |
2.64 |
|
2% |
Cleared Avg. DARTs per Account (Annualized) |
|
|
205 |
|
|
203 |
|
1% |
1.Excludes non‑customers.
2.Daily average revenue trades (“DARTs”) are based on customer orders.
3.Commissionable order – a customer order that generates commissions.
Results of Operations
The table below presents our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated. The period‑to‑period comparisons below of financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions, except share and per share amounts) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions |
|
$ |
|
613 |
|
|
$ |
|
514 |
|
Other fees and services |
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
|
78 |
|
Other income |
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
|
65 |
|
Total non-interest income |
|
|
|
765 |
|
|
|
|
657 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
|
1,947 |
|
|
|
|
1,718 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
(1,043 |
) |
|
|
|
(948 |
) |
Total net interest income |
|
|
|
904 |
|
|
|
|
770 |
|
Total net revenues |
|
|
|
1,669 |
|
|
|
|
1,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-interest expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Execution, clearing and distribution fees |
|
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
|
121 |
|
Employee compensation and benefits |
|
|
|
167 |
|
|
|
|
154 |
|
Occupancy, depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
24 |
|
Communications |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
62 |
|
Customer bad debt |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Total non-interest expenses |
|
|
|
381 |
|
|
|
|
372 |
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
|
1,288 |
|
|
|
|
1,055 |
|
Income tax expense |
|
|
|
117 |
|
|
|
|
91 |
|
Net income |
|
|
|
1,171 |
|
|
|
|
964 |
|
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
|
904 |
|
|
|
|
751 |
|
Net income available for common stockholders |
|
$ |
|
267 |
|
|
$ |
|
213 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
|
0.60 |
|
|
$ |
|
0.49 |
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
|
0.59 |
|
|
$ |
|
0.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
|
445,448,291 |
|
|
|
|
435,693,524 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
|
448,369,291 |
|
|
|
|
439,462,964 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income available for common stockholders |
|
$ |
|
267 |
|
|
$ |
|
213 |
|
Other comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative translation adjustment, before income taxes |
|
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
|
28 |
|
Income taxes related to items of other comprehensive income |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
|
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
|
28 |
|
Comprehensive income available for common stockholders |
|
$ |
|
246 |
|
|
$ |
|
241 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
$ |
|
904 |
|
|
$ |
|
751 |
|
Other comprehensive income - cumulative translation adjustment |
|
|
|
(58 |
) |
|
|
|
79 |
|
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
$ |
|
846 |
|
|
$ |
|
830 |
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 (“current quarter”) compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 (“prior-year quarter”)
Net Revenues
Total net revenues, for the current quarter, increased $242 million, or 17%, compared to the prior-year quarter, to $1,669 million. The increase in net revenues was due to higher net interest income, commissions, other fees and services, and other income.
Commissions
We earn commissions from our cleared customers for whom we act as an executing and clearing broker and from our non‑cleared customers for whom we act as an execution‑only broker. Our commission structure allows customers to choose between (1) an all‑inclusive fixed, or “bundled”, rate; (2) a tiered, or “unbundled”, rate that offers lower commissions for high volume customers where we pass through regulatory and exchange fees; and (3) our IBKR LiteSM offering, which provides commission-free trades on U.S. exchange-listed stocks and ETFs. IBKR LiteSM trades generate payments from market makers and others to whom we route these orders, which are reported in commissions. Our commissions are geographically diversified around the world, though a substantial majority are generated on products traded in the U.S.
Commissions, for the current quarter, increased $99 million, or 19%, compared to the prior-year quarter, to $613 million, driven by higher customer trading volumes in stocks, futures and options. Total customer stock share and futures and options contract volumes increased 25%, 20% and 16%, respectively. Total DARTs for the current quarter increased 24% to 4.4 million, compared to 3.5 million for the prior-year quarter. Average commission per commissionable order for cleared customers decreased 3% to $2.69 for the current quarter compared to $2.76 for the prior-year quarter, primarily due to smaller order sizes in stocks; greater capture of liquidity rebates; and a reduction in the SEC transaction fee rate to zero in the second quarter of 2025. As pass-throughs, the liquidity rebates and SEC fees affect both our commission revenues and our execution costs.
Other Fees and Services
We earn fee income on services provided to customers, which includes market data fees, risk exposure fees, payments for order flow from exchange-mandated programs, FDIC sweep fees, and other fees and services charged to customers.
Other fees and services, for the current quarter, increased $8 million, or 10%, compared to the prior-year quarter, to $86 million, driven by a $2 million increase in FDIC sweep fees on higher customer balances, a $2 million increase in market data fees due to our growing customer base, and a $2 million increase in payments for order flow from exchange-mandated programs driven by higher customer trading volume; partially offset by a $3 million decrease in risk exposure fees as customers exhibited more cautious risk-taking behavior.
Other Income
Other income consists of foreign exchange gains (losses) from our currency diversification strategy, gains (losses) from principal transactions, gains (losses) from our equity method and other investments, and other revenue not directly attributable to our core business offerings. A discussion of our approach to managing foreign currency exposure is contained in Part I, Item 3 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q entitled “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”
Other income, for the current quarter, increased $1 million, or 2% compared to the prior-year quarter, to $66 million. This increase was mainly due to $23 million related to our investing and trading activities and $6 million related to our currency diversification strategy, partially offset by $27 million related to our strategic investment in Up Fintech Holding Limited (“Tiger Brokers”), which lost $16 million in the current quarter compared to a gain of $11 million in the prior-year quarter.
Interest Income and Interest Expense
We earn interest on margin lending to customers that is secured by marketable securities and currency balances these customers hold with us; from our investments in U.S. and foreign government securities; from borrowing and lending securities; on deposits (in positive interest rate currencies) with banks; and on certain customers’ cash balances in negative rate currencies. We pay interest on customer cash balances (in sufficiently positive interest rate currencies); for borrowing and lending securities; on deposits (in negative interest rate currencies) with banks; and on our borrowings.
Net interest income (interest income less interest expense), for the current quarter, increased $134 million, or 17%, compared to the prior-year quarter, to $904 million. The increase in net interest income was driven by higher average customer margin loans and customer credit balances, partially offset by lower benchmark interest rates.
Net interest income on customer balances, for the current quarter, increased $103 million compared to the prior-year quarter, driven by increases of $39.3 billion, $24.8 billion and $17.0 billion in average customer credit balances, margin loans, and segregated cash and securities, respectively. Yields on all three components decreased as rates have declined worldwide. See the “Business Environment” section above in this Item 2 for a further discussion about the change in interest rates in the current quarter.
The Company measures return on interest-earning assets using net interest margin (“NIM”). NIM is computed by dividing the annualized net interest income by the average interest-earning assets for the period. Interest-earning assets consist of cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes (including U.S. government securities and securities purchased under agreements to resell), customer margin loans, securities borrowed, other interest-earning assets (solely firm assets) and customer cash balances swept into FDIC-insured banks as part of our Insured Bank Deposit Sweep Program. Interest-bearing liabilities consist of customer credit balances, securities loaned, and other interest-bearing liabilities.
Yields are generally a reflection of benchmark interest rates in each currency in which the Company and its customers hold cash balances. Because a meaningful portion of customer cash and margin loans are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in U.S. benchmark interest rates do not impact the total amount of segregated cash and securities, customer margin loans and customer credit balances. Furthermore, because interest, when benchmark rates are at sufficiently high levels, is paid only on eligible cash credit balances (i.e., balances over $10 thousand or equivalent, in securities accounts with over $100 thousand in equity, and in smaller accounts at reduced rates), changes in benchmark interest rates are not passed through to the total amount of customer credit balances. Finally, the Company’s policies with respect to currencies with near zero or negative interest rates impact the overall yields on segregated cash and customer credit balances as effective interest rates in those currencies move above or below zero.
We earn income on securities loaned and borrowed to support customer long and short stock holdings in margin accounts.
A securities lending transaction generates (1) net interest earned on lending a security, which is based on supply and demand for that security, and (2) interest earned on the cash collateral deposited for the loan of that security, which is based on benchmark interest rates. Interest on this collateral is reported as net interest on segregated cash, since cash collateral from securities lending is held in specially-designated bank accounts for the benefit of customers, in accordance with U.S. customer protection rules. Generally, as benchmark interest rates rise, while the overall revenue generated from a securities lending transaction may not change, the portion derived from interest earned on the cash collateral, which is classified as net interest income on “Segregated cash and securities, net” increases, while the portion classified as “Securities borrowed and loaned, net” decreases.
In the current quarter, average securities borrowed balances increased 84%, to $8.9 billion, and average securities loaned balances increased 58%, to $25.6 billion, compared to the prior-year quarter. Net interest earned from securities lending is affected by the level of demand for securities positions held by our customers that investors are looking to sell short. During the current quarter, net interest earned from securities lending transactions increased $23 million, or 230%, compared to the prior-year quarter, driven by (1) our growing account base, which increases our inventory of attractive stocks to lend, including international securities; (2) the interest we pay on short cash balances, which makes us attractive to investors who utilize short selling; (3) our fully-paid lending program shares proceeds with clients generally on a 50/50 basis, which appeals to investors looking to maximize the return on their portfolios; and (4) more activity in some of the typical drivers of securities lending, including IPOs and merger & acquisition activity. However, as noted above, the rise in benchmark interest rates from near zero in 2022 has shifted a portion of the interest reported as generated by lending securities to interest income on segregated cash (see further explanation above). It should be noted that securities lending transactions entered into to support customer activity may produce interest income (expense) that is offset by interest expense (income) related to customer balances.
We estimate that if the interest earned and paid on cash collateral related to our securities lending transactions were included under “Securities borrowed and loaned, net” in the table below, the total net interest income related to our securities lending activities would have been $269 million in the current quarter, compared to $186 million in the prior-year quarter. Such additional interest attributed to our securities lending activities would be reclassified from net interest income on “Segregated cash and securities, net” and “Customer credit balances, net” in the table below, so it would have no effect on our overall net interest income or net interest margin.
Our Stock Yield Enhancement Program provides an opportunity for customers with fully-paid stock to allow us to lend it out. We pay customers a rebate on the cash collateral generally equal to 50% of a market-based rate for lending the shares. We place cash and/or U.S. Treasury securities as collateral securing the loans in the customer’s account, which is held in segregated accounts or at an affiliate acting as collateral agent for the benefit of our customer.
The table below presents net interest income information corresponding to interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|
|
(in millions) |
Average interest-earning assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segregated cash and securities |
|
$ |
84,052 |
|
$ |
67,044 |
Customer margin loans |
|
|
89,206 |
|
|
64,363 |
Securities borrowed |
|
|
8,943 |
|
|
4,871 |
Other interest-earning assets |
|
|
17,036 |
|
|
12,456 |
FDIC sweeps 1,3 |
|
|
6,298 |
|
|
4,785 |
|
|
$ |
205,535 |
|
$ |
153,519 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average interest-bearing liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer credit balances |
|
$ |
157,352 |
|
$ |
118,022 |
Securities loaned |
|
|
25,568 |
|
|
16,137 |
Other interest-bearing liabilities |
|
|
194 |
|
|
66 |
|
|
$ |
183,114 |
|
$ |
134,225 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segregated cash and securities, net |
|
$ |
683 |
|
$ |
663 |
Customer margin loans 2 |
|
|
905 |
|
|
775 |
Securities borrowed and loaned, net |
|
|
33 |
|
|
10 |
Customer credit balances, net 2 |
|
|
(864) |
|
|
(817) |
Other net interest income 1,3 |
|
|
196 |
|
|
163 |
Net interest income 3 |
|
$ |
953 |
|
$ |
794 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest margin ("NIM") |
|
|
1.88% |
|
|
2.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annualized Yields |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segregated cash and securities |
|
|
3.30% |
|
|
4.01% |
Customer margin loans |
|
|
4.11% |
|
|
4.88% |
Customer credit balances |
|
|
2.23% |
|
|
2.81% |
1.Represents the average amount of customer cash swept into FDIC-insured banks as part of our Insured Bank Deposit Sweep Program. This item is not recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Income derived from program deposits is reported in other net interest income in the table above.
2.Interest income and interest expense on customer margin loans and customer credit balances, respectively, are calculated on daily cash balances within each customer’s account on a net basis, which may result in an offset of balances across multiple account segments (e.g., between securities and commodities segments).
3.Includes income from financial instruments that has the same characteristics as interest, but is reported in other fees and services and other income in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, $11 million and $8 million were reported in other fees and services, respectively; and $38 million and $16 million were reported in other income, respectively.
Non‑Interest Expenses
Non-interest expenses, for the current quarter, increased $9 million, or 2%, compared to the prior-year quarter, to $381 million, mainly due to a $13 million increase in employee compensation and benefits, a $6 million increase in general and administrative expenses, and a $3 million increase in occupancy, depreciation and amortization expenses; partially offset by a $15 million decrease in execution, clearing and distribution fees. As a percentage of total net revenues, non-interest expenses were 23% for the current quarter and 26% for the prior-year quarter.
Execution, Clearing and Distribution Fees
Execution, clearing and distribution fees include the costs of executing and clearing trades, net of liquidity rebates received from various exchanges and market centers, as well as regulatory fees and market data fees. Execution fees are paid primarily to electronic exchanges and market centers on which we trade. Clearing fees are paid to clearing houses and clearing agents. Market data fees, which are associated with market data revenue included in other fees and services, are paid to third parties to receive streaming price quotes and related information.
Execution, clearing and distribution fees, for the current quarter, decreased $15 million, or 12%, compared to the prior-year quarter, to $106 million, mainly driven by a $24 million decrease in regulatory fees as the SEC Section 31 transaction fee rate was reduced to zero on May 14, 2025, and by greater capture of liquidity rebates from certain exchanges on higher customer trading volumes in stocks and options. SEC fees, as with other regulatory fees, are passed through to customers. As a percentage of total net revenues, execution, clearing and distribution fees were 6% for the current quarter and 8% for the prior-year quarter.
Employee Compensation and Benefits
Employee compensation and benefits include salaries, bonuses and other incentive compensation plans, group insurance, contributions to benefit programs and other related employee costs.
Employee compensation and benefits expenses, for the current quarter, increased $13 million, or 8%, compared to the prior-year quarter, to $167 million, associated with a combination of staffing increases and inflation. The average number of employees increased 6% to 3,207 for the current quarter, compared to 3,013 for the prior-year quarter. As we continue to grow, our focus on automation has allowed us to increase our staff at a relatively modest pace. As a percentage of total net revenues, employee compensation and benefits expenses were 10% for the current quarter and 11% for the prior-year quarter.
Occupancy, Depreciation and Amortization
Occupancy expenses consist primarily of rental payments on office and data center leases and related occupancy costs, such as utilities. Depreciation and amortization expenses result from the depreciation of fixed assets, such as computing and communications hardware, as well as amortization of leasehold improvements and capitalized in‑house software development.
Occupancy, depreciation and amortization expenses, for the current quarter, increased $3 million, or 13%, compared to the prior-year quarter, to $27 million, mainly due to higher rent expense for new offices. As a percentage of total net revenues, occupancy, depreciation and amortization expenses were 2% for both the current quarter and the prior-year quarter.
Communications
Communications expenses consist primarily of the cost of voice and data telecommunications lines supporting our business, including connectivity to exchanges and market centers around the world.
Communications expenses, for the current quarter, increased $2 million, or 20%, compared to the prior-year quarter, to $12 million. As a percentage of total net revenues, communications expenses were 1% for both the current quarter and the prior-year quarter.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of advertising; professional services expenses, such as legal and audit work; legal and regulatory matters; and other operating expenses.
General and administrative expenses, for the current quarter, increased $6 million, or 10%, compared to the prior-year quarter, to $68 million, driven primarily by a $7 million increase in advertising expenses. As a percentage of total net revenues, general and administrative expenses were 4% for both the current quarter and the prior-year quarter.
Customer Bad Debt
Customer bad debt expense consists primarily of losses incurred by customers in excess of their assets with us, net of amounts recovered by us.
Customer bad debt expense, for the current quarter, was unchanged from the prior-year quarter, at $1 million.
Income Tax Expense
We pay U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on our taxable income, which is proportional to the percentage we own of IBG LLC. Also, our operating subsidiaries are subject to income tax in the respective jurisdictions in which they operate.
Income tax expense, for the current quarter, increased $26 million, or 29%, compared to the prior-year quarter, to $117 million, primarily due to (1) higher income before taxes at our operating subsidiaries outside the U.S.; (2) higher income before income taxes subject to U.S. income tax at IBG, Inc.; and (3) IBG, Inc.’s higher average ownership percentage of IBG LLC, which rose from 25.8% in the prior-year quarter to 26.3% in the current quarter.
The table below presents information about our income tax expense for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
2026 |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
(in millions, except %) |
|
Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated income before income taxes |
$ |
|
1,288 |
|
|
$ |
|
1,055 |
|
Exclude IBG, Inc. stand-alone (income) loss before income taxes |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
— |
|
Add-back IBG LLC net gain (loss) on IBKR shares eliminated in consolidation 1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
Operating subsidiaries income before income taxes |
$ |
|
1,288 |
|
|
$ |
|
1,055 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating subsidiaries |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
$ |
|
1,288 |
|
|
$ |
|
1,055 |
|
Income tax expense |
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
|
44 |
|
Net income available to members |
$ |
|
1,227 |
|
|
$ |
|
1,011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IBG, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average ownership percentage in IBG LLC |
|
|
26.3 |
% |
|
|
|
25.8 |
% |
Net income available to IBG, Inc. from operating subsidiaries |
$ |
|
322 |
|
|
$ |
|
260 |
|
IBG, Inc. stand-alone income (loss) before income taxes |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
323 |
|
|
|
|
260 |
|
Income tax expense |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
|
47 |
|
Net income available to common stockholders |
$ |
|
267 |
|
|
$ |
|
213 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated income tax expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense attributable to operating subsidiaries |
$ |
|
61 |
|
|
$ |
|
44 |
|
Income tax expense attributable to IBG, Inc. |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
|
47 |
|
Consolidated income tax expense |
$ |
|
117 |
|
|
$ |
|
91 |
|
1.Represents the net gains or losses from the Company’s common stock (IBKR shares) held in treasury for distribution to eligible customers participating in one or more promotions.
Operating Results
Income before income taxes, for the current quarter, increased $233 million, or 22%, compared to the prior-year quarter, to $1,288 million. Pretax profit margin was 77% for the current quarter and 74% for the prior-year quarter.
Comparing our operating results for the current quarter to the prior-year quarter using non-GAAP financial measures, adjusted net revenues were $1,680 million, up 20%; adjusted income before income taxes was $1,299 million, up 27%; and adjusted pre-tax profit margin was 77% for the current quarter compared to 73% for the prior-year quarter. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below in this Item 2 for additional details.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We use certain non-GAAP financial measures as additional measures to enhance the understanding of our financial results. These non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted net revenues, adjusted income before income taxes, adjusted net income available for common stockholders and adjusted diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are important measures of our financial performance because they exclude certain items that may not be indicative of our core operating results and business outlook. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors and analysts in evaluating the operating performance of the business.
•We define adjusted net revenues as net revenues adjusted to remove the effect of our currency diversification strategy and our net mark-to-market gains (losses) on investments.
•We define adjusted income before income taxes as income before income taxes adjusted to remove the effect of our currency diversification strategy and our net mark-to-market gains (losses) on investments.
•We define adjusted net income available to common stockholders as net income available for common stockholders adjusted to remove the after-tax effects attributable to IBG, Inc. of our currency diversification strategy and our net mark-to-market gains (losses) on investments.
•We define adjusted diluted EPS as adjusted net income available for common stockholders divided by the diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period.
Mark-to-market on investments represents the net mark-to-market gains (losses) on investments in equity securities that do not qualify for equity method accounting, which are measured at fair value; on our U.S. government and municipal securities portfolios, which are typically held to maturity; and on certain other investments. In the event an investment is sold prior to maturity, accumulated gains (losses) are realized and previously accumulated non-GAAP adjustments are reversed in the period of sale.
We also report compensation and benefits expenses as a percentage of adjusted net revenues, as we believe this measure is useful to investors and analysts in evaluating the growth of our workforce in relation to the growth of our core revenues.
These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP 1.
1.Refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
The tables below present a reconciliation of consolidated GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
2025 |
|
Adjusted net revenues (in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues - GAAP |
|
$ |
|
1,669 |
|
|
$ |
|
1,427 |
|
Non-GAAP adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currency diversification strategy, net |
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
|
(20 |
) |
Mark-to-market on investments |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
Total non-GAAP adjustments |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
Adjusted net revenues |
|
$ |
|
1,680 |
|
|
$ |
|
1,396 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted income before income taxes (in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes - GAAP |
|
$ |
|
1,288 |
|
|
$ |
|
1,055 |
|
Non-GAAP adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currency diversification strategy, net |
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
|
(20 |
) |
Mark-to-market on investments |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
Total non-GAAP adjustments |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
Adjusted income before income taxes |
|
$ |
|
1,299 |
|
|
$ |
|
1,024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted pre-tax profit margin |
|
|
|
77 |
% |
|
|
|
73 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted net income available for common stockholders (in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income available for common stockholders - GAAP |
|
$ |
|
267 |
|
|
$ |
|
213 |
|
Non-GAAP adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currency diversification strategy, net |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
Mark-to-market on investments |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
Income tax effect of above adjustments 1 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Total non-GAAP adjustments 2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
Adjusted net income available for common stockholders 2 |
|
$ |
|
269 |
|
|
$ |
|
207 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted diluted EPS (in dollars, except share amounts) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted EPS - GAAP |
|
$ |
|
0.59 |
|
|
$ |
|
0.48 |
|
Non-GAAP adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currency diversification strategy, net |
|
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
Mark-to-market on investments |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
Income tax effect of above adjustments 1 |
|
|
|
(0.00 |
) |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
Total non-GAAP adjustments 2 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
Adjusted diluted EPS 2 |
|
$ |
|
0.60 |
|
|
$ |
|
0.47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding |
|
|
|
448,369,291 |
|
|
|
|
439,462,964 |
|
1.The income tax effect is estimated using the statutory income tax rates applicable to the Company.
2.Amounts may not add due to rounding.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We maintain a highly liquid balance sheet. The majority of our assets consists of investments of customer funds, collateralized receivables arising from customer‑related and proprietary securities transactions, and exchange‑listed marketable securities, which are marked‑to‑market daily. Collateralized receivables consist primarily of customer margin loans, securities borrowed, and securities purchased under agreements to resell. As of March 31, 2026, total assets were $218.7 billion of which $216.5 billion, or 99.0%, were considered liquid.
Decisions on the allocation of capital are based upon, among other things, prudent risk management guidelines, potential liquidity and cash flow needs for current and future business activities, regulatory capital requirements, and projected profitability. Our Treasury department, Market Risk Committee, Enterprise Risk Management department and other management control groups assist in evaluating, monitoring and controlling the impact that our business activities have on our financial condition, liquidity and capital structure. The objective of these policies is to support our business strategies while ensuring ongoing and sufficient liquidity. Our significant capital comprises an aggregate across our many regulated subsidiaries, and in addition to supporting our current business and future expansion plans, we believe this financial strength provides our customers with a source of confidence.
Daily monitoring of liquidity needs and available collateral levels is undertaken to help ensure that an appropriate liquidity cushion, in the form of cash and unpledged collateral, is maintained at all times. We actively manage our excess liquidity and maintain significant borrowing capabilities through the securities lending markets and in the form of credit facilities with banks. As a general practice, we maintain sufficient levels of cash on hand to provide us with a buffer should we need immediately available funds for any reason. In addition, pursuant to our liquidity risk management plan we perform periodic liquidity stress tests, which are designed to identify and reserve liquid assets that would be available under market or idiosyncratic stress events. Based on our current level of operations, we believe our cash flows from operations, available cash and available borrowings will be adequate to meet our future liquidity needs for more than the next twelve months.
As of March 31, 2026, liability balances in connection with securities loaned and payables to customers were higher than their average monthly balances during the current quarter, and the short-term borrowings balance was lower than its average monthly balance during the current quarter.
Cash and cash equivalents held by our non‑U.S. operating subsidiaries as of March 31, 2026, were $2,242 million ($2,019 million as of December 31, 2025). These funds are primarily intended to finance each individual operating subsidiary’s local operations, and thus would not be available to fund U.S. domestic operations unless repatriated through payment of dividends to IBG LLC. As of March 31, 2026, we had no intention to repatriate any amounts from non-U.S. operating subsidiaries. With the enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017, we recognized a liability for the one-time transition tax on deemed repatriation of earnings of some of our foreign subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2017, which was paid over eight years ending in 2025. As a result, in the event dividends were to be paid to the Company in the future by a non‑U.S. operating subsidiaries, the Company would not be required to accrue and pay income taxes on such dividends, except for foreign taxes in the form of dividend withholding tax, and in connection with accumulated other comprehensive income/loss from currency exchange rate changes not previously taxed in the U.S., if any, imposed on the recipient of the distribution or dividend distribution tax imposed on the payor of the distribution.
Historically, our consolidated equity has consisted primarily of accumulated retained earnings, which to date have been sufficient to fund our operations and growth. Our consolidated equity increased 22% to $21.3 billion as of March 31, 2026, from $17.5 billion as of March 31, 2025. This increase is attributable to total comprehensive income, partially offset by distributions and dividends paid during the last four quarters.
Cash Flows
The table below presents our cash flows from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
|
3,611 |
|
|
$ |
|
2,584 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
|
|
(316 |
) |
|
|
|
(225 |
) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
|
|
|
(79 |
) |
|
|
|
107 |
|
Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
|
$ |
|
3,204 |
|
|
$ |
|
2,440 |
|
Our cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (i.e., cash and cash equivalents that are subject to withdrawal or usage restrictions) increased by $3,204 million to $58.5 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2026.
Operating Activities
Our cash flows from operating activities are largely a reflection of the changes in customer credit and margin loan balances. We raised $3.6 billion in net cash from operating activities mainly driven by customer credit balances and securities loaned which increased $8.6 billion and $7.3 billion, respectively, and receivables from customers which decreased $3.9 billion; partially offset by securities segregated for regulatory purposes, which increased $15.4 billion.
Investing Activities
Our cash flows from investing activities are primarily related to other investments, capitalized internal software development, purchases and sales of memberships, trading rights and shares at exchanges where we trade, and strategic investments where such investments may enable us to offer better execution alternatives to our current and prospective customers, allow us to influence exchanges to provide competing products at better prices using sophisticated technology, or enable us to acquire either technology or customers faster than we could develop them on our own. We used net cash of $12 million in our investing activities primarily for purchases of property, equipment, and intangible assets, partially offset by distributions received and proceeds from sales of other investments.
Financing Activities
Our cash flows from financing activities are comprised of short-term borrowings, capital transactions, and payments made to Holdings under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Short-term borrowings from banks are part of our daily cash management in support of operating activities. Capital transactions consist primarily of quarterly dividends paid to common stockholders and related distributions paid to Holdings. We used net cash of $316 million in our financing activities, primarily for distributions to noncontrolling interests and dividends paid to common stockholders.
Three months Ended March 31, 2025: For a discussion of changes in cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2025 refer to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 8, 2025.
Regulatory Capital Requirements
As of March 31, 2026, all operating subsidiaries were in compliance with their respective regulatory capital requirements. For additional information regarding our regulatory capital requirements see Note 15 – ‘‘Regulatory Requirements’’ to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Capital Expenditures
We expect capital expenditures to remain primarily focused on technology infrastructure, system capacity, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements. Our capital expenditures are comprised of compensation costs of our software engineering staff for development of software for internal use and expenditures for computer, networking and communications hardware, and leasehold improvements. These expenditure items are reported as property, equipment, and intangible assets. Capital expenditures for property, equipment, and intangible assets were $26 million and $16 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. In the future, we plan to meet capital expenditure needs with cash from operations and cash on hand, as we continue our focus on technology infrastructure initiatives to further enhance our competitive position. In response to changing economic conditions, we believe we have the flexibility to modify our capital expenditures by adjusting them (either upward or downward) to match our actual performance. If we pursue any additional strategic acquisitions, we may incur additional capital expenditures.
Seasonality
Our businesses are subject to seasonal fluctuations, reflecting varying numbers of market participants at times during the year, varying numbers of trading days from quarter-to-quarter, and declines in trading activity due to holidays. Typical seasonal trends may be superseded by market or world events, which can have a significant impact on prices and trading volume.
Inflation
Although we cannot accurately anticipate the effects of inflation on our operations, we believe that, for the past several years, inflation may have indirectly had a material impact on our results of operations. Inflation has been one of the factors driving our employee compensation and benefits expenses higher during the current period, although as a percentage of net revenues these expenses remain stable. Inflation may also be a contributing factor to general uncertainty in the markets in the foreseeable future. Statements about future inflation are subject to the risk that actual inflation and its effects may differ, possibly materially, due to, among other things, changes in economic growth, impact of supply chain disruptions, unemployment and consumer demand.
Investments in U.S. Government Securities
We invest in U.S. government securities to satisfy U.S. regulatory requirements. As a broker-dealer, unlike banks, we are required to mark these investments to market even though we intend to hold them to maturity. Sudden increases (decreases) in interest rates will cause mark-to-market losses (gains) on these securities, which are recovered (eliminated) if we hold them to maturity, as currently intended. As of March 31, 2026, all of our U.S. government securities had maturities within three months. The impact of changes in interest rates is further described in Part I, Item 3 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q entitled “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”
Strategic Investments and Acquisitions
We regularly evaluate potential strategic investments and acquisitions. We hold strategic investments in certain electronic trading exchanges, including BOX Options Exchange, LLC and Miami International Holdings Inc. We also hold strategic investments in certain businesses, including Zero Hash Holdings Ltd. (a crypto-service provider) and Next Securities Corporation (a South Korea-based securities company).
We intend to continue making acquisitions on an opportunistic basis, generally only when the acquisition candidate will, in our opinion, enable us to offer better execution alternatives to our current and prospective customers, allow us to influence exchanges to provide competing products at better prices using sophisticated technology, or enable us to acquire either technology or customers faster than we could develop them on our own.
As of March 31, 2026, there were no definitive agreements with respect to any material acquisition.
Certain Information Concerning Off‑Balance‑Sheet Arrangements
We may be exposed to a risk of loss not reflected in our condensed consolidated financial statements for futures products, which represent our obligations to settle at contracted prices, and which may require us to repurchase or sell in the market at prevailing prices. Accordingly, these transactions result in off‑balance sheet risk, as our cost to liquidate such futures contracts may exceed the amounts reported in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions are based on judgment and the best available information at the time. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from those estimates. We believe that the critical policies listed below represent the most significant estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. See Note 2 – “Significant Accounting Policies” to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a summary of our significant accounting policies in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Contingencies
Our policy is to estimate and accrue for potential losses that may arise out of litigation and regulatory proceedings, to the extent that such losses are probable and can be estimated. Significant judgment is required in making these estimates and our final liabilities may ultimately be materially different. Our total liability accrued with respect to litigation and regulatory proceedings is determined on a case by case basis and represents an estimate of probable losses based on, among other factors, the progress of each case, our experience with and industry experience with similar cases and the opinions and views of internal and external legal counsel. Given the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of litigation and regulatory matters, particularly in cases or proceedings in which substantial or indeterminate damages or fines are sought, or where cases or proceedings are in the early stages, we cannot estimate losses or ranges of losses for cases or proceedings where there is only a reasonable possibility that a loss may be incurred.
Income Taxes
Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits are based on enacted tax laws and reflect management’s best assessment of estimated future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in both the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Determining income tax expense requires significant judgment and estimates.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of the underlying assets and liabilities. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdictions from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations.
In projecting future taxable income, historical results are adjusted for changes in accounting policies and incorporate assumptions including the amount of future state, federal and foreign pre-tax operating income, the reversal of temporary differences, and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax‑planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, three years of cumulative operating income (loss) are considered. Deferred income taxes have not been provided for U.S. tax liabilities or for additional foreign taxes on the unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries that have been indefinitely reinvested.
The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our global operations. Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. For example, a number of jurisdictions, including the European Union countries, have enacted legislation to implement the Pillar Two framework established by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which generally imposes a minimum effective tax rate of 15% in each such jurisdiction. We record tax liabilities in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 740 and adjust these liabilities when management’s judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information not previously available. Because of the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in payments that are different from the current estimates of these tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which new information becomes available.
We recognize that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized only when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits. A tax position that meets this standard is measured at the largest amount of benefit that will more likely than not be realized on settlement.
Accounting Pronouncements Issued but Not Yet Adopted
For additional information regarding FASB Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU” s) that have been issued but not yet adopted and that may impact the Company, refer to Note 2 – “Significant Accounting Policies” to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on form 10-Q.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to various market risks. Our exposures to market risks arise from assumptions built into our pricing models, equity price risk, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations related to our international operations, changes in interest rates and risks relating to the extension of margin credit to our customers.
Market risk refers to the risk that a change in the level of one or more market prices, rates, indices, implied volatilities (the price volatility of the underlying instrument imputed from option prices), correlations or other market factors, such as market liquidity, will result in losses for a position or portfolio. Generally, we incur trading‑related market risk as a result of our remaining market making activities, where the substantial majority of our Value‑at‑Risk (“VaR”) for market risk exposures is generated. In addition, we incur non‑trading‑related market risk primarily from investment activities and from foreign currency exposure held in the equity of our foreign subsidiaries, i.e., our non‑U.S. brokerage subsidiaries and information technology subsidiaries, and held to meet target balances in our currency diversification strategy.
We use various risk management tools in managing our market risk, which are embedded in our real‑time market making systems. We employ certain hedging and risk management techniques to protect us from a severe market dislocation. Our risk management policies are developed and implemented by our Steering Committee, which is chaired by our Chief Executive Officer and comprised of senior executives of our various operating subsidiaries. The strategy of our remaining market making activities is to calculate quotes a few seconds ahead of the market and execute small trades at a tiny but favorable differential as a result. This strategy is made possible by our proprietary pricing model, which evaluates and monitors the risks inherent in our portfolio, assimilates external market data and reevaluates the outstanding quotes in our portfolio many times per second. Our model automatically rebalances our positions throughout each trading day to manage risk exposures on our options and futures positions and the underlying securities and will price the increased risk that a position would add to the overall portfolio into the bid and offer prices we post. Under risk management policies implemented and monitored primarily through our computer systems, reports to management, including risk profiles, profit and loss analysis and trading performance, are prepared on a real‑time basis as well as daily and periodical bases. Although our remaining market making activities are completely automated, the trading process and our risk are monitored by a team of individuals who, in real time, observe various risk parameters of our consolidated positions. Our assets and liabilities are marked‑to‑market daily for financial reporting purposes and re‑valued continuously throughout the trading day for risk management and asset/liability management purposes.
We use a covariant VaR methodology to measure, monitor and review the market risk of our market making portfolios, with the exception of fixed income products, and our currency exposures. The risk of fixed income products, which comprise primarily U.S. government securities, is measured using a stress test.
Pricing Model Exposure
As described above, our proprietary pricing model, which continuously evaluates and monitors the risks inherent in our portfolio, assimilates external market data and reevaluates the outstanding quotes in our entire portfolio many times per second. Certain aspects of the model rely on historical prices of securities. If the behavior of price movements of individual securities diverges substantially from what their historical behavior would predict, we might incur trading losses. We attempt to limit such risks by diversifying our portfolio across many different options, futures and underlying securities and avoiding concentrations of positions based on the same underlying security. Historically, our losses from these events have been immaterial in comparison to our annual trading profits.
Foreign Currency Exposure
As a result of our international activities and accumulated earnings in our non-U.S. subsidiaries, our income and equity are exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. For example, our non-U.S. subsidiaries are exposed to foreign exchange risks as described below:
•Some of our non-U.S. subsidiaries support customer transactions in financial instruments, carry bank balances, and borrow and lend securities in various currencies in their regular course of business. At the end of each accounting period, these non-U.S. subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities are revalued into their respective functional currencies for presentation in their financial statements. The resulting foreign currency gains or losses are reported in their income statements and, as translated into U.S. dollars for U.S. GAAP purposes, in our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income, as a component of “Other income.”
•These non-U.S. subsidiaries’ financial statements are presented in their respective functional currencies, as noted above. For U.S. GAAP purposes, at the end of each accounting period, each non-U.S. subsidiary’s equity is translated at the then prevailing exchange rate into U.S. dollars and the resulting translation gain or loss is reported as OCI in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
By periodically converting currency balances into functional currency, we substantially reduce the foreign currency exposures for each of these non-U.S. subsidiaries, which minimizes the impact of exchange rate changes to its income statement. However, historically, we have taken the approach of not hedging our consolidated foreign currency exposures to the U.S. dollar, based on the notion that the cost of constantly hedging over the years would amount to more than the random impact of rate changes on our non‑U.S. dollar balances.
Instead, because we conduct business in many countries and many currencies and because we consider ourselves a global enterprise based in a diversified basket of currencies rather than a U.S. dollar-based company, we actively manage our global currency exposure by maintaining our equity in GLOBALs, a basket of currencies. Our risk management systems incorporate cash forex to hedge our currency exposure at little or no cost. Currency spot positions entered into as part of our currency diversification strategy are held by the parent holding company, IBG LLC.
The U.S. dollar value of the GLOBAL increased 0.99% as of March 31, 2026 compared to March 31, 2025. As of March 31, 2026, approximately 25% of our equity was denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
The effects of our currency diversification strategy appear in two places in the condensed consolidated financial statements: (1) as a component of “Other income” in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income and (2) as OCI in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The full effect of the GLOBAL is captured in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
The table below presents a comparison of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the GLOBAL for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of 3/31/2025 |
|
As of 3/31/2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GLOBAL in |
|
% of |
Net Equity |
|
|
GLOBAL in |
|
% of |
Net Equity |
CHANGE in |
Currency |
|
Composition |
FX Rate |
USD Equiv. |
|
Comp. |
(in USD millions) |
FX Rate |
USD Equiv. |
|
Comp. |
(in USD millions) |
% of Comp. |
USD |
|
0.72 |
|
1.0000 |
|
|
0.720 |
|
76.0% |
|
$ |
13,294 |
|
1.0000 |
|
|
0.720 |
|
75.3% |
|
$ |
16,006 |
|
-0.7% |
EUR |
|
0.09 |
|
1.0815 |
|
|
0.097 |
|
10.3% |
|
|
1,797 |
|
1.1553 |
|
|
0.104 |
|
10.9% |
|
|
2,311 |
|
0.6% |
JPY |
|
3.91 |
|
0.0067 |
|
|
0.026 |
|
2.8% |
|
|
481 |
|
0.0063 |
|
|
0.025 |
|
2.6% |
|
|
548 |
|
-0.2% |
GBP |
|
0.02 |
|
1.2918 |
|
|
0.026 |
|
2.7% |
|
|
477 |
|
1.3226 |
|
|
0.026 |
|
2.8% |
|
|
588 |
|
0.0% |
CHF |
|
0.02 |
|
1.1307 |
|
|
0.023 |
|
2.4% |
|
|
418 |
|
1.2510 |
|
|
0.025 |
|
2.6% |
|
|
556 |
|
0.2% |
CNH |
|
0.13 |
|
0.1376 |
|
|
0.018 |
|
1.9% |
|
|
330 |
|
0.1452 |
|
|
0.019 |
|
2.0% |
|
|
420 |
|
0.1% |
INR |
|
1.10 |
|
0.0117 |
|
|
0.013 |
|
1.4% |
|
|
238 |
|
0.0107 |
|
|
0.012 |
|
1.2% |
|
|
262 |
|
-0.1% |
CAD |
|
0.02 |
|
0.6950 |
|
|
0.010 |
|
1.1% |
|
|
192 |
|
0.7187 |
|
|
0.011 |
|
1.1% |
|
|
240 |
|
0.0% |
AUD |
|
0.02 |
|
0.6247 |
|
|
0.009 |
|
1.0% |
|
|
173 |
|
0.6901 |
|
|
0.010 |
|
1.1% |
|
|
230 |
|
0.1% |
HKD |
|
0.04 |
|
0.1285 |
|
|
0.004 |
|
0.5% |
|
|
83 |
|
0.1276 |
|
|
0.004 |
|
0.5% |
|
|
99 |
|
0.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.947 |
|
100.0% |
|
$ |
17,483 |
|
|
|
|
0.956 |
|
100.0% |
|
$ |
21,260 |
|
0.0% |
Interest Rate Risk
We had no variable‑rate debt outstanding as of March 31, 2026.
We pay our customers interest based on benchmark overnight interest rates in various currencies, when interest rates are above a benchmark rate plus a small spread, on cash balances above $10 thousand (or equivalent) in securities accounts holding more than $100 thousand and at lower, tiered rates for accounts holding less than $100 thousand (or equivalent) net asset value. In currencies, if any, with negative rates, we pass through the cost of holding certain cash balances to our customers; therefore, we charge our customers interest on these cash balances. In a normal rate environment, we typically invest a portion of these funds in U.S. government securities with maturities of up to two years, although given the current interest rate environment, at this time all such investments mature within three months. If interest rates were to increase rapidly and substantially, our net interest income would not increase proportionally with the interest rates for the portion of the funds invested at fixed yields. In addition, the mark-to-market changes in the value of these fixed rate securities will be reflected in other income, instead of net interest income. Our margin balances are priced to a benchmark rate plus a spread, with a minimum charge of 0.75% in U.S. dollars and most foreign currencies.
Based on customer balances and investments outstanding as of March 31, 2026, and assuming reinvestment of maturing instruments in instruments of short-term duration, an increase of 0.25% over current U.S. dollar interest rate levels would increase our net interest income by $82 million on an annualized basis, assuming the full effect of reinvestment at higher rates. A 0.25% increase in all the relevant non-U.S. dollar benchmark rates would increase our net interest income by $32 million on an annualized basis. Our interest rate sensitivity estimate contains separate assumptions for U.S. dollar rates from other currencies’ rates and it isolates the effects of a rate increase on reinvestments. We do not approximate mark-to-market impact from interest rate changes; if U.S. government securities whose prices were to fall under these scenarios were held to maturity, as intended, then the reduction in other income would be temporary, as the securities would mature at par value. If such securities were sold prior to maturity, the loss would be realized and the proceeds reinvested at prevailing higher interest rates.
We also face the potential for reduced net interest income from customer deposits and margin loans if benchmark rates were to fall. Based on customer balances and investments outstanding as of March 31, 2026, and assuming reinvestment of maturing instruments in instruments of short-term duration, a decrease in U.S. dollar interest rates of 0.25% would decrease our net interest income by $82 million on an annualized basis, assuming the full effect of reinvestment at lower rates. A 0.25% decrease in all the relevant non-U.S. dollar benchmark rates would decrease our net interest income by $35 million on an annualized basis.
We also face interest rate risk due to positions carried for our remaining market making activities to the extent that long or short stock positions may have been established for future or forward dates on options or futures contracts and the value of such positions is impacted by interest rates. The amount of such risk cannot be quantified, however, the current low level of market making positions does not indicate a material potential exposure.
Dividend Risk
We face dividend risk in our remaining market making activities as we derive revenues and incur expenses in the form of dividend income and expense, respectively, from our inventory of equity securities, and must make payments in lieu of dividends on short positions in equity securities within our portfolio. Projected future dividends are an important component of pricing equity options and other derivatives, and incorrect projections may lead to trading losses. The amount of such risk cannot be quantified, however, the current low level of market making positions does not indicate a material potential exposure.
Margin Loans
We extend margin loans to our customers, which are subject to various regulatory requirements. Margin loans are collateralized by cash and securities in the customers’ accounts. The risks associated with margin credit increase during periods of fast market movements or in cases where collateral is concentrated and market movements occur. During such times, customers who utilize margin loans and who have collateralized their obligations with securities may find that the securities have a rapidly depreciating value and may not be sufficient to cover their obligations in the event of a liquidation. We are also exposed to credit risk when our customers execute transactions, such as short sales of options and equities that can expose them to risk beyond their invested capital.
We expect this kind of exposure to increase with the growth of our overall business. Because we indemnify and hold harmless our clearing houses and counterparties from certain liabilities or claims, the use of margin loans and short sales may expose us to significant off‑balance‑sheet risk if collateral requirements are not sufficient to fully cover losses that customers may incur and those customers fail to satisfy their obligations. As of March 31, 2026, we had $86.5 billion in margin loans extended to our customers. The amount of risk to which we are exposed from the margin loans we extend to our customers and from short sale transactions by our customers is unlimited and not quantifiable as the risk is dependent upon analysis of a potentially significant and undeterminable rise or fall in stock prices. Our account level margin requirements meet or exceed those required by Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and FINRA portfolio margin rules, as applicable. As a matter of practice, we enforce real‑time margin compliance monitoring and liquidate customers’ positions if their equity falls below required margin requirements.
We have a comprehensive policy implemented in accordance with regulatory standards to assess and monitor the suitability of investors to engage in various trading activities. To mitigate our risk, we also continuously monitor customer accounts to detect excessive concentration, large orders or positions, patterns of day trading and other activities that indicate increased risk to us.
Our credit exposure is to a great extent mitigated by our real-time margining system, which automatically evaluates each account throughout the trading day and closes out positions automatically for accounts that are found to be under‑margined. While this methodology is effective in most situations, it may not be effective in situations where no liquid market exists for the relevant securities or commodities or where, for any reason, automatic liquidation for certain accounts has been disabled. Our Market Risk Committee continually monitors and evaluates our risk management policies, including the implementation of policies and procedures to enhance the detection and prevention of potential events to mitigate margin loan losses.
Value‑at‑Risk
We estimate VaR using a historical approach, which uses the historical daily price returns of underlying assets as well as estimates of the end of day implied volatility for options. Our one‑day VaR is defined as the unrealized loss in portfolio value that, based on historically observed market risk factors, would have been exceeded with a frequency of one percent, based on a calculation with a confidence interval of 99%.
Our VaR model generally takes into account exposures to equity and commodity price risk and foreign exchange rates.
We use VaR as one of a range of risk management tools. Among their benefits, VaR models permit the estimation of a portfolio’s aggregate market risk exposure, incorporating a range of varied market risks and portfolio assets. One key element of the VaR model is that it reflects risk reduction due to portfolio diversification or hedging activities. However, VaR has various strengths and limitations, which include, but are not limited to: use of historical changes in market risk factors, which may not be accurate predictors of future market conditions, and may not fully incorporate the risk of extreme market events that are outsized relative to observed historical market behavior or reflect the historical distribution of results beyond the confidence interval; and reporting of losses in a single day, which does not reflect the risk of positions that cannot be liquidated or hedged in one day. A small proportion of market risk generated by trading positions is not included in VaR. The modeling of the risk characteristics of some positions relies on approximations that, under certain circumstances, could produce significantly different results from those produced using more precise measures. VaR is most appropriate as a risk measure for trading positions in liquid financial markets and will understate the risk associated with severe events, such as periods of extreme illiquidity.
The VaR calculation simulates the performance of the portfolio based on several years of daily price changes of the underlying assets and determines the VaR as the calculated loss that occurs at the 99th percentile.
Since the reported VaR statistics are estimates based on historical data, VaR should not be viewed as predictive of our future revenues or financial performance or of our ability to monitor and manage risk. There can be no assurance that our actual losses on a particular day will not exceed the indicated VaR or that such losses will not occur more than one time in 100 trading days. VaR does not predict the magnitude of losses which, should they occur, may be significantly greater than the VaR amount.
Stress Test
We estimate the market risk of our fixed income portfolio using a risk analysis model provided by a leading external vendor. For corporate bonds, this stress test is configured to calculate the change in value of each fixed income security in the portfolio over one day in five scenarios each of which represents a parallel shift of the U.S. Treasury yield curve. The scenarios are shifts of +/−100 and +/−200 basis points. For U.S. government securities, the stress test is configured to calculate the change in value of each fixed income security in the portfolio over one day in three scenarios each of which represents a parallel shift of the U.S. Treasury yield curve. The scenarios are shifts of +/−50 basis points.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective, in all material respects, to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
In addition, no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the period covered by this report quarter that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. We have not experienced any material impact to our internal controls over financial reporting related to our employees working remotely.