Closing Bell Closing Bell Overtime: Interactive Brokers’ Thomas Peterffy on earnings, surging customer activity and margin loans; Consumer activity clues with alternative data 10/16/25
Oct 16, 2025
Mike Santoli, a senior markets commentator, delves into the latest market trends, dissecting the so-called 'Trump trade' and its potential longevity. He highlights a selective rally driven by mega-cap AI stocks while noting divergence in sectors like semiconductors and homebuilders. Santoli also analyzes consumer spending, revealing how higher-income households are influencing economic dynamics. Plus, he discusses the increasing caution among traders in light of rising market volatility.
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Record Trading Drives Strong Quarter
- Interactive Brokers saw a huge surge in activity with revenues of $1.6 billion and earnings up about 40% year-over-year.
- Funded accounts, customer activity and margin loans all rose roughly 32–40%, driven by record stock and options volumes.
Customer Gains Match Rising Margin Use
- Interactive Brokers reports that 85% of its customers are up for the year, with 9% up more than 60%.
- That performance correlates with elevated margin use, which Peterffy says is at an all-time high near $80 billion.
Volume Surge Is Broad-Based
- The surge in trading volume is broad across stocks and options, not limited to a single sector.
- Peterffy expects the final three months of the year to look even better as volumes keep hitting records.