September Volatility Drives Record Trading Activity at FXCM – Retail Volumes at $414 Bln

Leading multi-asset brokerage firm, FXCM, has reported strong trading metrics for the month of September. The US-origin provider saw figures reach new highs, coming on the back of strong volatility in global financial markets. The move highlights the correlation between trader behaviour and market volatility.

FXCM reports strong performance in-line with industry peers. In its retail division, the firm saw total monthly volumes reach $414 billion, with its institutional unit also seeing better than expected activity, reaching $362 billion.

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Retail Trading Metrics

• Retail customer trading volume(1) of $414 billion in September 2014, 38% higher than August 2014 and 45% higher than September 2013. Volume from indirect sources was 47% of total retail volume(1) in the third quarter 2014.
• Retail customer trading volume(1) for the third quarter 2014 was $977 billion, 27% higher than the second quarter 2014, and relatively flat when compared to third quarter 2013.
• Average retail customer trading volume(1) per day of $18.8 billion in September 2014, 31% higher than August 2014 and 38% higher than September 2013.
• An average of 482,784 retail customer trades per day in September 2014, 23% higher than August 2014 and 26% higher than September 2013.
• Tradable accounts(2) of 212,019 as of September 30, 2014, an increase of 12,642, or 6% from August 2014, and an increase of 23,031, or 12%, from September 2013. Tradable accounts as of September 30, 2014 include 12,575 accounts acquired from IBFX.

Institutional Trading Metrics

• Institutional customer trading volume(1) of $362 billion in September 2014, 41% higher than August 2014 and 100% higher than September 2013.
• Institutional customer trading volume(1) for the third quarter 2014 was $881 billion, 48% higher than the second quarter 2014 and 53% higher than the third quarter 2013.
• Average institutional trading volume(1) per day of $16.5 billion in September 2014, 35% higher than August 2014 and 92% higher than September 2013.
• An average of 39,379 institutional client trades per day in September 2014, 11% higher than August 2014 and 3% higher than September 2013.

FXCM has been enhancing its overall offerings, recently the firm enhanced its CFD coverage. Furthermore, the broker-dealer surgically reduced its pricing structure by reducing spreads.

Key:

(1) Volume that FXCM customers traded in period translated into US dollars.

(2) An account that has sufficient funds to place a trade in accordance with FXCM trading policies.