Retail Traders Beat Index, Hedge Funds Gain Nearly 29% at Interactive Brokers in 2025

Friday, 02/01/2026 | 17:01 GMT by Tareq Sikder
  • The firm’s individual clients averaged 19.2% returns in 2025, beating the S&P 500 Index.
  • The broker recently added Taipei Exchange, expanding access to Taiwan equities, ETFs, and TDRs.
Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers Group said its clients outperformed the S&P 500 Index in 2025, according to figures released by the company. The automated electronic broker reported that individual clients achieved an average return of 19.20% during the year. The S&P 500 Index returned 17.9% over the same period.

Retail Clients Drive Growth at IBKR

Retail clients remained active in December, generating 3.384 million daily average revenue trades, up 4% from last year. Client accounts reached 4.399 million, a 32% increase year-on-year, with ending equity of $779.9 billion and margin loans of $90.2 billion.

In November, the broker reported 4.27 million DARTs, up 29% from a year earlier. During the month, it added the Taipei Exchange, expanding access to Taiwan equities, ETFs, and depositary receipts across more than 160 venues.

IBKR Hedge Fund Clients Post Higher Returns

Thomas Peterffy, Founder and Chairman of Interactive Brokers
Thomas Peterffy, Founder and Chairman of Interactive Brokers

In 2025, Hedge fund clients posted stronger results. Their average return reached 28.91%, outperforming the benchmark by about 11 percentage points.

The company linked client performance to lower trading costs, execution quality, and access to global markets. It said these factors supported returns over time.

Thomas Peterffy, Founder and Chairman of Interactive Brokers, said returns depend on more than trade selection. He said they are influenced by “the costs you pay, the prices you get, and how efficiently your capital is put to work.”

He added that when investors “pay less in fees and trade with efficient execution,” the benefits “add up and compound over time.”

Clients Earn Interest, Margin Rates Low

During the year, clients earned interest on uninvested cash balances. The broker said rates reached up to 3.14% on eligible cash.

Interactive Brokers also pointed to its margin and financing terms. It said margin rates were as low as 4.14%, which it said were below industry averages.

The firm offers trading in stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds through a single platform. It said it serves more than four million clients worldwide and holds over $750 billion in client assets.

Interactive Brokers Group said its clients outperformed the S&P 500 Index in 2025, according to figures released by the company. The automated electronic broker reported that individual clients achieved an average return of 19.20% during the year. The S&P 500 Index returned 17.9% over the same period.

Retail Clients Drive Growth at IBKR

Retail clients remained active in December, generating 3.384 million daily average revenue trades, up 4% from last year. Client accounts reached 4.399 million, a 32% increase year-on-year, with ending equity of $779.9 billion and margin loans of $90.2 billion.

In November, the broker reported 4.27 million DARTs, up 29% from a year earlier. During the month, it added the Taipei Exchange, expanding access to Taiwan equities, ETFs, and depositary receipts across more than 160 venues.

IBKR Hedge Fund Clients Post Higher Returns

Thomas Peterffy, Founder and Chairman of Interactive Brokers
Thomas Peterffy, Founder and Chairman of Interactive Brokers

In 2025, Hedge fund clients posted stronger results. Their average return reached 28.91%, outperforming the benchmark by about 11 percentage points.

The company linked client performance to lower trading costs, execution quality, and access to global markets. It said these factors supported returns over time.

Thomas Peterffy, Founder and Chairman of Interactive Brokers, said returns depend on more than trade selection. He said they are influenced by “the costs you pay, the prices you get, and how efficiently your capital is put to work.”

He added that when investors “pay less in fees and trade with efficient execution,” the benefits “add up and compound over time.”

Clients Earn Interest, Margin Rates Low

During the year, clients earned interest on uninvested cash balances. The broker said rates reached up to 3.14% on eligible cash.

Interactive Brokers also pointed to its margin and financing terms. It said margin rates were as low as 4.14%, which it said were below industry averages.

The firm offers trading in stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds through a single platform. It said it serves more than four million clients worldwide and holds over $750 billion in client assets.

About the Author: Tareq Sikder
Tareq Sikder
  • 2042 Articles
  • 35 Followers
About the Author: Tareq Sikder
A Forex technical analyst and writer who has been engaged in financial writing for 12 years.
  • 2042 Articles
  • 35 Followers

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