Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (IBKR)
NEUTRALFundamental
57
Price
$94.87
Market Cap
$158.54B
Part 1 · What the company is worth
Overview
Interactive Brokers runs a highly automated brokerage that lets individuals, financial advisors and institutions buy and sell stocks, options, futures, bonds and other securities on exchanges around the world. It built its own trading technology from the start rather than buying it, which lets it run with far fewer employees per dollar of client assets than most traditional brokers, and it has used that efficiency to expand aggressively outside the United States.
How it makes money
Two sources dominate: a commission on every trade a client executes — roughly $2.1 billion for full-year 2025 — and net interest income of around $3.6 billion, earned on the gap between what the firm pays clients on cash balances and what it charges them to borrow on margin, plus interest it earns investing client cash itself. Commissions move with trading activity while net interest income moves with the level of prevailing interest rates, so the two sources are exposed to different, mostly unrelated risks.
Competitive moat
Cost advantage · NarrowInteractive Brokers built its own order-routing and account infrastructure rather than assembling it from vendors, which lets it run at a lower cost per client than brokers with more manual processes and pass some of that saving on as lower fees. That edge is real but narrowing, as low-cost and zero-commission competitors have closed much of the price gap in the retail segment over the past decade.
What drives demand
CyclicalNet interest income, the larger of the two main revenue sources, rises and falls directly with the level of central-bank interest rates rather than with any decision the company makes, and commission revenue swings with how actively clients trade, which itself tends to pick up in volatile markets and fade in calm ones.
Key risks
- Sensitivity to interest rates — A large share of profit comes from the spread between what the firm pays on client cash and what it earns; a sustained fall in interest rates compresses that spread and reduces net interest income.
- Trading volume tied to market activity — Commission revenue depends on how much clients trade, which falls in prolonged calm or bearish markets when investors trade less frequently.
- Client margin loan credit risk — The firm lends clients money against their portfolios; a sharp, fast market decline can leave some loans undercollateralized before positions can be liquidated, exposing the firm to losses.
- Regulation across many jurisdictions — Operating exchanges and clients in numerous countries means complying with a wide range of securities and banking regulators, and a rule change in any one market can force costly operational adjustments.
The case for
Buyers argue that owning its own low-cost trading technology lets Interactive Brokers keep winning price-sensitive clients from higher-cost rivals, that its growing international account base diversifies it away from any single market, and that net interest income gives it a profit stream that does not depend on clients trading actively.
The case against
Sellers fear that a sustained fall in interest rates would remove the largest single driver of recent profit growth, that competitors have narrowed the cost advantage that once set Interactive Brokers apart, and that a sharp market shock could expose the firm to margin-loan losses faster than positions can be unwound.
Written by the editors, published on August 18, 2026
Direct competitors
Who this company fights with for the same customers
No editorial profile for this company yet
No competitor list for this company yet.
Balance Sheet & Liquidity
Revenue
$6.86B
Trailing 12 months (through 6/30/2026)
Net Income
$4.90B
Trailing 12 months (through 6/30/2026)
Free Cash Flow
-
Total Equity
$5.36B
Total Liabilities
$182.77B
Current Ratio
0.98
Interest Coverage
1.38
Debt/EBITDA
-
Earnings Per Share
Revenue & Net Income
Free Cash Flow
Income Breakdown
Historical statement
Margins over time
Debt over time
Growth grid
Growth — Revenue
Fair Value Estimation
Fair Value
$104.17
Current Price
$94.87
Margin of Safety
+8.9%
Fair Value Range
$90.42 - $117.93
Estimation Methods
Valuation Metrics
P/E Ratio
37.07
ROE
81.2%
P/B Ratio
1.01
P/FCF
-
Gross Margin
-
ROIC
-
Profitability Radar
Value Creation (Economic Moat)
ROIC
-
WACC
12.0%
ROIC − WACC
-
Fundamental Analysis Criteria
Passed (11)
- Price CAGR 26.25%
- P/B Ratio 1.01
- Operating Margin 78.0%
- Low reliance on intangibles
- ROE 20.5%
- Revenue Growth 5Y 33.3%
- Analyst Consensus 85% Buy
- Earnings Surprise avg 3.7%
- Earnings Quality (OCF/NI) 3.25
- Share Dilution -0.3%
- Net Margin Trend 71.3% vs 66.7%
Failed (9)
- EPS shows upward trend
- EPS CAGR -0.05%
- Debt/Equity ratio
- Interest Coverage
- Return on Tangible Assets
- Price below Graham Number
- DCF valuation (Unknown)
- PEG Ratio 4.66
- Piotroski F-Score 4/9
Unavailable (8)
- ROIC NaN%
- Gross Margin NaN%
- P/FCF NaN
- Dividend Payout NaN%
- Positive Free Cash Flow
- CapEx intensity
- Current Ratio
- Debt/EBITDA
Piotroski F-Score
Mixed signals: some areas need attention
Earnings Quality
High quality: earnings backed by cash
Share Dilution
Buying back shares. Shareholder friendly
Governance
Executive Team
| Name | Title | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Thomas Pechy Peterffy | Founder & Chairman | 81 |
| Mr. Milan Galik | President, CEO & Director | 58 |
| Mr. Paul Jonathan Brody | CFO, Treasurer, Secretary & Director | 65 |
| Dr. Thomas A. J. Frank Ph.D. | Executive Vice President | 69 |
| Mr. Denis Mendonca | Chief Accounting Officer | 50 |
| Ms. Nancy Enslein Stuebe | Director of Investor Relations | 61 |
| Mr. David Eric Friedland | Managing Director of Asia Pacific Operations | 61 |
Audit Risk
4
Board Risk
10
Compensation Risk
9
Shareholder Rights Risk
10
Part 2 · The price and when to enter
This part won't tell you whether the company is worth owning: it helps you choose when to buy it, once the fundamentals have convinced you. Inside: technical analysis, potential, historical drawdowns, gamma exposure.
Latest News
Recent headlines for IBKR, sourced from Markets Gazette.
- 4/22/2026POSITIVEIndividual-investor ranks are burgeoning, according to Interactive Brokers. Here’s what those investors are buying.
Interactive Brokers reported a significant 32% year-over-year increase in retail and institutional account growth during the first quarter. This surge in new accounts, particularly from individual investors, indicates a growing interest in market participation and trading. For investors, this trend suggests a potentially broadening base of market participants, which can contribute to increased liquidity and trading volumes. The company's ability to attract and service this growing client base positions it favorably in the brokerage sector, potentially leading to higher revenue and profitability.
- 4/21/2026NEUTRALTranscript: Interactive Brokers Group Q1 2026 Earnings Conference Call
Interactive Brokers Group held its Q1 2026 Earnings Conference Call on April 21, 2026. The transcript provides detailed insights into the company's financial performance, operational highlights, and strategic outlook for the upcoming quarters. While specific financial figures and forward-looking statements are discussed, the transcript itself is an informational document. Investors should review the call details to assess management's commentary on market conditions, client growth, and profitability drivers to form their own investment thesis.
- 4/10/2026NEUTRALInteractive Brokers Founder Lost $90,000 To Insider Trading But Now Wants It Legalized
Thomas Peterffy, founder and CEO of Interactive Brokers, has publicly stated his desire to abolish insider trading laws, citing personal losses of $90,000 due to such regulations. Peterffy argues that insider trading should be legalized, suggesting it could lead to more efficient markets by incorporating all available information into stock prices more rapidly. This controversial stance, while not directly impacting the company's current operations or financial health, raises significant ethical and regulatory questions for the financial industry and its participants. Investors may view this as a reputational risk or a philosophical debate with no immediate financial consequence.
- 4/9/2026POSITIVEThomas Peterffy on IBKR's Plan to Professionalize Prediction Markets | Odd Lots
Interactive Brokers, a leading electronic brokerage, is venturing into the prediction markets space, aiming to professionalize the nascent industry. Founder and Chairman Thomas Peterffy believes prediction markets have the potential to become a significant instrument for institutional traders, moving beyond their current niche status. The firm's entry signals a strategic expansion into a potentially high-growth area, leveraging its established infrastructure and client base to attract professional participation. This move could transform prediction markets from a curiosity into a serious tool for sophisticated investors, potentially driving increased trading volume and innovation.
- 4/9/2026NEUTRALThomas Peterffy on IBKR's Plan to Professionalize Prediction Markets
Thomas Peterffy, the founder of Interactive Brokers, has expressed strong conviction in the future of prediction markets, suggesting they represent a significant growth area. While the article does not detail specific financial projections or immediate business impacts for Interactive Brokers, Peterffy's endorsement signals a potential strategic focus for the company. Investors will be watching for how IBKR plans to capitalize on this emerging market, which could lead to new revenue streams and enhanced platform offerings if successfully integrated.
- 3/31/2026POSITIVEInteractive Brokers expands crypto trading to retail investors in Europe
Interactive Brokers has expanded its cryptocurrency trading services to retail investors across the European Economic Area (EEA). Clients can now trade 11 different cryptocurrencies directly within their existing brokerage accounts, alongside traditional assets. This move broadens IBKR's digital asset offering and aims to capture a larger share of the growing retail crypto market in Europe. The integration allows for a seamless trading experience, potentially attracting new clients and increasing trading volume for existing ones.
- 3/10/2026NEUTRALThe Structural Risks Investors Should Watch at Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers Group Inc. faces scrutiny over potential long-term structural risks that may not be apparent in its quarterly financial reports. While the company's recent performance might appear robust, investors are advised to consider factors that could impact its value over extended periods. These underlying issues, though not immediately visible, could shape the company's trajectory and its ability to generate sustained shareholder returns. A thorough understanding of these structural elements is crucial for a comprehensive investment assessment.
- 3/2/2026POSITIVEWhy Interactive Brokers Group Stock Was a Winner Today
Interactive Brokers Group experienced a strong market performance, with its stock closing the day higher. Investors reacted positively to the company's latest monthly operational update, which evidently exceeded expectations or provided encouraging signals regarding future growth and profitability. This kind of positive reaction suggests that operational data, such as client account numbers, trading volumes, or net interest income, were robust, bolstering confidence in the company's business model and management within the online brokerage sector. A solid operational update is often a key indicator of financial health and a company's ability to generate shareholder value, making the stock attractive to growth-oriented investors.
via Markets Gazette