Interactive Brokers May DARTs Surge 47% as Client Assets Hit $937B

Amid a period of heightened market engagement, Interactive Brokers demonstrated significant operational momentum in its May 2026 performance metrics. The firm reported 4.969 million Daily Average Revenue Trades (DARTs), marking a 47% surge from the prior year. Total ending client equity grew by 49% to reach $937.3 billion, while client margin loan balances finished the month at a robust $100.9 billion.

This growth outpaces several industry peers, as recent earnings from competitors like Charles Schwab and Robinhood have highlighted a broader trend of net new asset inflows into electronic brokerages. Per market data, the expansion of margin lending above the $100 billion threshold suggests a resurgence in retail risk appetite. This aligns with broader economic resilience reflected in the CB Consumer Confidence index, which printed at 93.1 on May 26, 2026.

Investors should monitor whether these elevated trading volumes persist as the market transitions into the second half of the year. Key catalysts to watch include upcoming US labor market data and inflation prints which could dictate future margin borrowing costs. According to the economic calendar, any shifts in Fed policy sentiment will remain a primary driver for brokerage activity levels in the near term.