The Federal Reserve raised its target range for the federal funds rate by a quarter point to 3.75% to 4%, the central bank's first rate increase since July 2023. Interactive Brokers disclosed in its latest quarterly filing that a 0.25% rise in US dollar interest rates adds approximately $81 million annually to net interest income, assuming maturing investments roll over at higher rates. This represents roughly 2% of annualised net interest income and about 1% of total net revenues for the automated global broker. Net interest income, Interactive Brokers' largest revenue line, totalled $1.06 billion in the second quarter, accounting for more than half of the company's $1.9 billion in total net revenues. The company earns interest on customers' idle cash and margin loans, investing uninvested cash whilst paying interest on qualifying balances.

Interactive Brokers has integrated with X Cashtags, allowing US investors to trade directly from stock and crypto conversations on X. Users can search tickers like $AAPL or $BTC on X to view live price charts and market data, then tap an embedded "Trade" button to access Interactive Brokers for research or trading. New US clients who open and fund a qualifying account through Cashtags will receive $100 to start investing. Existing clients can click from X tickers directly into their IBKR accounts. Interactive Brokers serves over 5 million client accounts globally, offering access to options, futures, currencies, bonds, and more across over 170 markets. The platform features AI-powered trading tools, zero commissions on stocks and ETFs, and margin rates up to 55% lower than industry average.

Interactive Brokers added 143,000 customer accounts in August, bringing its total to 5.46 million accounts, up 35% year-over-year. The automated global broker has been growing steadily, adding over 600,000 accounts in the four months through August. The company's growth spans all regions and account types, including financial advisers, introducing brokers, and direct accounts. Each new customer contributes to two revenue streams: trading commissions and interest income from uninvested cash and margin loans. In the second quarter, commission revenue climbed 30% to $673 million, whilst net interest income rose 23% to $1.06 billion. The company posted a 77% pre-tax profit margin and earnings per share of $0.69, up 35%.