May 19 Trading Update Released
IGGroup released a trading update ahead of its annual general meeting on May 19, 2026, and raised its full-year 2026 revenue outlook. The company is listed in London under the tickerLSE: IGG. Public information shows that IG Group was confirmed for inclusion in theFTSE 100Index during the UK index quarterly review in March 2026.
According to the trading update, IG Group’s organic total revenue for the first quarter of 2026 was GBP 331.2 million, up 19% from the same period in 2025 and 15% from the previous quarter. Net trading revenue was GBP 306.5 million, up 25% year on year and 17% quarter on quarter. Net interest income was GBP 24.7 million, down 22% year on year, which the company attributed to lower interest rates and passing on more interest benefits to clients.
Source and timing: The core performance data come from IG Group’s trading update dated May 19, 2026 and financial media reports republished on the same day. FTSE index review information comes from FTSE Russell’s quarterly review announcement dated March 4, 2026. Information related to Freetrade and Independent Reserve comes from IG Group’s Q1 2026 business disclosure and annual results materials published in March 2026.
Revenue Growth Exceeds March Expectations
When IG Group published its annual results in March 2026, it had previously expected first-quarter 2026 reported revenue to be around GBP 300 million. The organic total revenue of GBP 331.2 million announced on May 19 exceeded that expectation, becoming the direct background for the board’s upgraded full-year guidance.
The company said first-quarter revenue growth was driven by multiple factors, including commodity market volatility increasing client trading activity, new product launches supporting first-time trading growth, improved marketing efficiency, and expansion in stock investing and cryptocurrency businesses. OTC derivatives remain IG Group’s most important revenue source, withOTCderivatives net trading revenue increasing 26% year on year and 22% quarter on quarter.
Key First-Quarter Data Disclosed Together
| Metric | Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | Year-on-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue | GBP 331.2 million | GBP 277.4 million | Up 19% |
| Net trading revenue | GBP 306.5 million | GBP 245.7 million | Up 25% |
| Net interest income | GBP 24.7 million | GBP 31.7 million | Down 22% |
| Active clients | 309,200 | 275,500 | Up 12% |
Client Numbers Grow Quarter on Quarter for the Fifth Consecutive Quarter
IG Group said first-time trading clients reached 45,100 in the first quarter, up 63% year on year and 65% quarter on quarter. Active clients increased 12% year on year and grew quarter on quarter for the fifth consecutive quarter. The company said first-time trading growth was related to marketing investment, new product launches, and more favorable market trading conditions.
Active clients reached 309,200 in the first quarter, reflecting continued expansion of the client base.
First-time trading increased 63% year on year, showing faster conversion of new clients.
OTC derivatives revenue remained dominant and was the core component of first-quarter profit sources.
Exchange-traded derivatives were mainly driven by tastytrade, with revenue increasing 7% year on year in sterling terms.
Assets Under Administration Exceed GBP 20 Billion by the End of April
As of March 31, 2026, IG Group’s total platformAuAwas GBP 19.3 billion, up 57% year on year on a reported basis and 20% year on year on an organic basis. As of April 30, 2026, this figure further increased to GBP 20.7 billion, driven by both net inflows and recovering market levels.
The stock trading and investment business grew significantly. IG’s organic stock trading and investment net trading revenue increased 38% year on year, with the company stating that the growth was related to the appeal of zero-commission products. IG’s organic platform assets under administration reached GBP 8.5 billion at the end of March 2026 and rose to GBP 9.3 billion by the end of April. UK platform assets stood at GBP 3.7 billion at the end of March and exceeded GBP 4.1 billion by the end of April.
Freetrade and Crypto Business Enter the Performance Scope
Freetrade continued to expand its product offering in the first quarter, launching free mutual funds,SIPP, and JuniorISA. As of the end of March 2026, Freetrade’s assets under administration reached GBP 3.6 billion, up 54% year on year, and exceeded GBP 4 billion in April.
The cryptocurrency business was also included in the update. IG Group completed its acquisition of Australian cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve on January 30, 2026, and launched spot cryptocurrency trading for Australian clients in March. Independent Reserve contributed GBP 2.1 million in revenue during two months of consolidation. The company also disclosed that its UK platform had launched spot crypto trading, crypto swaps, advanced charting features, and more than 50 new tokens.
Full-Year and Medium-Term Outlook Raised Together
Against the backdrop of strong first-quarter performance and continued trading momentum in the first seven weeks of the second quarter, IG Group’s board raised its 2026 organic total revenue growth outlook to 10%–15%. This outlook is based on 2025 organic total revenue of around GBP 1.1 billion and does not include contributions from Freetrade and Independent Reserve.
EBITDAmargin is still expected to remain in the mid-40% range. The net interest income outlook was raised from approximately GBP 110 million to GBP 110 million–GBP 120 million. The company also said that beyond 2026, organic total revenue is expected to achieve compound annual growth of at least 10% from the 2025 base.
Strategic Review and Buyback Continue to Advance
IG Group’s board launched a strategic review in March 2026, covering acquisition opportunities, domicile and listing venue arrangements, and potential combinations of parts of the group’s business with other industry participants. The company expects to disclose the review conclusions when it releases its strategic update in autumn 2026.
On March 19, 2026, IG Group announced a GBP 125 million share buyback program.
On April 1, 2026, the first tranche of up to GBP 62.5 million began.
As of May 15, 2026, the company had repurchased 987,160 shares at a cost of GBP 14.9 million.
On May 19, 2026, the company released a trading update ahead of its annual general meeting and raised its guidance.
On July 31, 2026, the company plans to announce its half-year results for the period ending June 30, 2026.
This article is a news-style summary based on public information and the company’s trading update, and does not constitute investment advice. Products involvingCFDs, options, forex, crypto assets, and derivatives may result in losses. Investors should read official disclosure documents and assess their own risk tolerance.
Questions Related to IG Group’s Revenue Outlook
Why did IG Group raise its 2026 revenue outlook on May 19?
The main reason was that total revenue, net trading revenue, and client growth in the first quarter of 2026 all exceeded previous expectations, while trading conditions continued in the first seven weeks of the second quarter. As a result, the company raised its full-year organic total revenue growth outlook to 10%–15%.
Which businesses mainly drove IG Group’s first-quarter revenue growth?
OTC derivatives remained the largest revenue source, while stock trading and investment, exchange-traded derivatives, cryptocurrency products, and Freetrade-related businesses jointly broadened the company’s revenue sources.
