IG record results thanks to $1bn tastytrade takeover

Under CEO June Felix the business has been transformed from spread betting house to global fintech. Tastytrade, bought last June, allows retail investors to play the options and futures markets usually the preserve of City and Wall Street traders.

In the half-year client numbers jumped 42% to 320,000 largely thanks to the tastytrade deal. Profit is up 8% to £245 million.

While the boom in share trading during lockdown has eased, IG still grew. Rivals such as CMC have been hit by the end of that boom. Felix said: “Some others have had harder landings.”

IG will start paying 1% of post-tax profits to charitable causes such as financial literacy.

Felix denies that ordinary folk trading the futures market is bound to end in tears, noting that clients get lots of support. “The strategy is to trade small,” she said. “You don’t jus get given the keys to the Ferrari.”

She added: “This has been a period of outstanding performance with record revenues and profits. Since we launched our new strategy three years ago, the group has transformed from a UK-centric, CFD focused firm, to a global financial technology company with a multi-product trading platform.”

Profit margins of 55% remain remarkably high compared to almost any other industry.

In its advertising, IG is obliged to point out that most people who spread bet or trade CFDs lose.

The shares are down from a peak of 950p last September. Today they rose 37p to 857p.