Market Uncertainty Boosts Growth for CME and IBKR
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 20 2026
0mins
Should l Buy CME?
Source: Fool
- CME Group Performance: CME Group reported a record average daily trading volume for the fifth consecutive year, with a remarkable 114% year-over-year increase in its metals segment during Q4, indicating strong growth potential amid market uncertainty.
- Significant Retail Customer Growth: CME's retail customer base grew by 23% in 2025, surpassing 600,000 accounts, reflecting increased investor confidence in its platform and further driving trading activity.
- Interactive Brokers Platform Expansion: Interactive Brokers recently expanded trading access to Brazilian equities and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, allowing clients to fund accounts with stablecoins, enhancing its global trading capabilities.
- Strong Revenue Growth: Interactive Brokers' adjusted net revenues grew at a compound annual rate of 23% from Q4 2020 to Q4 2025, demonstrating the resilience and profitability of its business model in an increasingly uncertain market environment.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy CME?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on CME
Wall Street analysts forecast CME stock price to fall
10 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
4 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 319.500
Low
209.00
Averages
285.90
High
320.00
Current: 319.500
Low
209.00
Averages
285.90
High
320.00
About CME
CME Group Inc. provides a derivatives marketplace. The Company enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and over the counter (OTC) markets, optimize portfolios, and analyze data. It exchanges offer a range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange (FX), energy, agricultural products and metals. It offers futures and options on futures trading through the CME Globex platform, fixed income trading via BrokerTec and FX trading on the EBS platform. In addition, it operates central counterparty clearing provider, CME Clearing. Its products provide a means for hedging, speculation and asset allocation related to the risks associated with, among other things, interest rate sensitive instruments, and changes in the prices of agricultural, energy and metal commodities. It provides clearing and settlement services for a range of exchange-traded futures and options on futures contracts and OTC derivatives.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
US Senator Proposes Ban on War Prediction Markets
- Controversy Over Prediction Markets: Senator Chris Murphy expressed concerns about prediction markets related to the death of Iranian leader Khamenei, labeling it 'insane' and announcing plans to introduce legislation to ban such markets, highlighting the ethical implications of profiting from war.
- Legislative Proposal Context: Murphy emphasized that individuals around Trump are profiting from war and death, calling for transparency and oversight in prediction markets to prevent advance knowledge of military actions from being monetized, reflecting a significant concern for national security.
- Formation of New Trade Group: A new organization led by former Trump Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, named 'Gambling Is Not Investing', aims to advocate for stricter regulations on prediction markets, indicating lawmakers' increasing focus on market transparency and consumer protection.
- Market Response and Company Statements: Prediction market Kalshi stated it does not allow markets directly tied to death and issued refunds for related bets, emphasizing its commitment to compliance and transparency in its operations, showcasing a cautious approach to legal and ethical boundaries.
See More
Iran Attack Sparks Further Inquiry into Insider Trading in Prediction Markets
- Missile Strikes on Iran: American and Israeli missiles targeted Iran, resulting in the death of the country's leadership.
- Polymarket Trader's Bet: A trader on Polymarket placed bets that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would no longer be Supreme Leader of Iran by March 31.
See More
Insider Trading Influences Prediction Markets, Giving Polymarket an Advantage.
Bet on Federal Reserve Chair: An anonymous account on Polymarket placed a $68,000 bet on Kevin Hassett being nominated as the next Federal Reserve chair.
Social Media Speculation: A Polymarket social media account shared a screenshot of the bet, implying that the bettor might have insider knowledge about Hassett's potential nomination.
See More
Flutter Entertainment Lowers 2025 Revenue Forecast Amid Market Challenges
- Revenue Forecast Cut: Flutter Entertainment reported a 2025 revenue of $16.4 billion, missing its own forecast of $16.7 billion, indicating significant pressure in the competitive sports betting market that could undermine investor confidence.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket are encroaching on the U.S. sports betting market share, with CEO Peter Jackson downplaying their impact, yet market reactions suggest investor concerns about this emerging threat are substantial.
- Escalating Legal Battles: The legal conflicts between prediction markets and regulators are complicating Flutter's regulatory landscape, potentially affecting its future operational strategies and market positioning as states push back against these new competitors.
- Significant Stock Decline: Both Flutter and DraftKings have seen their stock prices drop by approximately 50% this year, reflecting the market's serious perception of the threat posed by prediction markets, despite differing views among company executives on how to address it.
See More
Stocks May Decline in February: Will the Magnificent Seven Ignite a March Recovery?
Stock Market Performance: U.S. stocks are expected to end February in negative territory after modest gains in January.
Economic Concerns: The market is facing pressures from worries about the artificial-intelligence trade and the trajectory of Federal Reserve interest rates.
Geopolitical Factors: Ongoing U.S. nuclear talks with Iran are contributing to the uncertainty in the market.
Quarterly Outlook: Investors are heading into the final stretch of the first quarter with these concerns weighing heavily on their decisions.
See More
Flutter's 2026 Profit Forecast Falls Short of Expectations
- Profit Growth Forecast: Flutter anticipates a modest 4% increase in core profit for 2026, reaching $2.97 billion, significantly below the $3.5 billion expected by analysts, reflecting challenges in U.S. market customer engagement.
- Stock Price Reaction: Following the profit guidance announcement, Flutter's shares fell over 9% in after-hours trading, indicating market concerns regarding its future profitability.
- Customer Strategy Misfire: CEO Peter Jackson acknowledged that the company's promotional and bonus strategies failed to execute effectively in light of decreased customer interest during critical NFL playoff games, leading to customer attrition.
- Market Investment Plans: Flutter intends to increase investment in its new prediction markets platform, which is expected to reduce core profit by $200 million to $300 million in 2026, aiming to enhance customer loyalty and improve competitive positioning.
See More
US Senator Proposes Ban on War Prediction Markets
- Controversy Over Prediction Markets: Senator Chris Murphy expressed concerns about prediction markets related to the death of Iranian leader Khamenei, labeling it 'insane' and announcing plans to introduce legislation to ban such markets, highlighting the ethical implications of profiting from war.
- Legislative Proposal Context: Murphy emphasized that individuals around Trump are profiting from war and death, calling for transparency and oversight in prediction markets to prevent advance knowledge of military actions from being monetized, reflecting a significant concern for national security.
- Formation of New Trade Group: A new organization led by former Trump Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, named 'Gambling Is Not Investing', aims to advocate for stricter regulations on prediction markets, indicating lawmakers' increasing focus on market transparency and consumer protection.
- Market Response and Company Statements: Prediction market Kalshi stated it does not allow markets directly tied to death and issued refunds for related bets, emphasizing its commitment to compliance and transparency in its operations, showcasing a cautious approach to legal and ethical boundaries.
See More
Iran Attack Sparks Further Inquiry into Insider Trading in Prediction Markets
- Missile Strikes on Iran: American and Israeli missiles targeted Iran, resulting in the death of the country's leadership.
- Polymarket Trader's Bet: A trader on Polymarket placed bets that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would no longer be Supreme Leader of Iran by March 31.
See More
Insider Trading Influences Prediction Markets, Giving Polymarket an Advantage.
Bet on Federal Reserve Chair: An anonymous account on Polymarket placed a $68,000 bet on Kevin Hassett being nominated as the next Federal Reserve chair.
Social Media Speculation: A Polymarket social media account shared a screenshot of the bet, implying that the bettor might have insider knowledge about Hassett's potential nomination.
See More
Flutter Entertainment Lowers 2025 Revenue Forecast Amid Market Challenges
- Revenue Forecast Cut: Flutter Entertainment reported a 2025 revenue of $16.4 billion, missing its own forecast of $16.7 billion, indicating significant pressure in the competitive sports betting market that could undermine investor confidence.
- Intensifying Market Competition: Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket are encroaching on the U.S. sports betting market share, with CEO Peter Jackson downplaying their impact, yet market reactions suggest investor concerns about this emerging threat are substantial.
- Escalating Legal Battles: The legal conflicts between prediction markets and regulators are complicating Flutter's regulatory landscape, potentially affecting its future operational strategies and market positioning as states push back against these new competitors.
- Significant Stock Decline: Both Flutter and DraftKings have seen their stock prices drop by approximately 50% this year, reflecting the market's serious perception of the threat posed by prediction markets, despite differing views among company executives on how to address it.
See More
Stocks May Decline in February: Will the Magnificent Seven Ignite a March Recovery?
Stock Market Performance: U.S. stocks are expected to end February in negative territory after modest gains in January.
Economic Concerns: The market is facing pressures from worries about the artificial-intelligence trade and the trajectory of Federal Reserve interest rates.
Geopolitical Factors: Ongoing U.S. nuclear talks with Iran are contributing to the uncertainty in the market.
Quarterly Outlook: Investors are heading into the final stretch of the first quarter with these concerns weighing heavily on their decisions.
See More
Flutter's 2026 Profit Forecast Falls Short of Expectations
- Profit Growth Forecast: Flutter anticipates a modest 4% increase in core profit for 2026, reaching $2.97 billion, significantly below the $3.5 billion expected by analysts, reflecting challenges in U.S. market customer engagement.
- Stock Price Reaction: Following the profit guidance announcement, Flutter's shares fell over 9% in after-hours trading, indicating market concerns regarding its future profitability.
- Customer Strategy Misfire: CEO Peter Jackson acknowledged that the company's promotional and bonus strategies failed to execute effectively in light of decreased customer interest during critical NFL playoff games, leading to customer attrition.
- Market Investment Plans: Flutter intends to increase investment in its new prediction markets platform, which is expected to reduce core profit by $200 million to $300 million in 2026, aiming to enhance customer loyalty and improve competitive positioning.
See More
