Interactive Brokers: Nearly 24/7 Trading for Forecast Contracts

Interactive Brokers has announced expanded trading hours for its Forecast Contracts, allowing eligible clients to trade nearly 24 hours a day, Sunday through Friday. This move enhances flexibility for investors looking to manage risk and capitalize on market-moving events around the clock.

Forecast Contracts—also known as Event Contracts—are a type of binary option that enable users to take positions on the outcome of key economic, political, and environmental events. Each contract presents a simple “Yes” or “No” proposition, such as, “Will the U.S. economy enter a recession by the end of Q2 2025?” Investors can buy into the scenario they believe will occur, offering a cost-effective way to express market views.

Interactive Brokers: Nearly 24/7 Trading for Forecast Contracts

Unlike some of its competitors, Interactive Brokers has opted not to include sports-related Forecast Contracts in its offering. Robinhood (NASDAQ: HOOD), for instance, has ventured into this territory with event-based contracts on sports outcomes—effectively a form of sports betting. However, its attempt to launch a Super Bowl Forecast Contract was recently withdrawn following regulatory scrutiny.

Commenting on the update, Steve Sanders, EVP of Marketing and Product Development at IBKR, stated, “Today’s markets react instantly to events happening across geographies and time zones. By extending trading hours for Forecast Contracts, we’re offering clients the flexibility to act on critical market developments as they unfold, regardless of when they happen.”

Clients can access Forecast Contracts via various IBKR platforms, including IBKR Mobile, IBKR Desktop, Trader Workstation (TWS), Client Portal, and the dedicated IBKR ForecastTrader web interface. Contracts are from $0.02 to $0.99, reflecting the market’s perceived probability of the event. Correct predictions settle at $1.00; incorrect ones at $0, offering a real-time barometer of sentiment.

These contracts are through ForecastEx LLC, a CFTC-regulated subsidiary of Interactive Brokers, and are currently available to eligible clients in the U.S., Canada, and Hong Kong.

Company Overview

Interactive Brokers caters to diverse requirements, offering competitive fees alongside a wide array of trading options such as stocks, ETFs, options, futures, and other global assets. It distinguishes itself as a top-tier brokerage, particularly appealing to traders and investors seeking a straightforward trading experience. With Interactive Brokers’ user-friendly platform, users can execute trades seamlessly, benefiting from competitive spreads that enhance cost-effectiveness. 

Discover more in our Complete Review.