Charles Schwab Corp. expects revenue growth of around 16% for the first quarter as retail investors remain engaged despite uncertainty about the direction of the economy and the war in the Middle East.
The forecast gives a more near-term outlook than the one the Westlake, Texas-based firm gave in January, when it said the figure for the full year was expected to come in at 9.5% to 10.5%, as trading volume fell slightly after record flows in 2025.
Chief Executive Officer Rick Wurster said in an interview Tuesday that retail investors — especially younger ones — are buying the dip in U.S. equities, undaunted by the war, a quickly changing macroeconomic environment and weaker U.S. jobs data.
Schwab's "diversified financial model continues to deliver," the firm said in a statement Friday.
Investor engagement is showing continued strength, with February daily average trades reaching a record 9.9 million and record client margin loan balances of $120.6 billion, up 7% from year-end, according to the statement.
Shares of the company rose 1.7% at 1:51 p.m. in New York trading.
(Credit: Bloomberg)
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