Interactive Brokers Opens Nearly 24‑Hour Forecast Contracts Trading

Interactive Brokers (Nasdaq: IBKR) is enhancing its prediction-market offering by extending trading hours for Forecast Contracts, enabling near‑round‑the‑clock access from Sunday evening through Friday night. First introduced in August 2024 via its CFTC‑regulated subsidiary ForecastEx LLC, these “yes/no” binary contracts have quickly gained popularity among clients looking to bet on economic, government, and environmental outcomes.

What Are Forecast Contracts?

Forecast Contracts are straightforward, binary event contracts where traders answer questions like, “Will the U.S. economy enter a recession by the end of Q2 2025?” Prices range from USD 0.02 to USD 0.99—reflecting the markets estimated probability. Correct predictions settle at $1.00, while incorrect ones yield nothing, offering a transparent measure of collective sentiment. These contracts are accessible across all major IBKR platforms—Mobile, Desktop, Trader Workstation, Client Portal, and the dedicated IBKR ForecastTrader—making them suitable for both retail investors and institutional users.

The Big Shift: Extended Hours

As of May 6, 2025, eligible IBKR clients can trade Forecast Contracts almost continuously, six days a week. This contrasts with the previous availability during standard U.S. equity hours and limited evening sessions.

Steve Sanders, EVP of Marketing and Product Development, explained the move: “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”.

Why It Matters

1. Global Market Alignment

Markets no longer pause at U.S. closing times. Global economic indicators, geopolitical updates, and climate events occur round‑the‑clock. By offering nearly 24/6 trading, IBKR aligns its services with global rhythms, ensuring clients can react as soon as events break, regardless of time zone.

2. Increased Engagement

Forecast Contracts surged in popularity during high‑impact events, like the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Over USD 560 million of such contracts were traded during that period and they remain a key tool for both speculation and hedging.

3. Regulated and Cost‑Effective

Offered through ForecastEx LLC, a fully regulated CFTC entity, these contracts combine transparency with low cost. With no commission fees on Forecast Contracts (unlike CME event contracts), they provide a competitive edge and a clear price structure.

4. Broader 24‑hour Momentum

IBKR isn't alone in embracing extended hours. Its chairman, Thomas Peterffy, noted that overnight trading already accounts for over 2% of the firms volume, with expectations of climbing to 25–30% over the next two decades.

This aligns with broader industry moves: Nasdaq, NYSE, Cboe, and ICE are all exploring extended trading to cater to global demand.

How It Works in Practice

Traders now gain access across multiple platforms from Sunday evening (U.S. time) through Friday late night. During otherwise illiquid hours—say, Asian session evenings—they can still place trades if new information arises. Prices react in real time to global developments, offering fresh sentiment signals.

This extended schedule allows for smoother hedging and speculative strategies. For example, traders monitoring real-time data on European inflation, Middle East environmental disruption, or U.S. Federal Reserve announcements can now trade instantly, without waiting for traditional market openings.

Looking Ahead

While IBKR has expanded economic, government, and climate Forecast Contracts, it hasn't (at least publicly) included sports wagers—unlike rivals such as Robinhood, which recently pivoted into broader event markets, drawing scrutiny.

Interactive Brokers may further broaden the product line, possibly adding climate predictions or election coverage for other regions. The firm's focus on automation, technology, and regulatory compliance gives it an edge. As prediction markets continue gaining traction, IBKRs strategy positions it well.

Final Thoughts

The expansion of trading hours for Forecast Contracts marks a key evolution in prediction-market maturity. IBKRs move supports a faster, more connected global market where events and sentiment flow without geographic or temporal limits.

For investors and traders, the key takeaway is clear: IBKR is empowering users to manage risk and capture opportunities whenever—day or night—they emerge. As Forecast Contracts mature, expect trading volume and user engagement to grow, driven by global awareness and unwavering liquidity.

Conclusion

Interactive Brokers‘ decision to move Forecast Contracts nearly 24/6 is a smart, timely response to modern market needs. With user-friendly access, transparent pricing, and a regulatory framework, these contracts offer efficient ways to reflect on global events. As digital trading continues extending beyond traditional hours, IBKR’s broadened offering underscores its commitment to innovation and client empowerment in a 24‑hour investing world.

Trade Forecast Contracts commission-free. Visit IBKR broker's page for more trading opportunities.

Broker's Page:https://www.wikifx.com/en/dealer/0001646186.html