Spread betting and CFDs broker IG Group plc today released a trading update for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, reporting strong client activity amid market volatility and outlining key balance sheet initiatives.
The company said it now expects total revenue for FY25 to hit £1.051 billion, with adjusted profit before tax reaching £516.3 million — both figures at or slightly above the upper end of analyst forecasts. Q4 performance was particularly strong, driven by elevated volatility across asset classes in April, which sparked increased client trading volumes.
IG also confirmed the completion of its acquisition of Freetrade on April 1, a deal fully funded from existing capital. The performance of Freetrade during the quarter was in line with expectations, the broker said, and the acquisition is seen as a strategic move to broaden IG’s reach in commission-free investing and retail clients.
Earlier in Janury, IG acquired UK-based Freetrade, a British competitor to the popular stock trading app Robinhood. The deal valued Freetrade at $195 million, a 29% discount from its previous valuation. Despite the acquisition, the app will continue to operate independently under its own brand.
Meanwhile, IG exited non-performing initiatives, including the Spectrum multilateral trading facility to focus on its core products with a more cost-efficient over-the-counter model. Spectrum, which was broadly breakeven in H1 FY25, is being wound down.
In January, IG expanded its share buyback program by £50 million, taking the total authorization to £200 million. As of May 9, the company had repurchased 4.1 million shares for £39.1 million, continuing to return capital to shareholders while maintaining a healthy capital buffer.
The firm also refinanced its £400 million revolving credit facility, replacing it with a £600 million facility maturing in May 2030. IG says the expanded credit line will give it greater financial flexibility as it evaluates future investments and business opportunities.
In addition, the group plans to issue a senior unsecured bond, pending market conditions and regulatory clearance, to further diversify its funding sources and support long-term capital planning.
