Managing Director of Asia Pacific Operations, Interactive Brokers
Search every verified David Friedland interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a September 2024 interview, David Friedland, Managing Director of Asia Pacific Operations at Interactive Brokers, stated that 39% of the firm's clients are based in Asia Pacific and that the company has been in the region since 1995. He said that trading has been "pretty dominant" in US markets, particularly in technology, semiconductors, and AI, and that leveraged ETFs, especially semiconductor ETFs, had seen strong business. Friedland noted that clients tend to trade volatility, and that when volatility picks up, business generally increases. He observed a push toward stock options for hedging or taking advantage of large moves, as well as activity in the futures market. Friedland said he expected volatility to increase as the US election approaches, adding that "generally, business has been strong."
“We have 39% of our clients based in Asia Pacific, and we've been out here since 1995, continuing to grow each year.”
“Trading is pretty dominant in the US markets; people tend to trade their home market like in Hong Kong they'll trade Hong Kong and the US, and the US markets have been dominant particularly in tech, semiconductors, and AI.”
“Leverage ETFs, especially semiconductor ETFs, have done extremely strong business, particularly last week with the selloff.”
“Clients tend to trade volatility, so when volatility picks up, business picks up in general.”
“We're seeing a big push to stock options where clients can take more advantage of volatility with different strategies, either hedging their individual stock trades or taking advantage of large moves.”
“It's also quite busy in the Futures Market where clients are taking very quick punts on market moves.”
“I imagine we'll see some increase in volatility as the election approaches and there is more uncertainty in the markets.”
“Generally, business has been strong and that's just a function of what's going on in the world; it's a crazy place right now.”
David Friedland from Interactive Brokers says market volatility helps business.
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