MarketAxess Announces Trading Volume Statistics for May 2025

Business Wire

4 days ago

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: MKTX), the operator of a leading electronic trading platform for fixed-income securities, today announced trading volume and preliminary variable transaction fees per million ('FPM') for May 2025. 1
Select May 2025 Highlights* (See tables 1-1C and table 2)
The MarketAxess platform's strong performance persisted in May through moderated levels of volatility, providing our clients with deep liquidity through Open Trading.
We delivered strong progress with our new initiatives across the client-initiated, portfolio trading and dealer-initiated channels that contributed to the strong performance in May.
Client-Initiated
Strong increases in block trading ADV across U.S. credit (+41%), emerging markets (+24%) and eurobonds (+116%). We launched our targeted block trading solution in U.S. credit in mid-May.
Block trading in emerging markets and eurobonds both benefitted from the launch of our targeted block solution in late 2024, which has generated cumulative trading volume of approximately $1.7 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively, since launch.
Clients continued to leverage our algos in U.S. government bond trading, helping to drive a 57% increase in ADV to $28.3 billion with estimated market share of 2.6% in May.
Portfolio Trading
Year-to-date May 2025, estimated market share of U.S. credit portfolio trading is 18.6%, compared to 14.1% in the prior year same period, an increase of approximately 450 basis points. 2
90% of all portfolio trading ADV was executed over X-Pro in May.
Dealer-Initiated
Dealer-initiated ADV increased 41% to $1.8 billion.
May 2025 Variable Transaction Fees Per Million 1 (See table 1D)
The decline in total credit FPM compared to the prior year was driven principally by protocol mix. Total credit FPM was flat month-over-month.
The decline in total rates FPM compared to the prior year was driven by the impact of product mix. Total rates FPM was down slightly month-over-month.
*All comparisons versus May 2024 unless noted.
Table 1A: Market ADV
Month % Change
May-25 Apr-25 May-24 YoY MoM
MARKET ADV ($ millions)
Credit
U.S. High-Grade TRACE
$
39,652
$
44,647
$
32,864
21
%
(11
)
%
U.S. High-Yield TRACE
13,171
14,565
10,313
28
(10
)
Total U.S. Credit TRACE
52,823
59,212
43,177
22
(11
)
Municipal Bonds MSRB
10,306
15,427
7,123
45
(33
)
Rates
U.S. Government Bonds TRACE
$
1,106,252
$
1,354,981
$
830,586
33
%
(18
)
%
Agency TRACE
4,032
4,064
2,982
35
(1
)
U.S. Trading Days 4
21
21
22
U.K. Trading Days 4
19
20
20
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Table 1B: Estimated Market Share 5
Month Bps Change
May-25 Apr-25 May-24 YoY MoM
MKTX ESTIMATED MARKET SHARE (%)
U.S. High-Grade
% of U.S. High-Grade TRACE (incl. SD PT) 5
19.9%
19.4%
19.2%
+70
bps
+50
bps
% of U.S. High-Grade TRACE (excl. SD PT) 5
19.3%
19.3%
18.6%
+70
bps
–
bps
U.S. High-Yield
% of U.S. High-Yield TRACE (incl. SD PT) 5
12.4%
14.1%
13.1%
(70)
bps
(170)
bps
% of U.S. High-Yield TRACE (excl. SD PT) 5
12.2%
13.5%
12.8%
(60)
bps
(130)
bps
Other Credit Products
Rates
% of U.S. Government Bonds TRACE
2.6%
2.8%
2.2%
+40
bps
(20)
bps
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Table 1C: Strategic Priorities ADV 2
Month % Change
May-25 Apr-25 May-24 YoY MoM
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ADV ($ millions)
Client-Initiated Channel
U.S. Credit Block Trading
$
3,070
$
3,751
$
2,182
41
%
(18
)
%
Emerging Markets Block Trading
1,451
1,579
1,173
24
(8
)
Eurobonds Block Trading
637
497
294
116
28
Portfolio Trading Channel
Total MKTX Portfolio Trading 2
$
1,455
$
1,790
$
853
71
%
(19
)
%
Total MKTX U.S. Credit Portfolio Trading 2
1,014
1,441
734
38
(30
)
Total U.S. Credit TRACE Portfolio Trading 2
6,041
7,349
4,164
45
(18
)
Dealer-Initiated Channel
Total Dealer Initiated (DRFQ & Mid-X)
$
1,781
$
1,916
$
1,260
41
%
(7
)
%
Other
Open Trading
$
4,777
$
5,739
$
3,924
22
%
(17
)
%
AxessIQ
189
181
138
37
4
U.S. Trading Days 4
21
21
22
U.K. Trading Days 4
19
20
20
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Table 1D: Variable Transaction Fees Per Million (FPM) 1
Month % Change
May-25 Apr-25 May-24 YoY MoM
AVG. VARIABLE TRANS. FEE PER MILLION (FPM)
Total Credit
$
138
$
138
$
148
(7
)
%
0
%
Total Rates
3.75
3.76
4.40
(15
)
(0
)
Expand
1 The FPM for total credit and total rates for May 2025 are preliminary and may be revised in subsequent updates and public filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any fee information in future press releases.
2 Due to variances in how portfolio trading market participants utilized the portfolio trading TRACE 'flag,' the Company previously used its own internal methodology for calculating portfolio trading as an estimated percentage of TRACE volume and the Company's estimated market share. Starting in June 2024, the Company utilized the portfolio trading TRACE flag in its reported portfolio trading TRACE volume and the Company's portfolio trading estimated market share.
3 'Other Credit Products' includes municipal bonds, leveraged loans, convertible bonds and structured products.
4 The number of U.S. trading days is based on the SIFMA holiday recommendation calendar and the number of U.K. trading days is based primarily on the U.K. Bank holiday schedule.
5 'SD PT' is defined as single-dealer portfolio trades. The Company is currently highlighting the impact of single-dealer portfolio trading volume on U.S. high-grade and U.S. high-yield trading volume and estimated market share, but will continue to exclude single-dealer portfolio trading activity from each product's aggregated trading volume and estimated market share and the total credit FPM calculation.
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General Notes Regarding the Data Presented
Reported MarketAxess volume in all product categories includes only fully electronic trading volume. MarketAxess trading volumes and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ('FINRA') Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine ('TRACE') reported volumes are available on the Company's website at investor.marketaxess.com/volume.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about the outlook and prospects for the Company, market conditions and industry growth, as well as statements about the Company's future financial and operating performance. These and other statements that relate to future results and events are based on MarketAxess' current expectations. The Company's actual results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected or desired because of a number of risks and uncertainties, including: global economic, political and market factors; the level of trading volume transacted on the MarketAxess platform; the rapidly evolving nature of the electronic financial services industry; the level and intensity of competition in the fixed-income electronic trading industry and the pricing pressures that may result; the variability of our growth rate; our ability to introduce new fee plans and our clients' response; our ability to attract clients or adapt our technology and marketing strategy to new markets; risks related to our growing international operations; our dependence on our broker-dealer clients; the loss of any of our significant institutional investor clients; our exposure to risks resulting from non-performance by counterparties to transactions executed between our clients in which we act as an intermediary in matched principal trades; risks related to self-clearing; risks related to sanctions levied against states or individuals that could expose us to operational or regulatory risks; the effect of rapid market or technological changes on us and the users of our technology; issues related to the development and use of artificial intelligence; our dependence on third-party suppliers for key products and services; our ability to successfully maintain the integrity of our trading platform and our response to system failures, capacity constraints and business interruptions; the occurrence of design defects, errors, failures or delays with our platforms, products or services; our vulnerability to malicious cyber-attacks and attempted cybersecurity breaches; our actual or perceived failure to comply with privacy and data protection laws; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights or technology and defend against intellectual property infringement or other claims; our use of open-source software; our ability to enter into strategic alliances and to acquire other businesses and successfully integrate them with our business; our dependence on our management team and our ability to attract and retain talent; limitations on our flexibility because we operate in a highly regulated industry; the increasing government regulation of us and our clients; risks related to the divergence of U.K. and European Union legal and regulatory requirements following the U.K.'s exit from the European Union; our exposure to costs and penalties related to our extensive regulation; our risks of litigation and securities laws liability; our tax filing positions; the effects of climate change or other sustainability risks that could affect our operations or reputation; our future capital needs and our ability to obtain capital when needed; limitations on our operating flexibility contained in our credit agreement; our exposure to financial institutions by holding cash in excess of federally insured limits; and other factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More information about these and other factors affecting MarketAxess' business and prospects is contained in MarketAxess' periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can be accessed at www.marketaxess.com.
About MarketAxess
MarketAxess (Nasdaq: MKTX) operates a leading electronic trading platform that delivers greater trading efficiency, a diversified pool of liquidity and significant cost savings to institutional investors and broker-dealers across the global fixed-income markets. Approximately 2,100 firms leverage MarketAxess' patented technology to efficiently trade fixed-income securities. Our automated and algorithmic trading solutions, combined with our integrated and actionable data offerings, help our clients make faster, better-informed decisions on when and how to trade on our platform. MarketAxess' award-winning Open Trading® marketplace is widely regarded as the preferred all-to-all trading solution in the global credit markets. Founded in 2000, MarketAxess connects a robust network of market participants through an advanced full trading lifecycle solution that includes automated trading solutions, intelligent data and index products and a range of post-trade services. Learn more at www.marketaxess.com and on X @MarketAxess.
Credit
High-grade
$
160,636
$
7,649
$
134,675
$
6,122
19
%
25
%
High-yield
33,636
1,602
29,044
1,320
16
21
Emerging markets
75,925
3,615
67,625
3,074
12
18
Eurobonds
54,538
2,870
45,471
2,274
20
26
Other credit
12,850
612
12,836
582
-
5
Total credit trading 1
337,585
16,348
289,651
13,372
17
22
Rates
U.S. government bonds 2
594,163
28,293
397,586
18,072
49
57
Agency and other government bonds 1
30,329
1,589
14,744
728
106
118
Total rates trading
624,492
29,882
412,330
18,800
51
59
Total trading
$
962,077
$
46,230
$
701,981
$
32,172
37
44
Number of U.S. Trading Days 3
21
22
Number of U.K. Trading Days 4
19
20
Year-to-Date Ended May 31,
In millions (unaudited)
2025
2024
% Change
Volume
ADV
Volume
ADV
Volume
ADV
Credit
High-grade
$
802,448
$
7,791
$
735,624
$
7,006
9
%
11
%
High-yield
164,952
1,601
145,839
1,389
13
15
Emerging markets
405,938
3,941
363,206
3,459
12
14
Eurobonds
258,158
2,531
216,884
2,085
19
21
Other credit
64,848
630
49,097
467
32
35
Total credit trading 1
1,696,344
16,494
1,510,650
14,406
12
14
Rates
U.S. government bonds 2
2,972,889
28,863
1,873,806
17,846
59
62
Agency and other government bonds 1
119,090
1,167
61,582
591
93
97
Total rates trading
3,091,979
30,030
1,935,388
18,437
60
63
Total trading
$
4,788,323
$
46,524
$
3,446,038
$
32,843
39
42
Number of U.S. Trading Days 3
103
105
Number of U.K. Trading Days 4
102
104
1 Consistent with FINRA TRACE reporting standards, both sides of trades are included in the Company's reported volumes when the Company executes trades on a matched principal basis between two counterparties.
2 Consistent with industry standards, U.S. government bond trades are single-counted.
3 The number of U.S. trading days is based on the SIFMA holiday recommendation calendar.
4 The number of U.K. trading days is based primarily on the U.K. Bank holiday schedule.
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