COVID-19 Boost, Plus500 Sees 487% YoY Uptick in Q1 2020 Revenues

Plus500, an online provider for trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), has published a trading update for the first quarter of 2020, revealing exceptional revenues for the Israel-based broker.

In particular, Plus500 achieved "exceptional Q1 revenues", according to the company. When comparing Q1 of 2020 revenues, which was $316.6 million, against the same period of the previous year, exceptional might just be the right word, as this is a 487 percent yearly increase.

Solid results show investor confidence in the Trading Platform Trading Platform In the FX space, a currency trading platform is a software provided by brokers to their respective client base, garnering access as traders in the broader market. Most commonly, this reflects an online interface or mobile app, complete with tools for order processing.Every broker needs one or more trading platforms to accommodate the needs of different clients. Being the backbone of the company’s offering, a trading platform provides clients with quotes, a selection of instruments to trade, real In the FX space, a currency trading platform is a software provided by brokers to their respective client base, garnering access as traders in the broader market. Most commonly, this reflects an online interface or mobile app, complete with tools for order processing.Every broker needs one or more trading platforms to accommodate the needs of different clients. Being the backbone of the company’s offering, a trading platform provides clients with quotes, a selection of instruments to trade, real Read this Term

In fact, the revenue achieved in just the first quarter of this year is equal to 89 percent of the revenue achieved across the whole of 2019. When measured against the final quarter of 2019, Q1 revenues have also increased by 230 percent. These solid revenues have been achieved thanks to significantly increased Volatility Volatility In finance, volatility refers to the amount of change in the rate of a financial instrument, such as commodities, currencies, or stocks, over a given time period. Essentially, volatility describes the nature of an instrument’s fluctuation; a highly volatile security equates to large fluctuations in price, and a low volatile security equates to timid fluctuations in price. Volatility is an important statistical indicator used by financial traders to assist them in developing trading systems. Trad In finance, volatility refers to the amount of change in the rate of a financial instrument, such as commodities, currencies, or stocks, over a given time period. Essentially, volatility describes the nature of an instrument’s fluctuation; a highly volatile security equates to large fluctuations in price, and a low volatile security equates to timid fluctuations in price. Volatility is an important statistical indicator used by financial traders to assist them in developing trading systems. Trad Read this Term across global financial markets, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to a strong uptick in client trading activity.

In the first three months of 2020, active customers climbed to 194,024 during the period. This is a rise of 98 percent versus Q1 2019. Furthermore, New Customer acquisition improved by 289 percent when compared to Q1 2019

The average deposit per active customer in the quarter was $3,595, whereas the same metric in Q1 of 2019 was $2,153, showing an increase in the broker's trading platform.

Commenting on the results, Asaf Elimelech, Chief Executive Officer of Plus500, said in the statement: "Plus500 has achieved exceptional first quarter results, thanks to our dedicated people working efficiently during these challenging times."

"... As a result of the exceptional Q1 performance, revenue and profitability for the full year are expected to be substantially ahead of current consensus expectations. However, as we remain at an early stage in the financial year, and there are global markets uncertainties as well as ongoing regulatory changes, it remains difficult to predict the outcome for the full year."

Plus500 expects to beat 2020 forecasts

Looking ahead, Plus500 said that because of the very strong performance in the three-month period, the broker now expects that revenue and profitability for the full year are now expected to be substantially ahead of current consensus expectations.

Furthermore, the firm said that the first few days of the second quarter of 2020 had seen continued high levels of volatility. However, it is difficult to forecast how long this heightened period will continue.