Everyday Traders Capture 22% of Market Volume as Retail Influence Grows
Wall Street’s power brokers are getting a wake-up call from everyday investors. Retail traders made up 22% of industry trading volume by Oct. 2025, matching levels last seen during the 2021 GameStopGME frenzy, based on Citadel Securities data. That wave of aggressive buying helped push the S&P 500 up 16% in 2025, extending the rally to three straight years of double-digit gains.
- Individual investors poured record cash into stocks and ETFs in 2025, topping meme-stock era levels, according to JPMorgan Chase analysts.
- Retail traders also pumped a record $40B into equities during April’s tariff shock, accelerating the market’s rebound after Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff plan rattled stocks.
The staying power: Citadel Securities’s Scott Rubner noted, “They are now a price-setter — a dominant force in the market. It’s not a passing trend.” The retail movement has matured well beyond the pandemic era, with traders showing more discipline by buying dips and holding positions without quarterly performance pressure. That mindset is echoed by younger investors willing to stomach volatility for long-term upside, and many analysts expect retail influence to grow further in 2026 as tax changes and potentially lower interest rates keep participation attractive.