Charles Schwab Surges Amid Retail Trading Boom, While Robinhood Attracts New Institutional Investors

Charles Schwab reported a sharp rise in customer assets and trading activity as the retail trading boom continues. In May 2026, Schwab’s customers held $13.1 trillion in assets, a 27% year‑over‑year increase, with 461,000 new brokerage accounts opened that month—a 37% rise from the previous year. The firm set a record daily average of 11.8 million trades and saw margin loans climb 38% since the end of 2025.

Meanwhile, Robinhood Markets drew heightened interest from institutional investors. Baer Investment Advisory LLC purchased 9,881 shares worth about $685,000 in the first quarter, and other firms such as Truist, PNC, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, Nomura Asset Management, and Capital Wealth Planning significantly boosted their holdings, collectively driving institutional ownership to roughly 93% of Robinhood’s outstanding shares.