Retail Trading: From the Fringes to the Center of Financial Markets
Institutional Survey 2026
Retail trading is no longer a niche phenomenon. It has become a structural force shaping liquidity, volatility, and execution strategies across global markets.
To better understand this transformation, Horizon Trading Solutions surveyed 150 institutional traders and brokers in the US and UK, exploring how retail investors are influencing capital markets and how institutions are adapting their trading infrastructure and strategies.
This report provides exclusive insights into how retail flow is reshaping trading dynamics and what it means for institutional participants in the years ahead.
What you will learn
The growing influence of retail investors
Discover why retail trading now represents a significant portion of market activity and continues to expand globally.
How institutions are adapting their trading strategies
Understand how trading desks are adjusting execution strategies to interact more effectively with retail flow and retail-driven volatility.
The operational challenges institutions face
Learn about the key challenges identified by traders, including volatility management, risk control, and regulatory complexity.
The future of retail-driven markets
Explore how trends such as extended trading hours, fractional investing, prediction markets, and retail sentiment signals could reshape market structure.
Key findings from the survey
Retail trading accounts for approximately 20–35% of US market activity.
Nearly two-thirds of institutional traders say retail flow impacts at least 40% of their trading activity.
75% of respondents report adjusting their execution strategy due to the rise of retail investors.
85% of institutional traders see retail flow as beneficial for market liquidity and price discovery.
Who should read this report
This survey is designed for professionals involved in market structure, trading, and execution technology, including:
- Institutional trading desks
- Investment banks and brokers
- Market makers
- Exchanges and venues
- Market structure specialists
- Fintech and trading technology leaders
Download now:
According to the Horizon Trading Solutions 2026 institutional survey, retail trading accounts for approximately 20–35% of US market activity. This significant share confirms that retail trading has evolved from a niche phenomenon into a structural force shaping liquidity and execution across global markets. Nearly two-thirds of institutional traders report that retail flow impacts at least 40% of their trading activity, and 75% of respondents have adjusted their execution strategies in response. Institutions are adapting their trading infrastructure to interact more effectively with retail-driven volatility and order flow. The survey found that 85% of institutional traders see retail flow as beneficial for market liquidity and price discovery. This overwhelmingly positive sentiment suggests that retail participation is increasingly valued as a complementary source of liquidity in institutional trading environments. Key challenges identified by institutional traders include volatility management, risk control, and regulatory complexity. These operational hurdles stem from the growing influence of retail flow on market dynamics and require institutions to continuously adapt their infrastructure and compliance frameworks. The survey highlights several emerging trends expected to reshape market structure, including extended trading hours, fractional investing, prediction markets, and the use of retail sentiment signals. These developments are likely to further integrate retail activity into institutional trading workflows and market infrastructure.Frequently Asked Questions
