One of the standout stories of the markets in 2025, the participation of the retail investor. Even bigger than we might have thought according to some new data. Christina Partz joins us with more on that.What do we know. >> Well, retail traders are just having a breakout year. That's what we know.They're pouring money into markets at nearly double the 5-year average. That's 53% above last year's level. And this according to JP Morgan.So, what it's working, what are they doing. Well, JP Morgan says the winni ...

Core Insights - The stock market is transitioning from traditional trading hours to a 24/7 model, driven by the rise of retail investors and the influence of cryptocurrency trading [2][3][4] Group 1: Market Structure Changes - Major U.S. exchanges like NYSE and Nasdaq are planning to extend trading hours to 22 and 24 hours respectively, reflecting a significant shift in market structure [3] - Retail investor participation now accounts for at least 20% of daily U.S. trading volume, indicating a growing influence of individual traders on market dynamics [3] Group 2: Impact of Retail Trading - The move towards continuous trading raises concerns about price volatility and market manipulation, questioning whether it will benefit everyday investors or increase their risks [4] - Brokerages such as Robinhood and Charles Schwab are already utilizing alternative trading systems to facilitate this shift, indicating a broader industry trend [4] Group 3: Behavioral Trends - The behavior of retail traders is evolving, with individuals increasingly treating financial markets as betting opportunities, influenced by real-time news and social media [5][6] - Blue Ocean Technologies reported a significant increase in overnight trading volume, highlighting the growing trend of retail investors engaging in trading based on immediate market events [6] Group 4: Comparison with Other Markets - The traditional trading day is becoming outdated as other markets like cryptocurrency and foreign exchange operate continuously, reflecting a broader demand for 24/7 trading [6][7] - Platforms like Polymarket demonstrate a strong appetite for turning various events into financial positions, suggesting a cultural shift in how people engage with financial markets [5][7]