Hudson River Trading generated a record $6.4bn in trading revenue during the first quarter of 2026, capitalising on heightened market volatility and strong activity across global asset classes, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The report cites unnamed people familiar with the matter as highlighting that the New York-based market maker more than doubled its trading revenue compared with the same period last year, with first-quarter revenue rising approximately 135% year-on-year.
The firm’s profit reportedly climbed to around $4.2 billion over the quarter, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation reached approximately $4.5 billion.
The figures, which remain preliminary pending final quarterly results, underline the growing dominance of quantitative trading firms in global markets, particularly during periods of elevated volatility.
Hudson River Trading, commonly known as HRT, is one of a number of non-bank electronic trading firms that use proprietary technology, quantitative models and automated execution systems to provide liquidity across multiple markets and asset classes.
The firm’s reported performance follows similarly strong results from rivals including Jane Street Group and Citadel Securities, both of which have benefited from increased trading volumes and market dislocations this year.
Jane Street recently reported record net trading revenue of more than USD16 billion for the first three months of 2026, according to earlier reports.
People familiar with HRT’s business said the firm ended the quarter with roughly USD20 billion in net trading capital deployed across strategies and markets globally.
In recent years, the firm has expanded beyond its traditional high-frequency trading roots by adding strategies with longer investment horizons and increasing investment in artificial intelligence-driven trading models.
The company has also continued to raise capital to support expansion. HRT recently returned to debt markets seeking to raise an additional USD600 million, with proceeds expected to be used for general corporate purposes and to increase trading capacity.
Founded by alumni from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, the firm now employs more than 1,000 staff globally.
