IBKR ForecastTrader (ForecastEx)

ForecastTrader is Interactive Brokers' prediction-market product. One IBKR account reaches three venues: ForecastEx, Kalshi and CME Group event contracts. ForecastEx LLC is an IBKR affiliate that is both a CFTC-designated exchange (DCM) and a clearing house (DCO).

Contracts trade between about $0.01 and $0.99, and a correct contract pays $1, as on the other exchanges. IBKR says trading runs around the clock, seven days a week, with maintenance windows.

ForecastEx markets cover elections, economics, climate and government. Secondary sources report it has no sports contracts. US election contracts are only for eligible US residents.

It has the lowest flat per-contract fee we found. ForecastEx contracts cost $0 commission plus a $0.01 exchange fee. Kalshi contracts through IBKR cost $0.01 commission plus $0.01. CME event contracts are also $0.01 plus $0.01. Formula fees on Kalshi or Polymarket US can be lower on very cheap or very expensive contracts. For example, Polymarket US comes to about 0.33¢ at a 5¢ price.

IBKR also pays an incentive coupon on the value of ForecastEx positions. It was 3.38% APY on the official page on Oct 14, 2026, accrued daily and paid monthly. The rate changes. It matters most on long-dated contracts, where your money sits for months.

You must be 21 or older. That applies to eligible clients of IBKR's US, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland and Singapore entities. You also need an IBKR brokerage account. Laws change, check your state.

Investors who already have an Interactive Brokers account and want the lowest flat per-contract fee.

Skip it if you're under 21, you want sports contracts on ForecastEx, or you don't want a full brokerage account.

ForecastEx contracts: $0 commission + $0.01 exchange fee per contract. Kalshi contracts via IBKR: $0.01 + $0.01. CME event contracts: $0.01 + $0.01. Incentive coupon: 3.38% APY on ForecastEx position value, accrued daily and paid monthly (rate changes). Source: interactivebrokers.com/en/pricing/commissions-events.php and the ForecastTrader home page, checked Oct 14, 2026. Check the official site.

• The lowest flat per-contract fee we found: $0.01 total on ForecastEx contracts. Formula fees elsewhere can be lower on very cheap or very expensive contracts; Polymarket US comes to about 0.33¢ at a 5¢ price.
• The coupon (3.38% APY when checked, accrued daily, paid monthly) means money in a long contract isn't sitting idle.
• One account reaches ForecastEx, Kalshi and CME event contracts.
• Trading runs around the clock, seven days a week, apart from maintenance windows.
• ForecastEx is both a CFTC-designated exchange and a clearing house, run by an IBKR affiliate.

• 21+ only, stricter than Kalshi or Robinhood (both 18+).
• You need a full IBKR brokerage account, which is more setup than a single-purpose app.
• No sports on ForecastEx, per secondary sources.
• The coupon rate changes, so don't count on 3.38%.
• Kalshi contracts cost $0.02 per contract here. On very cheap Kalshi contracts, Kalshi's own rounded-up fee (at least 1¢) can be lower.

IBKR ForecastTrader vs Robinhood. On ForecastEx contracts IBKR costs $0.01 per contract in total. Robinhood costs up to about $0.02 (commission capped at $0.01 plus up to $0.01 exchange fee). On Kalshi contracts, IBKR is $0.02, about level with Robinhood. Only IBKR pays a coupon on positions. Robinhood is open at 18, routes to more exchanges and offers sports where states allow. IBKR is 21+. IBKR has the lowest flat per-contract fee. For age and sports, Robinhood is wider.

1. Read the event-contract fees at interactivebrokers.com/en/pricing/commissions-events.php.
2. Confirm you're 21 or older and have, or want, an IBKR account.
3. Read the ForecastTrader home page to see the venues (ForecastEx, Kalshi, CME) and market types.
4. Check the current coupon rate, since it changes.
5. Open one ForecastEx market and read its rules before looking at the price.