I'm wondering the same thing 'laputa'.
'dj8899', yes, I agree with you:
.... "is there any chance that IB would spin off the brokerage business? i think a lot of people would have great interest investing in the brokerage portion. there's a lot of growth potential there........"
You got that right 'TM Direct' !
As I said:
Eventually, IB will be bought by one of the following:
WR Hambrecht + Co
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
Fox-Pitt, Kelton Inc
Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L. P.
E*Trade Securities, LLC
BI Investments, LLC
Doft & Co., Inc.
Fidelity Capital Markets
Ferris, Baker Watts Incorporated
LaSalle Street Securities, LLC
LPL Financial Services
Maxim Group LLC
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
Sharebuilder Securities Corporation
Wedbush Morgan Securities, Inc.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
see:
http://ipo.interactivebrokers.com/
You heard it HERE !
Tom