US Equity Trading Volumes Remain Elevated Into 2026

Trading activity in U.S. equity markets has remained at high levels into early 2026, with daily volumes and notional values sustaining the elevated pace established over the previous year.

Data from January 2026 indicates that U.S. equity markets averaged approximately $1.04 trillion in notional value traded each day. The number of shares exchanged daily during the same period was about 19.44 billion, reflecting ongoing high turnover across the market.

Throughout 2025, U.S. equity markets saw a notable increase in trading activity. The average daily notional value for that year reached around $1.1 trillion, representing a 43.3% rise compared to the previous year. The average daily share volume in 2025 was approximately 17.6 billion, which marked a 44.6% year-over-year increase.

Trading volumes have remained above 15 billion shares per day for 13 consecutive months as of January 2026. This sustained activity has taken place during a period described as relatively calm in terms of market conditions, according to available reports.

What the numbers show

• January 2026 daily notional value averaged $1.04 trillion
• About 19.44 billion shares traded per day in January 2026
• 2025 daily notional value grew by 43.3% year-over-year
• 2025 daily share volume increased 44.6% from the prior year
• Trading above 15 billion shares per day has lasted 13 months

The increase in daily turnover has involved a broad range of market participants, including retail investors, institutional traders, and automated trading systems. This widespread participation has contributed to the overall rise in both notional value and share volume observed over the past year.

Reports indicate that the heightened trading activity has occurred without major disruptions or volatility in the broader market environment. The persistence of high daily volumes suggests a continued interest in U.S. equities from various segments of the trading community.

Market structure reports from both RBLT and Cboe have documented these trends, providing detailed figures on daily trading values and volumes. These sources confirm that the elevated levels of activity have continued into the start of 2026, following the sharp increases seen in 2025.

The data highlights a period of sustained high engagement in U.S. equity markets, with turnover remaining well above previous years’ averages. The figures reflect ongoing participation from multiple trading groups and stable market conditions during this time.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.