The Charles Schwab reported $27.8 billion in core net new assets for January 2026, according to its monthly activity report released on February 13, 2026, highlighting continued client engagement and seasonal inflows at the start of the year.
The January asset gathering reflects typical beginning-of-year patterns, when investors contribute new funds, rebalance portfolios, and reposition assets following year-end planning decisions. The company’s total client assets reached $12.15 trillion as of January 31, 2026, representing an 18% increase compared to January 2025 and a 2% increase from December 2025. The year-over-year growth was driven by a combination of market appreciation and sustained net inflows across Schwab’s retail and advisory channels.
Schwab opened approximately 476,000 new brokerage accounts during the month, a 10% increase from January 2025. The continued pace of account growth underscores steady demand from individual investors, independent advisors, and workplace plan participants utilizing Schwab’s brokerage and custody platforms.
Client engagement levels remained elevated throughout the month. Daily average trades reached 9.5 million in January, reflecting increased market participation and trading activity amid evolving economic conditions. Higher trading volumes can contribute to transaction-based revenue while also serving as an indicator of client confidence and market involvement.
Client cash dynamics followed expected seasonal trends. Transactional sweep cash balances declined by $20.4 billion to $433.3 billion during the month, as investors deployed cash into securities and other investments. This movement is consistent with historical January patterns, when clients often shift idle cash into the market after year-end positioning.
Margin loan balances increased 4% from year-end levels, reflecting greater client borrowing activity. Rising margin balances can signal stronger investor risk appetite and participation, though they are also influenced by market conditions and portfolio strategies.
Overall, the January metrics suggest a solid start to 2026 for Schwab, supported by continued asset growth, healthy account openings, and active client participation across its platform. The company’s scale, with more than $12 trillion in client assets, positions it as one of the largest brokerage and wealth management platforms in the United States, serving millions of retail investors and independent advisors.
Schwab provides monthly activity updates to offer investors visibility into key operating trends, including asset flows, trading volumes, account growth, and client cash balances. The January report reflects ongoing momentum across multiple operating indicators as the company enters the new year.
