KUALA LUMPUR (May 21): Brokerage platform Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd said it saw an uptick in its clients’ trading activities in the equities market following the 14th general election, showing an aggressive approach to the market after the unprecedented poll on May 9.  

“Based on our local retail investor clients, the reaction after the election has been very positive so far. [During the week after the election], we saw an increase of 40% in account opening, an increase of 25% in brokerage revenue basis, and in terms of trading value basis there was an increase of 15% compared with last month’s average,” Rakuten Trade managing director Kaoru Arai told reporters at a media briefing today.

The media briefing was held to celebrate Rakuten Trade’s first anniversary since its introduction as the country’s first completely digital equities broker, achieving over 12,500 users registered to the platform so far.

Arai attributed the company’s growth to the support from both Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd, Rakuten Securities Inc, local regulators, business partners and Rakuten Trade employees.

Rakuten Trade is a joint venture between Malaysia’s Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd and Japan’s Rakuten Securities Inc, which is part of Rakuten Group.