Interactive Brokers (IBKR) shares plummeted 7.44% in intraday trading on Thursday, significantly extending the pre-market losses. The sharp decline comes in the wake of two major developments that have rattled investor confidence in the online brokerage firm.

The primary catalyst for the sell-off is a regulatory filing revealing that Interactive Brokers' Founder and Chairman, Thomas Peterffy, has acquired a substantial 25.9% stake in conservative media outlet Newsmax, valued at over $6.2 billion. This unexpected move into a politically oriented media investment has raised concerns among investors about potential conflicts of interest and distractions from Interactive Brokers' core business.

Adding to the downward pressure, Citigroup analysts have cut their price target for Interactive Brokers from $242 to $215. While the specific reasons for the downgrade were not immediately clear, such actions by major financial institutions often lead to increased selling pressure. As markets digest these developments, investors will be closely watching how Interactive Brokers addresses concerns about its chairman's large stake in a media company and whether the firm can maintain its focus on its core brokerage business amidst these distractions.