 Major U.S. brokerages that reported quarterly results this week cheered the self-directed day trading happening on their platforms as individuals with a bit of extra money and time on their hands during the coronavirus pandemic have been engaging more in markets. Bank of America Corps self-directed investment platform Merrill Edge saw trading volume rise 184 and new accounts up 13 during the second quarter. It now has nearly 3 million users with a record 246 billion in assets, a spokesperson said. 