AJG vs. ICE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AJG and ICE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AJG’s market capitalization stands at 81.47 billion USD, while ICE’s is 105.04 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
ICE carries a higher beta at 1.13, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while AJG (beta: 0.75) exhibits greater stability.
| Symbol | AJG | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. | Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| Industry | Insurance - Brokers | Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges |
| CEO | J. Patrick Gallagher Jr. | Jeffrey C. Sprecher |
| Price | 318.1 USD | 183.11 USD |
| Market Cap | 81.47 billion USD | 105.04 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.75 | 1.13 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | June 20, 1984 | November 16, 2005 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AJG and ICE by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AJG
9.41%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 40.40%
- Q3
- 30.52%
- Median
- 22.48%
- Q1
- 4.38%
- Min
- -5.38%
AJG’s Return on Equity of 9.41% is on par with the norm for the Insurance - Brokers industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
ICE
10.17%
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 26.26%
- Q3
- 23.14%
- Median
- 14.33%
- Q1
- 11.12%
- Min
- -0.64%
ICE’s Return on Equity of 10.17% is in the lower quartile for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
Return on Invested Capital
AJG
5.85%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 11.62%
- Q3
- 11.18%
- Median
- 8.38%
- Q1
- 2.57%
- Min
- -1.51%
AJG’s Return on Invested Capital of 5.85% is in line with the norm for the Insurance - Brokers industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
ICE
6.40%
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 18.31%
- Q3
- 14.86%
- Median
- 11.07%
- Q1
- 6.75%
- Min
- 4.04%
ICE’s Return on Invested Capital of 6.40% is in the lower quartile for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry. This indicates a less efficient conversion of invested capital into profit compared to most of its competitors.
Net Profit Margin
AJG
12.96%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 21.33%
- Q3
- 15.86%
- Median
- 10.63%
- Q1
- 1.06%
- Min
- -2.28%
AJG’s Net Profit Margin of 12.96% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Insurance - Brokers industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
ICE
23.11%
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 39.08%
- Q3
- 31.63%
- Median
- 23.20%
- Q1
- 18.09%
- Min
- -0.88%
ICE’s Net Profit Margin of 23.11% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
AJG
23.06%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 28.73%
- Q3
- 23.24%
- Median
- 21.46%
- Q1
- 10.89%
- Min
- 5.35%
AJG’s Operating Profit Margin of 23.06% is around the midpoint for the Insurance - Brokers industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
ICE
37.18%
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 53.68%
- Q3
- 40.45%
- Median
- 31.81%
- Q1
- 24.66%
- Min
- 9.71%
ICE’s Operating Profit Margin of 37.18% is around the midpoint for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AJG | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.41% | 10.17% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.10% | 1.95% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 5.85% | 6.40% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.96% | 23.11% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 23.06% | 37.18% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 55.08% | 57.94% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AJG
1.44
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 1.90
- Q3
- 1.76
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 1.05
AJG’s Current Ratio of 1.44 aligns with the median group of the Insurance - Brokers industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
ICE
1.00
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.96
- Min
- 0.62
ICE’s Current Ratio of 1.00 aligns with the median group of the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AJG
0.04
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 4.59
- Q3
- 2.12
- Median
- 0.59
- Q1
- 0.07
- Min
- 0.01
Falling into the lower quartile for the Insurance - Brokers industry, AJG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
ICE
0.74
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.80
- Median
- 0.62
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.04
ICE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.74 is typical for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AJG
29.40
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 29.40
- Q3
- 16.65
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 4.20
- Min
- 1.60
AJG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 29.40 is in the upper quartile for the Insurance - Brokers industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
ICE
5.12
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 27.44
- Q3
- 22.05
- Median
- 10.08
- Q1
- 6.79
- Min
- 1.01
In the lower quartile for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry, ICE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.12 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AJG | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.44 | 1.00 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.44 | 1.00 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.04 | 0.74 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.14 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -4.68 | 3.23 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 29.40 | 5.12 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AJG and ICE. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AJG
0.79%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 2.63%
- Q3
- 1.34%
- Median
- 0.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AJG’s Dividend Yield of 0.79% is consistent with its peers in the Insurance - Brokers industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
ICE
1.02%
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 3.86%
- Q3
- 1.44%
- Median
- 1.06%
- Q1
- 0.73%
- Min
- 0.00%
ICE’s Dividend Yield of 1.02% is consistent with its peers in the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AJG
35.97%
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 45.22%
- Q3
- 39.19%
- Median
- 29.49%
- Q1
- 3.85%
- Min
- 0.00%
AJG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 35.97% is within the typical range for the Insurance - Brokers industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
ICE
38.04%
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 106.40%
- Q3
- 44.44%
- Median
- 31.97%
- Q1
- 29.26%
- Min
- 0.00%
ICE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 38.04% is within the typical range for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AJG | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.79% | 1.02% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 35.97% | 38.04% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AJG
46.21
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 45.50
- Q3
- 35.20
- Median
- 30.00
- Q1
- 28.34
- Min
- 26.42
At 46.21, AJG’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Insurance - Brokers industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
ICE
37.75
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 41.71
- Q3
- 40.17
- Median
- 37.47
- Q1
- 30.61
- Min
- 16.74
ICE’s P/E Ratio of 37.75 is within the middle range for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AJG
3.32
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 3.32
- Q3
- 3.00
- Median
- 2.77
- Q1
- 2.41
- Min
- 2.09
AJG’s Forward PEG Ratio of 3.32 is exceptionally high for the Insurance - Brokers industry. This suggests its stock price is very high relative to its expected earnings growth, signaling significant overvaluation risk.
ICE
3.29
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 4.54
- Q3
- 4.09
- Median
- 4.06
- Q1
- 3.33
- Min
- 2.36
In the lower quartile for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry, ICE’s Forward PEG Ratio of 3.29 is a positive indicator. It suggests that the stock may be attractively valued relative to its expected earnings growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AJG
6.77
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 7.38
- Q3
- 5.34
- Median
- 4.27
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.27
AJG’s P/S Ratio of 6.77 is in the upper echelon for the Insurance - Brokers industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
ICE
8.72
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 15.75
- Q3
- 12.42
- Median
- 9.37
- Q1
- 6.34
- Min
- 1.69
ICE’s P/S Ratio of 8.72 aligns with the market consensus for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AJG
3.23
Insurance - Brokers Industry
- Max
- 10.90
- Q3
- 8.10
- Median
- 6.93
- Q1
- 4.15
- Min
- 1.12
AJG’s P/B Ratio of 3.23 is in the lower quartile for the Insurance - Brokers industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
ICE
3.76
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 8.57
- Q3
- 8.05
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 3.69
- Min
- 1.19
ICE’s P/B Ratio of 3.76 is within the conventional range for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AJG | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 46.21 | 37.75 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.32 | 3.29 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 6.77 | 8.72 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 3.23 | 3.76 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 32.26 | 26.52 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 19.36 | 20.35 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 5.46 | 10.36 |