CME vs. ICE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CME and ICE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
CME’s market capitalization stands at 99.13 billion USD, while ICE’s is 103.55 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 CME (beta: 0.48) exhibits greater stability.
| Symbol | CME | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CME Group Inc. | Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| Industry | Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges | Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges |
| CEO | Terrence A. Duffy | Jeffrey C. Sprecher |
| Price | 275.08 USD | 180.51 USD |
| Market Cap | 99.13 billion USD | 103.55 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.48 | 1.13 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | December 6, 2002 | November 16, 2005 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CME 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
CME
13.26%
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 26.26%
- Q3
- 23.14%
- Median
- 14.33%
- Q1
- 11.12%
- Min
- -0.64%
CME’s Return on Equity of 13.26% is on par with the norm for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges 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
CME
8.70%
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 18.31%
- Q3
- 14.86%
- Median
- 11.07%
- Q1
- 6.75%
- Min
- 4.04%
CME’s Return on Invested Capital of 8.70% is in line with the norm for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
ICE
6.39%
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 6.39% 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
CME
57.71%
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 39.08%
- Q3
- 31.63%
- Median
- 23.20%
- Q1
- 18.09%
- Min
- -0.88%
CME’s Net Profit Margin of 57.71% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
ICE
22.84%
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 22.84% 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
CME
64.92%
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 53.68%
- Q3
- 40.45%
- Median
- 31.81%
- Q1
- 24.66%
- Min
- 9.71%
CME’s Operating Profit Margin of 64.92% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
ICE
36.65%
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 36.65% 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 | CME | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 13.26% | 10.17% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.30% | 1.95% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 8.70% | 6.39% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 57.71% | 22.84% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 64.92% | 36.65% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 86.46% | 54.79% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
CME
1.02
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.96
- Min
- 0.62
CME’s Current Ratio of 1.02 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.
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
CME
0.13
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.80
- Median
- 0.62
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.04
Falling into the lower quartile for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry, CME’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.13 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
CME
25.08
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 27.44
- Q3
- 22.05
- Median
- 10.08
- Q1
- 6.79
- Min
- 1.01
CME’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 25.08 is in the upper quartile for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
ICE
5.11
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 5.11 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CME | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.02 | 1.00 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.02 | 1.00 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.13 | 0.74 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.02 | 0.14 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 0.40 | 3.23 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 25.08 | 5.11 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for CME 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
CME
3.85%
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 3.86%
- Q3
- 1.44%
- Median
- 1.06%
- Q1
- 0.73%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.85%, CME offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
ICE
1.28%
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 1.28% 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
CME
105.42%
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 106.40%
- Q3
- 44.44%
- Median
- 31.97%
- Q1
- 29.26%
- Min
- 0.00%
CME’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 105.42% is above 100%. This means the company is paying out more in dividends than it earned, a practice that is often unsustainable and could indicate a risk to future dividend stability.
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 | CME | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.85% | 1.28% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 105.42% | 38.04% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
CME
27.28
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 41.71
- Q3
- 40.17
- Median
- 37.47
- Q1
- 30.61
- Min
- 16.74
In the lower quartile for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry, CME’s P/E Ratio of 27.28 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
ICE
37.22
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 37.22 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
CME
4.22
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 4.54
- Q3
- 4.09
- Median
- 4.06
- Q1
- 3.33
- Min
- 2.36
A Forward PEG Ratio of 4.22 places CME in the upper quartile for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
ICE
3.10
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 3.10 is a positive indicator. It suggests that the stock may be attractively valued relative to its expected earnings growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
CME
15.77
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 15.75
- Q3
- 12.42
- Median
- 9.37
- Q1
- 6.34
- Min
- 1.69
With a P/S Ratio of 15.77, CME trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
ICE
8.49
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 8.49 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
CME
3.66
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges Industry
- Max
- 8.57
- Q3
- 8.05
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 3.69
- Min
- 1.19
CME’s P/B Ratio of 3.66 is in the lower quartile for the Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges 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
3.70
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 3.70 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 | CME | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 27.28 | 37.22 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 4.22 | 3.10 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 15.77 | 8.49 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 3.66 | 3.70 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 25.91 | 26.14 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 20.33 | 20.06 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 16.09 | 10.12 |