MCO vs. NDAQ: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 3, 2025

Here’s a clear look at MCO and NDAQ, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	MCO	NDAQ
Company Name	Moody's Corporation	Nasdaq, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Capital Markets	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	86.06 billion USD	50.21 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	October 31, 1994	July 1, 2002
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MCO and NDAQ 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.

MCO vs. NDAQ: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MCO	NDAQ
5-Day Price Return	0.35%	1.49%
13-Week Price Return	-5.01%	-1.08%
26-Week Price Return	1.36%	14.08%
52-Week Price Return	0.63%	21.83%
Month-to-Date Return	-6.53%	-6.64%
Year-to-Date Return	0.66%	14.41%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.97M	5.29M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.70M	3.47M
3-Month Volatility	21.68%	20.38%
Beta	1.41	1.01

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

MCO

56.41%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 13.52%
Q1: 8.61%
Min: -4.25%

MCO’s Return on Equity of 56.41% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Capital Markets industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

NDAQ

13.22%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 13.52%
Q1: 8.61%
Min: -4.25%

NDAQ’s Return on Equity of 13.22% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

MCO vs. NDAQ: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

MCO

29.18%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 69.91%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 24.30%
Q1: 13.06%
Min: -15.18%

MCO’s Net Profit Margin of 29.18% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Capital Markets industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

NDAQ

18.59%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 69.91%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 24.30%
Q1: 13.06%
Min: -15.18%

NDAQ’s Net Profit Margin of 18.59% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Capital Markets industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

MCO vs. NDAQ: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

MCO

40.55%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 84.86%
Q3: 47.16%
Median: 32.23%
Q1: 18.65%
Min: -21.87%

MCO’s Operating Profit Margin of 40.55% is around the midpoint for the Capital Markets industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

NDAQ

26.12%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 84.86%
Q3: 47.16%
Median: 32.23%
Q1: 18.65%
Min: -21.87%

NDAQ’s Operating Profit Margin of 26.12% is around the midpoint for the Capital Markets industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

MCO vs. NDAQ: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MCO	NDAQ
Return on Equity (TTM)	56.41%	13.22%
Return on Assets (TTM)	13.79%	4.94%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	29.18%	18.59%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	40.55%	26.12%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	72.78%	60.60%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

MCO

1.75

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.56
Min: 0.04

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

NDAQ

0.96

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.56
Min: 0.04

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

MCO vs. NDAQ: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

MCO

1.76

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.52
Q3: 2.79
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

NDAQ

0.78

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.52
Q3: 2.79
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

MCO vs. NDAQ: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

MCO

17.56

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 107.59
Q3: 48.41
Median: 10.85
Q1: 4.56
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

NDAQ

4.92

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 107.59
Q3: 48.41
Median: 10.85
Q1: 4.56
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

MCO vs. NDAQ: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MCO	NDAQ
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.75	0.96
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.75	0.96
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.76	0.78
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	17.56	4.92

Growth

Revenue Growth

MCO vs. NDAQ: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

MCO vs. NDAQ: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

MCO

0.78%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.02%
Q3: 4.54%
Median: 2.55%
Q1: 1.27%
Min: 0.00%

MCO’s Dividend Yield of 0.78% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

NDAQ

1.14%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.02%
Q3: 4.54%
Median: 2.55%
Q1: 1.27%
Min: 0.00%

NDAQ’s Dividend Yield of 1.14% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

MCO vs. NDAQ: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

MCO

31.75%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 199.38%
Q3: 99.28%
Median: 60.67%
Q1: 32.00%
Min: 0.00%

MCO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.75% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

NDAQ

37.73%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 199.38%
Q3: 99.28%
Median: 60.67%
Q1: 32.00%
Min: 0.00%

NDAQ’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 37.73% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MCO vs. NDAQ: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MCO	NDAQ
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.78%	1.14%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	31.75%	37.73%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MCO

40.48

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 51.69
Q3: 29.42
Median: 17.58
Q1: 12.55
Min: 5.59

A P/E Ratio of 40.48 places MCO in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

NDAQ

33.01

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 51.69
Q3: 29.42
Median: 17.58
Q1: 12.55
Min: 5.59

A P/E Ratio of 33.01 places NDAQ in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

MCO vs. NDAQ: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MCO

11.81

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.65
Q3: 7.29
Median: 4.53
Q1: 2.26
Min: 0.04

MCO’s P/S Ratio of 11.81 is in the upper echelon for the Capital Markets 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.

NDAQ

6.14

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.65
Q3: 7.29
Median: 4.53
Q1: 2.26
Min: 0.04

NDAQ’s P/S Ratio of 6.14 aligns with the market consensus for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

MCO vs. NDAQ: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

MCO

22.85

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.83
Q3: 5.12
Median: 2.66
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.37

At 22.85, MCO’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Capital Markets industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

NDAQ

4.35

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.83
Q3: 5.12
Median: 2.66
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.37

NDAQ’s P/B Ratio of 4.35 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets 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.

MCO vs. NDAQ: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MCO	NDAQ
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	40.48	33.01
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	11.81	6.14
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	22.85	4.35
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	36.40	23.33