C3.ai, Inc. (AI) vs CME Group Inc. (CME)

CME leads on 7 of 9 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of C3.ai, Inc. and CME Group Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — AI vs CME

growth of $100 · last 6y
AI -91.6%CME +47.7%CME compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
1101001kStart $100202120222023202420252026$8$148
AI CME

AI vs CME: by the numbers

  • CME is the larger company ($97.67B vs $1.55B market cap).
  • CME is profitable (62.77% net margin) while AI runs a net loss (-187.95%).
  • CME grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.93% vs 6.44% CAGR).
  • CME pays a dividend (1.41% yield) while AI does not currently pay one.

Which is better, AI or CME?

Metric tally: AI 2 · CME 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthCME(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityCME(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAICME
P/E ratio23.00
Forward P/E20.93
P/S ratio6.3714.49
P/B ratio2.443.68
PEG ratio1.58
EV / EBITDA17.39
FCF yield4.42%

Profitability

MetricAICME
Gross margin30.92%86.34%
Operating margin-194.86%65.57%
Net margin-187.95%62.77%
ROE-71.95%15.94%
ROIC-68.71%1.62%

Dividends

MetricAICME
Dividend yield1.41%
Payout ratio33.99%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAICME
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.44%7.93%
EPS CAGR (5Y)13.72%
FCF CAGR (5Y)12.73%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-29.02%8.64%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AI or CME?
It depends on your goal. growth: CME (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: CME (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CME leads 7 to 2.
Which has grown faster, AI or CME?
Over the past five years, CME grew revenue faster — AI at a 6.44% CAGR versus CME at 7.93%.
Does AI or CME pay a bigger dividend?
CME pays a dividend (1.41% yield) while AI does not currently pay one.
Is AI or CME more profitable?
CME runs the higher net margin — AI at -187.95% versus CME at 62.77%.
Which has been the better investment, AI or CME?
Over the past 5-year, CME delivered the higher annualized total return — AI at -29.02% versus CME at 15.04%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.