Ares Management Corporation (ARES) vs Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ)

A side-by-side comparison of Ares Management Corporation and Nasdaq, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 2, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnARES vs NDAQ

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 12y
ARES +1052.4%NDAQ +853.6%ARES compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100201620182020202220242026$1,152$954
ARES NDAQ

ARES vs NDAQ: by the numbers

  • NDAQ is the larger company ($52.65B vs $42.07B market cap).
  • NDAQ trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (27.46 vs 53.82 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • NDAQ converts more revenue to profit (22.60% vs 9.87% net margin).
  • ARES grew revenue faster over the past five years (27.56% vs 7.96% CAGR).
  • ARES pays the higher dividend yield (3.86% vs 1.19%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricARESNDAQ
P/E ratio53.8227.46
Forward P/E21.6822.86
P/S ratio4.556.14
P/B ratio7.134.46
PEG ratio3.150.51

Profitability

MetricARESNDAQ
Gross margin70.73%47.93%
Operating margin22.90%31.58%
Net margin9.87%22.60%
ROE15.47%16.42%
ROIC5.14%8.26%

Dividends

MetricARESNDAQ
Dividend yield3.86%1.19%
Payout ratio252.04%35.78%

Growth (annualized)

MetricARESNDAQ
Revenue CAGR (5Y)27.56%7.96%
EPS CAGR (5Y)17.11%10.62%
Total return CAGR (5Y)15.85%10.12%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ARES or NDAQ?
NDAQ has the lower trailing P/E: ARES trades at 53.82 and NDAQ at 27.46. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, ARES or NDAQ?
Over the past five years, ARES grew revenue faster — ARES at a 27.56% CAGR versus NDAQ at 7.96%.
Does ARES or NDAQ pay a bigger dividend?
ARES yields 3.86% and NDAQ yields 1.19% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ARES or NDAQ more profitable?
NDAQ runs the higher net margin — ARES at 9.87% versus NDAQ at 22.60%.
How have ARES and NDAQ total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, ARES delivered 27.30% and NDAQ delivered 16.69% annualized total return. 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 August 2, 2026.