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

NDAQ leads on 8 of 14 compared metrics.

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 June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — ARES vs NDAQ

growth of $100 · last 12y
ARES +624.9%NDAQ +578.3%ARES compounded faster
02004006008001kStart $100201620182020202220242026$725$678
ARES NDAQ

ARES vs NDAQ: by the numbers

  • NDAQ is the larger company ($47.10B vs $44.30B market cap).
  • NDAQ trades at the lower earnings multiple (25.09 vs 56.71 P/E).
  • NDAQ converts more revenue to profit (23.15% vs 9.87% net margin).
  • ARES grew revenue faster over the past five years (27.56% vs 6.89% CAGR).
  • ARES pays the higher dividend yield (3.66% vs 1.34%).

Which is better, ARES or NDAQ?

Metric tally: ARES 6 · NDAQ 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueNDAQ(lower P/E)
GrowthARES(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeARES(higher dividend yield)
QualityNDAQ(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricARESNDAQ
P/E ratio56.7125.09
Forward P/E22.4718.72
P/S ratio4.795.76
P/B ratio7.513.96
PEG ratio3.310.51

Profitability

MetricARESNDAQ
Gross margin70.73%54.81%
Operating margin22.90%29.53%
Net margin9.87%23.15%
ROE15.47%15.90%
ROIC5.14%8.26%

Dividends

MetricARESNDAQ
Dividend yield3.66%1.34%
Payout ratio252.04%35.78%

Growth (annualized)

MetricARESNDAQ
Revenue CAGR (5Y)27.56%6.89%
EPS CAGR (5Y)17.11%10.62%
Total return CAGR (5Y)22.10%8.27%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ARES or NDAQ?
It depends on your goal. value: NDAQ (lower P/E); growth: ARES (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ARES (higher dividend yield); quality: NDAQ (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NDAQ leads 8 to 6.
Is ARES or NDAQ cheaper?
On trailing earnings, NDAQ is cheaper: ARES trades at a 56.71 P/E and NDAQ at 25.09.
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 6.89%.
Does ARES or NDAQ pay a bigger dividend?
ARES yields 3.66% and NDAQ yields 1.34% 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 23.15%.
Which has been the better investment, ARES or NDAQ?
Over the past 10-year, ARES delivered the higher annualized total return — ARES at 31.44% versus NDAQ at 16.46%. 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 17, 2026.