CME Group Inc. (CME) vs Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE)

A side-by-side comparison of CME Group Inc. and Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCME vs ICE

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CME +271.2% (+14.0%/yr)ICE +218.6% (+12.3%/yr)CME compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$371$319
CME ICE

CME vs ICE: by the numbers

  • CME is the larger company ($98.92B vs $88.08B market cap).
  • ICE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (22.16 vs 23.33 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CME converts more revenue to profit (63.08% vs 30.00% net margin).
  • ICE grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.00% vs 7.99% CAGR).
  • CME pays the higher dividend yield (1.38% vs 1.27%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCMEICE
P/E ratio23.3322.16
Forward P/E22.4619.38
P/S ratio14.616.56
P/B ratio3.732.98

Profitability

MetricCMEICE
Gross margin81.89%61.88%
Operating margin65.10%44.92%
Net margin63.08%30.00%
ROE16.11%13.63%

Dividends

MetricCMEICE
Dividend yield1.38%1.27%
Payout ratio32.23%28.25%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCMEICE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.99%9.00%
EPS CAGR (5Y)13.72%8.88%
Total return CAGR (5Y)11.89%7.17%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CME or ICE?
ICE has the lower trailing P/E: CME trades at 23.33 and ICE at 22.16. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CME or ICE?
Over the past five years, ICE grew revenue faster — CME at a 7.99% CAGR versus ICE at 9.00%.
Does CME or ICE pay a bigger dividend?
CME yields 1.38% and ICE yields 1.27% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CME or ICE more profitable?
CME runs the higher net margin — CME at 63.08% versus ICE at 30.00%.
How have CME and ICE total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CME delivered 14.06% and ICE delivered 12.22% 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 September 13, 2026.