CME Group Inc. (CME) vs Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE)
CME and ICE are evenly matched — 7 metrics each of 14.
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 June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
CME
CME Group Inc.
$269.53Financial Services
ICE
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
$140.53Financial Services
Total return — CME vs ICE
growth of $100 · last 21yCME +256.6%ICE +1690.2%ICE compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CME ICE
CME vs ICE: by the numbers
- •CME is the larger company ($97.67B vs $79.47B market cap).
- •ICE trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.46 vs 23.00 P/E).
- •CME converts more revenue to profit (62.77% vs 29.98% net margin).
- •ICE grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.85% vs 7.93% CAGR).
- •CME pays the higher dividend yield (1.41% vs 1.05%).
Which is better, CME or ICE?
Metric tally: CME 7 · ICE 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueICE(lower P/E)
GrowthICE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCME(higher dividend yield)
QualityICE(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CME | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.00 | 20.46● |
| Forward P/E | 20.92 | 15.96● |
| P/S ratio | 14.49 | 6.13● |
| P/B ratio | 3.68 | 2.71● |
| PEG ratio | 1.58 | 1.34● |
Profitability
| Metric | CME | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 86.34%● | 68.98% |
| Operating margin | 65.57%● | 40.84% |
| Net margin | 62.77%● | 29.98% |
| ROE | 15.94%● | 13.26% |
| ROIC | 1.62% | 7.03%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CME | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.41%● | 1.05% |
| Payout ratio | 33.99% | 25.52% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CME | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 7.93% | 8.85%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 13.72%● | 8.88% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 8.64%● | 5.87% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CME or ICE?
- It depends on your goal. value: ICE (lower P/E); growth: ICE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CME (higher dividend yield); quality: ICE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
- Is CME or ICE cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ICE is cheaper: CME trades at a 23.00 P/E and ICE at 20.46.
- Which has grown faster, CME or ICE?
- Over the past five years, ICE grew revenue faster — CME at a 7.93% CAGR versus ICE at 8.85%.
- Does CME or ICE pay a bigger dividend?
- CME yields 1.41% and ICE yields 1.05% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CME or ICE more profitable?
- CME runs the higher net margin — CME at 62.77% versus ICE at 29.98%.
- Which has been the better investment, CME or ICE?
- Over the past 10-year, CME delivered the higher annualized total return — CME at 15.04% versus ICE at 11.81%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CME P/E ratioIntercontinental Exchange P/E ratioCME dividend yieldIntercontinental Exchange dividend yieldCME ROEIntercontinental Exchange ROECME operating marginIntercontinental Exchange operating marginCME revenue growthIntercontinental Exchange revenue growthCME free cash flowIntercontinental Exchange free cash flow
CME & Intercontinental Exchange appear in these rankings
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 14, 2026.