WallStSmart

CME Group Inc (CME)vsPayPal Holdings Inc (PYPL)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

PayPal Holdings Inc generates 410% more annual revenue ($33.17B vs $6.51B). CME leads profitability with a 62.6% profit margin vs 15.8%. PYPL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.69. PYPL earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 78/100 (B+).

CME

Buy

63

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.5Value: 7.3Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 1/9

PYPL

Strong Buy

78

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 6.7Profit: 8.0Value: 10.0Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 1.66
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

CMEUndervalued (+43.8%)

Margin of Safety

+43.8%

Fair Value

$522.76

Current Price

$293.93

$228.83 discount

UndervaluedFair: $522.76Overvalued
PYPLUndervalued (+82.3%)

Margin of Safety

+82.3%

Fair Value

$253.19

Current Price

$44.85

$208.34 discount

UndervaluedFair: $253.19Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CME6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Profit MarginProfitability
62.6%10/10

Keeps 63 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
63.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 63.8%

Market CapQuality
$105.67B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Debt/EquityHealth
0.129/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

EPS GrowthGrowth
35.0%8/10

Earnings expanding 35.0% YoY

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.10B8/10

Generating 1.1B in free cash flow

PYPL6 strengths · Avg: 8.5/10
P/E RatioValuation
8.2x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Return on EquityProfitability
25.7%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 26 in profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.698/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Price/BookValuation
2.0x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
39.4%8/10

Earnings expanding 39.4% YoY

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.19B8/10

Generating 2.2B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

CME3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
26.3x4/10

Moderate valuation

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
1/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
5.842/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

PYPL2 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
3.7%4/10

3.7% revenue growth

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.664/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : CME

The strongest argument for CME centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 62.6% and operating margin at 63.8%.

Bull Case : PYPL

The strongest argument for PYPL centers on P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, PEG Ratio. Profitability is solid with margins at 15.8% and operating margin at 17.5%. PEG of 0.69 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : CME

The primary concerns for CME are P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : PYPL

The primary concerns for PYPL are Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CME profiles as a mature stock while PYPL is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

PYPL carries more volatility with a beta of 1.46 — expect wider price swings.

CME is growing revenue faster at 8.0% — sustainability is the question.

PYPL generates stronger free cash flow (2.2B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

PYPL scores higher overall (78/100 vs 63/100), backed by strong 15.8% margins. CME offers better value entry with a 43.8% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

CME Group Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · FINANCIAL DATA & STOCK EXCHANGES · USA

CME Group Inc. (Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board of Trade, New York Mercantile Exchange, The Commodity Exchange) is an American global markets company. It is the world's largest financial derivatives exchange, and trades in asset classes that include agricultural products, currencies, energy, interest rates, metals, stock indexes and cryptocurrencies futures.

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PayPal Holdings Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

PayPal Holdings, Inc. is an American company operating an online payments system in the majority of countries that support online money transfers, and serves as an electronic alternative to traditional paper methods like checks and money orders. The company operates as a payment processor for online vendors, auction sites, and many other commercial users, for which it charges a fee.

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