CME Group Inc (CME)vsWaters Corporation (WAT)
CME
CME Group Inc
$281.25
-1.95%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $101.91B
WAT
Waters Corporation
$355.13
+1.32%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $34.41B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
CME Group Inc generates 79% more annual revenue ($6.74B vs $3.77B). CME leads profitability with a 63.3% profit margin vs 11.9%. WAT appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.52. CME earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 65/100 (C+).
CME
Buy65
out of 100
Grade: C+
WAT
Buy52
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Intrinsic value data unavailable for CME.
Margin of Safety
-63.1%
Fair Value
$201.83
Current Price
$355.13
$153.30 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Keeps 63 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 69.8%
Large-cap with strong market position
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Earnings expanding 21.3% YoY
Generating 1.2B in free cash flow
Revenue surging 91.5% year-over-year
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Areas to Watch
Weak financial health signals
Expensive relative to growth rate
Expensive relative to growth rate
Trading at 8.3x book value
ROE of 5.2% — below average capital efficiency
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : CME
The strongest argument for CME centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 63.3% and operating margin at 69.8%. Revenue growth of 14.4% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : WAT
The strongest argument for WAT centers on Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score. Revenue growth of 91.5% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : CME
The primary concerns for CME are Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio.
Bear Case : WAT
The primary concerns for WAT are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Return on Equity. A P/E of 44.6x leaves little room for execution misses.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CME profiles as a mature stock while WAT is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.
WAT carries more volatility with a beta of 1.14 — expect wider price swings.
WAT is growing revenue faster at 91.5% — sustainability is the question.
CME generates stronger free cash flow (1.2B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
CME scores higher overall (65/100 vs 52/100), backed by strong 63.3% margins and 14.4% revenue growth. Both earn "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.
Visit Website →Waters Corporation
HEALTHCARE · DIAGNOSTICS & RESEARCH · USA
Waters Corporation is a publicly traded Analytical Laboratory instrument and software company headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts.
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