WallStSmart

Intercontinental Exchange Inc (ICE)vsMoodys Corporation (MCO)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Intercontinental Exchange Inc generates 29% more annual revenue ($10.56B vs $8.16B). ICE leads profitability with a 38.3% profit margin vs 34.3%. MCO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.62. MCO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 71/100 (B).

ICE

Buy

61

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 5.3Profit: 7.5Value: 5.0Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 0.60

MCO

Strong Buy

71

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.7Profit: 10.0Value: 5.0Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 3.17

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ICE5 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Profit MarginProfitability
38.3%10/10

Keeps 38 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
52.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 52.6%

Market CapQuality
$88.36B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Price/BookValuation
2.9x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.74B8/10

Generating 1.7B in free cash flow

MCO6 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
Return on EquityProfitability
92.4%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 92 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
34.3%10/10

Keeps 34 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
49.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 49.5%

EPS GrowthGrowth
56.7%10/10

Earnings expanding 56.7% YoY

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.1710/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Market CapQuality
$82.25B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Areas to Watch

ICE3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.154/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
4.8%4/10

4.8% revenue growth

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.602/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

MCO4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.624/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
29.7x4/10

Moderate valuation

Price/BookValuation
26.7x2/10

Trading at 26.7x book value

Debt/EquityHealth
2.491/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ICE

The strongest argument for ICE centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 38.3% and operating margin at 52.6%.

Bull Case : MCO

The strongest argument for MCO centers on Return on Equity, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 34.3% and operating margin at 49.5%. Revenue growth of 15.1% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : ICE

The primary concerns for ICE are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score.

Bear Case : MCO

The primary concerns for MCO are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. Debt-to-equity of 2.49 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ICE profiles as a value stock while MCO is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

MCO carries more volatility with a beta of 1.33 — expect wider price swings.

MCO is growing revenue faster at 15.1% — sustainability is the question.

ICE generates stronger free cash flow (1.7B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

MCO scores higher overall (71/100 vs 61/100), backed by strong 34.3% margins and 15.1% revenue growth. 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.

Intercontinental Exchange Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · FINANCIAL DATA & STOCK EXCHANGES · USA

The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is an American Fortune 500 company formed in 2000 that operates global exchanges, clearing houses and provides mortgage technology, data and listing services. The company owns exchanges for financial and commodity markets, and operates regulated exchanges and marketplaces.

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Moodys Corporation

FINANCIAL SERVICES · FINANCIAL DATA & STOCK EXCHANGES · USA

Moody's Corporation, often referred to as Moody's, is an American business and financial services company. It is the holding company for Moody's Investors Service (MIS), an American credit rating agency, and Moody's Analytics (MA), an American provider of financial analysis software and services.

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