Intercontinental Exchange Inc (ICE)vsSouthern Company (SO)
ICE
Intercontinental Exchange Inc
$156.83
+0.65%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $88.85B
SO
Southern Company
$94.61
+0.67%
UTILITIES · Cap: $105.91B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Southern Company generates 198% more annual revenue ($29.55B vs $9.93B). ICE leads profitability with a 33.4% profit margin vs 14.7%. ICE appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.20. ICE earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 63/100 (C+).
ICE
Buy63
out of 100
Grade: C+
SO
Buy54
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+38.6%
Fair Value
$255.26
Current Price
$156.83
$98.43 discount
Margin of Safety
-254.9%
Fair Value
$26.66
Current Price
$94.61
$67.95 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Keeps 33 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 49.6%
Large-cap with strong market position
Earnings expanding 23.4% YoY
Generating 1.1B in free cash flow
Large-cap with strong market position
Reasonable price relative to book value
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
Moderate valuation
Distress zone — elevated risk
Expensive relative to growth rate
Earnings declined 22.1%
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : ICE
The strongest argument for ICE centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 33.4% and operating margin at 49.6%.
Bull Case : SO
The strongest argument for SO centers on Market Cap, Price/Book. Revenue growth of 10.1% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : ICE
The primary concerns for ICE are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Altman Z-Score.
Bear Case : SO
The primary concerns for SO are PEG Ratio, EPS Growth, Free Cash Flow.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
ICE profiles as a mature stock while SO is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
ICE carries more volatility with a beta of 1.05 — expect wider price swings.
SO is growing revenue faster at 10.1% — sustainability is the question.
ICE generates stronger free cash flow (1.1B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
ICE scores higher overall (63/100 vs 54/100), backed by strong 33.4% margins. 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.
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.
Visit Website →Southern Company
UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED ELECTRIC · USA
Southern Company is an American gas and electric utility holding company based in the southern United States. It is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with executive offices also located in Birmingham, Alabama.
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