WallStSmart

Booking Holdings Inc (BKNG)vsIntercontinental Exchange Inc (ICE)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Booking Holdings Inc generates 171% more annual revenue ($26.92B vs $9.93B). ICE leads profitability with a 33.4% profit margin vs 20.1%. BKNG appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.73. BKNG earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 78/100 (B+).

BKNG

Strong Buy

78

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 8.7Profit: 8.0Value: 10.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.05

ICE

Buy

63

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.7Profit: 7.5Value: 10.0Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 0.60
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

BKNGUndervalued (+45.4%)

Margin of Safety

+45.4%

Fair Value

$7757.57

Current Price

$4237.75

$3519.82 discount

UndervaluedFair: $7757.57Overvalued
ICEUndervalued (+38.6%)

Margin of Safety

+38.6%

Fair Value

$255.26

Current Price

$156.83

$98.43 discount

UndervaluedFair: $255.26Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BKNG6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Operating MarginProfitability
32.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 32.5%

Debt/EquityHealth
-3.4610/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.0510/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Market CapQuality
$138.30B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
20.1%9/10

Keeps 20 of every $100 in revenue as profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.738/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

ICE5 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Profit MarginProfitability
33.4%10/10

Keeps 33 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
49.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 49.6%

Market CapQuality
$88.85B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

EPS GrowthGrowth
23.4%8/10

Earnings expanding 23.4% YoY

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.11B8/10

Generating 1.1B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

BKNG2 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
P/E RatioValuation
25.9x4/10

Moderate valuation

Return on EquityProfitability
2.3%3/10

ROE of 2.3% — below average capital efficiency

ICE3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.204/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
27.0x4/10

Moderate valuation

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.602/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BKNG

The strongest argument for BKNG centers on Operating Margin, Debt/Equity, Altman Z-Score. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.1% and operating margin at 32.5%. Revenue growth of 16.0% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull 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%.

Bear Case : BKNG

The primary concerns for BKNG are P/E Ratio, Return on Equity.

Bear Case : ICE

The primary concerns for ICE are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

BKNG profiles as a growth stock while ICE is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

BKNG carries more volatility with a beta of 1.23 — expect wider price swings.

BKNG is growing revenue faster at 16.0% — sustainability is the question.

BKNG generates stronger free cash flow (1.4B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

BKNG scores higher overall (78/100 vs 63/100), backed by strong 20.1% margins and 16.0% revenue growth. ICE offers better value entry with a 38.6% 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.

Booking Holdings Inc

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · TRAVEL SERVICES · USA

Booking Holdings Inc. is an American travel technology company organized in Delaware and based in Norwalk, Connecticut, that owns and operates several travel fare aggregators and travel fare metasearch engines including namesake and flagship Booking.com, Priceline.com, Agoda.com, Kayak.com, Cheapflights, Rentalcars.com, Momondo, and OpenTable.

Visit Website →

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 →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?