WallStSmart

Citigroup Inc. (C)vsCME Group Inc (CME)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Citigroup Inc. generates 1068% more annual revenue ($78.73B vs $6.74B). CME leads profitability with a 63.3% profit margin vs 20.4%. C appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.71. C earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 82/100 (A-).

C

Exceptional Buy

82

out of 100

Grade: A-

Growth: 8.7Profit: 6.5Value: 7.0Quality: 5.0

CME

Buy

65

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.7Profit: 8.0Value: 4.3Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 1/9

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

C6 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
Market CapQuality
$225.82B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Price/BookValuation
1.1x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
34.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 34.1%

EPS GrowthGrowth
56.1%10/10

Earnings expanding 56.1% YoY

Profit MarginProfitability
20.4%9/10

Keeps 20 of every $100 in revenue as profit

PEG RatioValuation
0.718/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

CME6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Profit MarginProfitability
63.3%10/10

Keeps 63 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
69.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 69.8%

Market CapQuality
$101.91B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Debt/EquityHealth
0.129/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

EPS GrowthGrowth
21.3%8/10

Earnings expanding 21.3% YoY

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.24B8/10

Generating 1.2B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

C2 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Return on EquityProfitability
7.7%3/10

ROE of 7.7% — below average capital efficiency

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-23.29B2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

CME2 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
1/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
4.862/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : C

The strongest argument for C centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.4% and operating margin at 34.1%. Revenue growth of 16.9% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull 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.

Bear Case : C

The primary concerns for C are Return on Equity, Free Cash Flow.

Bear Case : CME

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

Key Dynamics to Monitor

C profiles as a growth stock while CME is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

C carries more volatility with a beta of 1.12 — expect wider price swings.

C is growing revenue faster at 16.9% — sustainability is the question.

CME generates stronger free cash flow (1.2B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

C scores higher overall (82/100 vs 65/100), backed by strong 20.4% margins and 16.9% revenue growth. Both earn "Exceptional 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.

Citigroup Inc.

FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA

Citigroup Inc. is an American multinational investment bank and financial services corporation headquartered in New York City. The company was formed by the merger of banking giant Citicorp and financial conglomerate Travelers Group in 1998; Travelers was subsequently spun off from the company in 2002. Citigroup owns Citicorp, the holding company for Citibank, as well as several international subsidiaries. Citigroup is incorporated in Delaware.

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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