WallStSmart

CME Group Inc (CME)vsCisco Systems Inc (CSCO)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Cisco Systems Inc generates 808% more annual revenue ($59.05B vs $6.51B). CME leads profitability with a 62.6% profit margin vs 18.8%. CSCO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.32. CSCO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B-).

CME

Buy

63

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.5Value: 7.3Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 1/9

CSCO

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.7Profit: 7.5Value: 10.0Quality: 6.0
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 1.17
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

CMEUndervalued (+43.8%)

Margin of Safety

+43.8%

Fair Value

$522.76

Current Price

$293.93

$228.83 discount

UndervaluedFair: $522.76Overvalued
CSCOUndervalued (+37.1%)

Margin of Safety

+37.1%

Fair Value

$130.10

Current Price

$81.83

$48.27 discount

UndervaluedFair: $130.10Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CME6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Profit MarginProfitability
62.6%10/10

Keeps 63 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
63.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 63.8%

Market CapQuality
$105.67B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Debt/EquityHealth
0.129/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

EPS GrowthGrowth
35.0%8/10

Earnings expanding 35.0% YoY

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.10B8/10

Generating 1.1B in free cash flow

CSCO5 strengths · Avg: 8.6/10
Market CapQuality
$319.49B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
23.7%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 24 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
24.9%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 24.9%

EPS GrowthGrowth
31.2%8/10

Earnings expanding 31.2% YoY

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.50B8/10

Generating 1.5B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

CME3 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
26.3x4/10

Moderate valuation

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
1/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
5.842/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

CSCO2 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
29.1x4/10

Moderate valuation

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.172/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : CME

The strongest argument for CME centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 62.6% and operating margin at 63.8%.

Bull Case : CSCO

The strongest argument for CSCO centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 18.8% and operating margin at 24.9%. PEG of 1.32 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : CME

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

Bear Case : CSCO

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

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CSCO carries more volatility with a beta of 0.83 — expect wider price swings.

CSCO is growing revenue faster at 9.7% — sustainability is the question.

CSCO generates stronger free cash flow (1.5B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor FINANCIAL DATA & STOCK EXCHANGES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

CSCO scores higher overall (70/100 vs 63/100), backed by strong 18.8% margins. CME offers better value entry with a 43.8% 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.

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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Cisco Systems Inc

TECHNOLOGY · COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT · USA

Cisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in San Jose, California, in the center of Silicon Valley. Cisco develops, manufactures and sells networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment and other high-technology services and products. Through its numerous acquired subsidiaries, such as OpenDNS, Webex, Jabber and Jasper, Cisco specializes in specific tech markets, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), domain security and energy management. On January 25, 2021, Cisco reincorporated in Delaware.

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