WallStSmart

CME Group Inc (CME)vsFlex Ltd (FLEX)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Flex Ltd generates 312% more annual revenue ($26.83B vs $6.51B). CME leads profitability with a 62.6% profit margin vs 3.2%. FLEX appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.94. CME earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 63/100 (C+).

CME

Buy

63

out of 100

Grade: C+

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

FLEX

Buy

57

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 4.0Profit: 6.0Value: 7.3Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.14
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
FLEXSignificantly Overvalued (-327.7%)

Margin of Safety

-327.7%

Fair Value

$15.16

Current Price

$70.02

$54.86 premium

UndervaluedFair: $15.16Overvalued

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

FLEX1 strengths · Avg: 8.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.948/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

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

FLEX4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
31.0x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Profit MarginProfitability
3.2%3/10

3.2% margin — thin

Debt/EquityHealth
1.093/10

Elevated debt levels

EPS GrowthGrowth
-4.5%2/10

Earnings declined 4.5%

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 : FLEX

The strongest argument for FLEX centers on PEG Ratio. PEG of 0.94 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 : FLEX

The primary concerns for FLEX are P/E Ratio, Profit Margin, Debt/Equity. Thin 3.2% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CME profiles as a mature stock while FLEX is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

FLEX carries more volatility with a beta of 1.25 — expect wider price swings.

CME is growing revenue faster at 8.0% — sustainability is the question.

CME generates stronger free cash flow (1.1B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

CME scores higher overall (63/100 vs 57/100), backed by strong 62.6% 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.

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.

Visit Website →

Flex Ltd

TECHNOLOGY · ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS · USA

Flex Ltd. provides design, engineering, manufacturing and supply chain services and solutions to OEMs in Asia, the Americas and Europe. The company is headquartered in Singapore.

Visit Website →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?