CME Group Inc (CME)vsKLA Corporation (KLAC)
CME
CME Group Inc
$293.93
-2.89%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $105.67B
KLAC
KLA Corporation
$1,543.82
-1.43%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $205.79B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
KLA Corporation generates 96% more annual revenue ($12.74B vs $6.51B). CME leads profitability with a 62.6% profit margin vs 35.8%. KLAC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.66. KLAC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B).
CME
Buy63
out of 100
Grade: C+
KLAC
Strong Buy70
out of 100
Grade: B
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+43.8%
Fair Value
$522.76
Current Price
$293.93
$228.83 discount
Margin of Safety
+3.9%
Fair Value
$1605.71
Current Price
$1543.82
$61.89 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Keeps 63 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 63.8%
Large-cap with strong market position
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Earnings expanding 35.0% YoY
Generating 1.1B in free cash flow
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Every $100 of equity generates 101 in profit
Keeps 36 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 41.3%
Earnings expanding 40.9% YoY
Generating 1.3B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Moderate valuation
Weak financial health signals
Expensive relative to growth rate
Expensive relative to growth rate
Elevated debt levels
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Trading at 37.0x book value
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull 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 : KLAC
The strongest argument for KLAC centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 35.8% and operating margin at 41.3%.
Bear Case : CME
The primary concerns for CME are P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio.
Bear Case : KLAC
The primary concerns for KLAC are PEG Ratio, Debt/Equity, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 45.6x leaves little room for execution misses.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
KLAC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.45 — expect wider price swings.
CME is growing revenue faster at 8.0% — sustainability is the question.
KLAC generates stronger free cash flow (1.3B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor FINANCIAL DATA & STOCK EXCHANGES industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
KLAC scores higher overall (70/100 vs 63/100), backed by strong 35.8% 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.
Visit Website →KLA Corporation
TECHNOLOGY · SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS · USA
KLA Corporation is a capital equipment company based in Milpitas, California. It supplies process control and yield management systems for the semiconductor industry and other related nanoelectronics industries. The company's products and services are intended for all phases of wafer, reticle, integrated circuit (IC) and packaging production, from research and development to final volume manufacturing.
Visit Website →Compare with Other FINANCIAL DATA & STOCK EXCHANGES Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?