WallStSmart

CME Group Inc (CME)vsLowe's Companies Inc (LOW)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Lowe's Companies Inc generates 1226% more annual revenue ($86.29B vs $6.51B). CME leads profitability with a 62.6% profit margin vs 7.7%. LOW appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.40. 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

LOW

Hold

44

out of 100

Grade: D

Growth: 3.3Profit: 5.5Value: 7.3Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 2.16
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
LOWSignificantly Overvalued (-193.3%)

Margin of Safety

-193.3%

Fair Value

$80.51

Current Price

$236.18

$155.67 premium

UndervaluedFair: $80.51Overvalued

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

LOW2 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
Debt/EquityHealth
-4.3110/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Market CapQuality
$131.50B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

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

LOW4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.404/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Return on EquityProfitability
0.0%3/10

ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
7.7%3/10

7.7% margin — thin

EPS GrowthGrowth
-10.8%2/10

Earnings declined 10.8%

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 : LOW

The strongest argument for LOW centers on Debt/Equity, Market Cap. Revenue growth of 10.9% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : CME

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

Bear Case : LOW

The primary concerns for LOW are PEG Ratio, Return on Equity, Profit Margin.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

LOW carries more volatility with a beta of 0.94 — expect wider price swings.

LOW is growing revenue faster at 10.9% — 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 44/100), backed by strong 62.6% margins. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" 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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Lowe's Companies Inc

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAIL · USA

Lowe's Companies, Inc. is an American retail company specializing in home improvement. Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, the company operates a chain of retail stores in the United States and Canada.

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