WallStSmart

CME Group Inc (CME)vsMorningstar Inc (MORN)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

CME Group Inc generates 169% more annual revenue ($6.74B vs $2.51B). CME leads profitability with a 63.3% profit margin vs 16.1%. MORN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.31. MORN earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 67/100 (B-).

CME

Buy

65

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.7Profit: 8.0Value: 4.3Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 0.30

MORN

Strong Buy

67

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 8.5Value: 5.7Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.34

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

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
$90.52B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Debt/EquityHealth
0.139/10

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

MORN4 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Return on EquityProfitability
39.5%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 40 in profit

EPS GrowthGrowth
50.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 50.0% YoY

P/E RatioValuation
17.9x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Operating MarginProfitability
24.2%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 24.2%

Areas to Watch

CME3 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
4.522/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.302/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

MORN2 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.314/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Debt/EquityHealth
1.873/10

Elevated debt levels

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 63.3% and operating margin at 69.8%. Revenue growth of 14.4% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : MORN

The strongest argument for MORN centers on Return on Equity, EPS Growth, P/E Ratio. Profitability is solid with margins at 16.1% and operating margin at 24.2%. Revenue growth of 10.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : CME

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

Bear Case : MORN

The primary concerns for MORN are PEG Ratio, Debt/Equity. Debt-to-equity of 1.87 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

MORN carries more volatility with a beta of 0.99 — expect wider price swings.

CME is growing revenue faster at 14.4% — sustainability is the question.

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

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

Bottom Line

MORN scores higher overall (67/100 vs 65/100), backed by strong 16.1% margins and 10.8% revenue growth. 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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Morningstar Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · FINANCIAL DATA & STOCK EXCHANGES · USA

Morningstar, Inc. offers independent investment research services in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

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