WallStSmart

CME Group Inc (CME)vsVerizon Communications Inc (VZ)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Verizon Communications Inc generates 2024% more annual revenue ($138.19B vs $6.51B). CME leads profitability with a 62.6% profit margin vs 12.4%. VZ appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.23. 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

VZ

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 5.3Profit: 7.0Value: 7.3Quality: 3.8
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 1.11
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
VZSignificantly Overvalued (-82.4%)

Margin of Safety

-82.4%

Fair Value

$27.61

Current Price

$50.37

$22.76 premium

UndervaluedFair: $27.61Overvalued

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

VZ5 strengths · Avg: 8.4/10
Market CapQuality
$214.72B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

P/E RatioValuation
12.5x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
2.0x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
21.0%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 21.0%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$4.37B8/10

Generating 4.4B 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

VZ4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
2.0%4/10

2.0% revenue growth

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

EPS GrowthGrowth
-53.3%2/10

Earnings declined 53.3%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.112/10

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 : VZ

The strongest argument for VZ centers on Market Cap, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. PEG of 1.23 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 : VZ

The primary concerns for VZ are Revenue Growth, Piotroski F-Score, EPS Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

VZ carries more volatility with a beta of 0.28 — expect wider price swings.

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

VZ generates stronger free cash flow (4.4B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

CME scores higher overall (63/100 vs 62/100), 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.

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Verizon Communications Inc

COMMUNICATION SERVICES · TELECOM SERVICES · USA

Verizon Communications Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications conglomerate and a corporate component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is headquartered at 1095 Avenue of the Americas in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, but is incorporated in Delaware.

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