Intercontinental Exchange vs Moody's (ICE vs MCO)
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) vs Moody's (MCO) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) and Moody's (MCO) compete in financial services and payments. Here are Intercontinental Exchange and Moody's side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Intercontinental Exchange or Moody's.
Intercontinental Exchange vs Moody's: the figures
| Figure | Intercontinental Exchange | Moody's |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $174.92 (November 4, 2026) | $528.34 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $97.8 billion | $91.1 billion |
| P/E (TTM) | 23.8x | 32.4x |
| Forward P/E | 19.6x | 28.3x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +14.7% | +0.8% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 38.1% | 35.3% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 3.3x | 1.5x |
| Dividend yield | 1.22% | 0.82% |
| Beta | 0.84 | 1.30 |
Intercontinental Exchange and Moody's figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Intercontinental Exchange or Moody's figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Intercontinental Exchange and Moody's
- Growth: Intercontinental Exchange grew sales +14.7% year on year in its latest quarter, against +0.8% for Moody's.
- Valuation: Moody's trades at 32.4x its annual earnings and Intercontinental Exchange at 23.8x; the market pays more for each dollar of Moody's profit, usually because it expects more growth.
- Debt: Intercontinental Exchange owes 3.3x its annual operating profit (EBITDA), while Moody's owes 1.5x its EBITDA.
Intercontinental Exchange or Moody's: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Intercontinental Exchange is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): Intercontinental Exchange pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Moody's has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Intercontinental Exchange trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither Intercontinental Exchange nor Moody's wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How Intercontinental Exchange and Moody's make money
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)
Intercontinental Exchange owns the New York Stock Exchange and energy futures markets including Brent crude. Its segments are Exchanges, the largest, Fixed Income and Data Services, which sells bond data and indexes, and Mortgage Technology, a mortgage software business expanded through its purchase of Black Knight. Full Intercontinental Exchange analysis.
Moody's (MCO)
Moody's has two segments. Moody's Investors Service charges bond issuers to rate their debt, while Moody's Analytics sells data, software and risk analysis on subscription to banks, insurers and corporations. The two contribute broadly similar shares of revenue, with the United States and Europe as the biggest markets. Full Moody's analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Intercontinental Exchange vs Moody's
Is Intercontinental Exchange or Moody's the better stock?
Choosing between Intercontinental Exchange and Moody's depends on what you are looking for. Intercontinental Exchange is growing faster right now, and Intercontinental Exchange trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Intercontinental Exchange or Moody's: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Intercontinental Exchange or Moody's?
As of November 4, 2026, Intercontinental Exchange yields 1.22% and Moody's yields 0.82%. Also check how much of their profit Intercontinental Exchange and Moody's pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, Intercontinental Exchange or Moody's?
On P/E, Moody's (32.4x) is more expensive than Intercontinental Exchange (23.8x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both Intercontinental Exchange and Moody's?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Intercontinental Exchange and Moody's, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Intercontinental Exchange or Moody's.
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More companies like Intercontinental Exchange and Moody's: financial services and payments stocks. Educational content about Intercontinental Exchange and Moody's, not investment advice.