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ICE vs NDAQ
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) vs. Nasdaq (NDAQ) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both ICE and NDAQ benefit from market volatility driving higher trading volumes, with ICE reporting record average daily volume (ADV) up 45% year-over-year in Q1 2026.
- NDAQ delivered a strong Q1 2026 earnings beat, with net revenue of $1.41 billion (up 14% YoY) and adjusted EPS of $0.96, alongside a dividend increase to $0.31 per share.
- ICE shares trade around $157 with a YTD return near flat to slightly positive, outperforming NDAQ's more volatile YTD performance amid broader stability.
- NDAQ shows stronger 12-month returns of approximately 21% compared to ICE's flat to negative performance, reflecting fintech growth momentum.
- Both stocks exhibit similar forward P/E ratios around 27x, indicating comparable valuations in the exchanges sector.
- Upcoming ICE Q1 earnings on April 30 could provide further catalysts, with expectations for EPS growth.
Introduction
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) and Nasdaq (NDAQ) are leading global exchange operators and financial data providers, making them natural comparables for investors tracking the infrastructure of modern markets. In the current environment of heightened volatility from geopolitical tensions and economic shifts, both stocks offer exposure to trading volumes, data analytics, and technology solutions. Traders seeking momentum plays may eye recent earnings beats, while long-term investors could prioritize stability and diversification. This comparison analyzes their business models, recent performance, and market positioning to aid informed decision-making in stock selection and portfolio allocation.
ICE Overview and Recent Performance
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) operates a diverse ecosystem including the New York Stock Exchange, derivatives exchanges, mortgage technology, and data services. In recent weeks, ICE reported record March and Q1 2026 trading statistics, with total ADV surging 45% year-over-year and energy ADV up 32%, fueled by market volatility and commodity demand. Shares have traded stably around $157, within a 52-week range of $143 to $189, reflecting resilience despite modest YTD gains near 2-3%. Sentiment remains positive ahead of Q1 earnings on April 30, with analysts forecasting EPS of about $1.98-$2.22 and revenue growth from higher volumes. Mortgage delinquency improvements and blockchain initiatives, like tokenized securities platforms, have bolstered investor confidence, offsetting broader sector pressures.
NDAQ Overview and Recent Performance
Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ) focuses on stock listings, trading technology, financial data, and growing fintech solutions, including AI and cloud services. Recent market activity saw NDAQ post robust Q1 2026 results on April 23, with net revenue of $1.41 billion (up 14% YoY) and adjusted EPS of $0.96, surpassing estimates amid strong financial technology segment growth. The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.31 per share, signaling capital return confidence. Shares hover near $90, in a 52-week range of $74 to $102, with one-month gains around 6-7% post-earnings but mixed YTD returns. Positive sentiment stems from AI-driven efficiencies and partnerships for tokenized trading, though volatility tied to listing activity influences price swings.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
ICE and NDAQ share core exchange operations but diverge in focus: ICE emphasizes diversified revenue from derivatives, energy markets, and mortgage tech (e.g., Black Knight integration), providing broader cyclical buffers, while NDAQ leans into high-growth fintech, data analytics, and listing services. Growth drivers contrast with NDAQ’s 14% Q1 revenue surge from AI solutions versus ICE’s volume-led gains. Recent momentum favors NDAQ’s post-earnings rally, but ICE exhibits superior stability (milder YTD drawdowns). Risk factors include volume sensitivity for both, though ICE’s mortgage exposure adds interest rate vulnerability. Sector overlap in financial data yields similar P/E multiples (~27x), but NDAQ garners stronger long-term sentiment from tech catalysts.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI models currently lean toward NDAQ for its consistent trend strength post-Q1 earnings beat, accelerating fintech growth, and superior 12-month relative performance. Factors like dividend hikes and AI efficiencies position it favorably amid volatility, though ICE’s record volumes offer close contention. This probabilistic edge reflects observable momentum over stability in the near term.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is ICE is a Buy and NDAQ is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
ICE’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileNDAQ’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- ICE’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- NDAQ’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
ICE’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NDAQ’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ICE’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
- NDAQ’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
ICE (@Financial Publishing/Services) experienced а -7.48% price change this week, while NDAQ (@Financial Publishing/Services) price change was -4.47% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Financial Publishing/Services industry was -2.26%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -8.38%, and the average quarterly price growth was -20.47%.
Reported Earning Dates
ICE is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
NDAQ is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Financial Publishing/Services (-2.26% weekly)The financial publishing /services sector includes companies that provide informational products and services that are of value to investors, financial/analytics professionals and other interested readers. The products include real-time stock quotes, financial news and analyses. Think S&P Global, Inc., Moody`s Corporation, Thomson-Reuters Corp and IHS Markit Ltd. Information is critical in making financial or investment decisions, and what makes this industry’s output relevant at all times, across various economic conditions.
| ICE | NDAQ | ICE / NDAQ | |
| Capitalization | 70B | 44.4B | 158% |
| EBITDA | 7.53B | 3.32B | 227% |
| Gain YTD | -22.992 | -18.572 | 124% |
| P/E Ratio | 19.12 | 24.88 | 77% |
| Revenue | 13.1B | 8.3B | 158% |
| Total Cash | N/A | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 21B | 9.45B | 222% |
ICE | NDAQ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 67 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 57 Fair valued | 68 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 80 | 43 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 62 | 53 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 65 | 63 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 92 | 85 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 75 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
ICE's Valuation (57) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is in the same range as NDAQ (68). This means that ICE’s stock grew similarly to NDAQ’s over the last 12 months.
NDAQ's Profit vs Risk Rating (43) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ICE (80). This means that NDAQ’s stock grew somewhat faster than ICE’s over the last 12 months.
NDAQ's SMR Rating (53) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is in the same range as ICE (62). This means that NDAQ’s stock grew similarly to ICE’s over the last 12 months.
NDAQ's Price Growth Rating (63) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is in the same range as ICE (65). This means that NDAQ’s stock grew similarly to ICE’s over the last 12 months.
NDAQ's P/E Growth Rating (85) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is in the same range as ICE (92). This means that NDAQ’s stock grew similarly to ICE’s over the last 12 months.
| ICE | NDAQ | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 58% | 3 days ago 55% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 51% | 3 days ago 62% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | N/A | 3 days ago 52% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 53% | 3 days ago 50% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 48% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 53% | 3 days ago 52% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 13 days ago 51% | 14 days ago 65% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 51% | 4 days ago 47% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 60% | 3 days ago 66% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 61% | 3 days ago 60% |
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ICE and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ICE has been loosely correlated with NDAQ. These tickers have moved in lockstep 62% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if ICE jumps, then NDAQ could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ICE | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICE | 100% | -0.51% | ||
| NDAQ - ICE | 62% Loosely correlated | +1.17% | ||
| MCO - ICE | 58% Loosely correlated | +2.54% | ||
| SPGI - ICE | 55% Loosely correlated | +3.30% | ||
| TW - ICE | 52% Loosely correlated | +2.21% | ||
| TRU - ICE | 47% Loosely correlated | +5.00% | ||
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NDAQ and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NDAQ has been closely correlated with JEF. These tickers have moved in lockstep 71% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if NDAQ jumps, then JEF could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To NDAQ | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDAQ | 100% | +1.17% | ||
| JEF - NDAQ | 71% Closely correlated | -6.72% | ||
| MS - NDAQ | 71% Closely correlated | -4.08% | ||
| GS - NDAQ | 70% Closely correlated | -4.27% | ||
| RJF - NDAQ | 69% Closely correlated | -0.39% | ||
| MCO - NDAQ | 68% Closely correlated | +2.54% | ||
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