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MCO vs SF
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Moody's Corporation (MCO) vs. Stifel Financial Corp. (SF) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Moody's Corporation (MCO) operates in credit ratings and analytics, while Stifel Financial Corp. (SF) focuses on investment banking, wealth management, and brokerage services.
- Both stocks have shown resilience amid broader market activity in recent weeks, supported by expectations of upcoming quarterly earnings releases scheduled around late July 2026.
- MCO has benefited from multiple analyst price target increases and new partnerships integrating risk data into AI workflows during recent market activity.
- SF reported record first-quarter 2026 results and noted continued growth in client assets and investment banking momentum through May 2026 operating data.
- Sector exposure differs notably, with MCO tied to fixed-income and corporate credit cycles and SF more directly linked to equity capital markets and advisory activity.
- Relative performance in recent weeks reflects contrasting drivers, with MCO drawing attention from ratings business strength and SF from asset gathering and banking revenue trends.
Introduction
Moody's Corporation (MCO) and Stifel Financial Corp. (SF) represent distinct segments within the financial services industry, making them relevant for comparison by institutional investors, active traders, and portfolio managers seeking exposure to credit analytics versus capital markets and wealth management. The comparison highlights differences in business models, recent momentum drivers, and market positioning amid evolving interest rate environments and corporate activity. Traders monitoring earnings seasons and sector rotations may find the relative performance and sentiment indicators useful for assessing diversification opportunities or tactical allocations in the current market environment.
MCO Overview and Recent Performance
Moody's Corporation (MCO) provides credit ratings, research, and risk analytics services to global markets. In recent weeks, the stock has traded near the upper end of its 52-week range, closing at approximately $510.86 on July 17, 2026. Sentiment has been supported by a series of analyst actions, including multiple price target raises and buy initiations or reaffirmations from firms such as Wells Fargo, Clear Street, Jefferies, Goldman Sachs, and Barclays. A partnership expansion with Intapp to integrate risk data into AI-driven workflows has also contributed to positive coverage. The company is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 22, 2026, with expectations for notable year-over-year EPS growth.
SF Overview and Recent Performance
Stifel Financial Corp. (SF) delivers investment banking, institutional brokerage, and wealth management services. Recent operating data through May 2026 showed year-over-year increases in total and fee-based client assets of 18% and 23%, respectively, driven by market appreciation and advisor recruiting. Loan balances rose modestly, while investment banking revenue momentum is projected to increase 25% to 30% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the prior-year period. The firm reported record first-quarter 2026 net revenues of $1.48 billion. Second-quarter 2026 results are anticipated around July 22, 2026. Stock performance in recent weeks has reflected these operational trends amid broader financial sector movements.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Business models present a clear contrast: Moody's Corporation (MCO) generates substantial recurring revenue from ratings and data subscriptions tied to debt issuance cycles, whereas Stifel Financial Corp. (SF) derives income from transaction-based investment banking fees and asset management. Growth drivers differ accordingly, with MCO influenced by bond market activity and regulatory demand for analytics, and SF positioned to benefit from equity underwriting and advisory mandates. Recent momentum favors MCO through concentrated analyst upgrades, while SF shows steady operational expansion in client assets. Risk factors include MCO’s sensitivity to credit spread volatility and SF’s exposure to market trading volumes and deal flow. Sector positioning places MCO more defensively within information services, contrasting with SF’s cyclical capital markets orientation. Overall market sentiment remains constructive for both amid earnings anticipation, though the pace of analyst attention has been more pronounced for MCO in recent activity.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency in analyst coverage, stability of core revenue streams, and near-term catalysts including earnings releases, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a modestly higher probabilistic preference to Moody's Corporation (MCO) over Stifel Financial Corp. (SF). MCO’s recent sequence of price target increases and AI-related partnership developments provide measurable sentiment support relative to SF’s solid but less highlighted operational updates. This assessment reflects current positioning rather than a guarantee of future outcomes.
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 disclaimer.
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 MCO is a StrongBuy and SF is a Buy.
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).
MCO’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileSF’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- MCO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- SF’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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.
MCO’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while SF’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- MCO’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- SF’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
MCO (@Financial Publishing/Services) experienced а -0.11% price change this week, while SF (@Investment Banks/Brokers) price change was -0.70% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Financial Publishing/Services industry was -1.87%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.80%, and the average quarterly price growth was +3.18%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Investment Banks/Brokers industry was +1.17%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -3.62%, and the average quarterly price growth was -4.41%.
Reported Earning Dates
MCO is expected to report earnings on Oct 27, 2026.
SF is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Financial Publishing/Services (-1.87% 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.
@Investment Banks/Brokers (+1.17% weekly)These banks specialize in underwriting (helping companies with debt financing or equity issuances), IPOs, facilitating mergers and other corporate reorganizations and acting as a broker or financial advisor for institutions. They might also trade securities on their own accounts. Investment banks potentially thrive on expanding its network of clients, since that could help them increase profits. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and CME Group Inc are some of the largest investment banking companies.
| MCO | SF | MCO / SF | |
| Capitalization | 83.7B | 12.7B | 659% |
| EBITDA | 4.36B | N/A | - |
| Gain YTD | -4.950 | 1.484 | -334% |
| P/E Ratio | 30.67 | 15.04 | 204% |
| Revenue | 8.16B | 5.69B | 143% |
| Total Cash | 1.5B | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 7.52B | 1.52B | 494% |
MCO | SF | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 62 | 44 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 84 Overvalued | 69 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 57 | 45 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 15 | 22 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 54 | 44 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 83 | 84 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 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.
SF's Valuation (69) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is in the same range as MCO (84) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry. This means that SF’s stock grew similarly to MCO’s over the last 12 months.
SF's Profit vs Risk Rating (45) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is in the same range as MCO (57) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry. This means that SF’s stock grew similarly to MCO’s over the last 12 months.
MCO's SMR Rating (15) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry is in the same range as SF (22) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry. This means that MCO’s stock grew similarly to SF’s over the last 12 months.
SF's Price Growth Rating (44) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is in the same range as MCO (54) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry. This means that SF’s stock grew similarly to MCO’s over the last 12 months.
MCO's P/E Growth Rating (83) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry is in the same range as SF (84) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry. This means that MCO’s stock grew similarly to SF’s over the last 12 months.
| MCO | SF | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 68% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 72% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 47% | 2 days ago 60% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 68% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 20 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 67% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 51% | 19 days ago 62% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 48% | 2 days ago 51% |
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MCO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MCO has been closely correlated with SPGI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 88% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if MCO jumps, then SPGI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MCO | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCO | 100% | +1.04% | ||
| SPGI - MCO | 88% Closely correlated | +1.05% | ||
| MSCI - MCO | 70% Closely correlated | +0.38% | ||
| JEF - MCO | 66% Closely correlated | +2.00% | ||
| NDAQ - MCO | 66% Closely correlated | -0.05% | ||
| SF - MCO | 66% Loosely correlated | +0.80% | ||
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