NIQ
NIQ Global Intelligence Plc
Information Technology Services
Market Cap$2.44B
5Y Perf.-55.2%
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Side-by-side financial analysisNIQ
ICE
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Stock Comparison
NIQ vs ICE
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
ICE
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges
Market Cap$79.60B
5Y Perf.-24.0%
NIQ vs ICE — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot |  NIQ |  ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Information Technology Services | Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges |
| Market Cap | $2.44B | $79.60B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $4.31B | $12.64B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-335M | $3.30B |
| Gross Margin | 52.2% | 61.9% |
| Operating Margin | 4.3% | 38.7% |
| Forward P/E | 8.5x | 17.3x |
| Total Debt | $3.87B | $20.28B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $519M | $837M |
NIQ vs ICE — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
NIQ
ICE
| Stock | Jul 25 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIQ Global Intellig… (NIQ) | 100 | 44.8 | -55.2% |
| Intercontinental Ex… (ICE) | 100 | 76.0 | -24.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NIQ vs ICE
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ICE leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. NIQ Global Intelligence Plc is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
🥇ICE emerged as the overall leader. Track its performance:
NIQ
NIQ Global Intelligence Plc
The Value Play
NIQ is the clearest fit if your priority is value.
- Lower P/E (8.5x vs 17.3x)
Best for: value
ICE
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
The Banking Pick
ICE carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 13 yrs, beta 0.35, yield 1.4%
- Rev growth 7.5%, EPS growth 20.7%
- 195.3% 10Y total return vs NIQ's -56.5%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth |  ICE | 7.5% NII/revenue growth vs NIQ's 5.7% |
| Value |  NIQ | Lower P/E (8.5x vs 17.3x) |
| Quality / Margins | ICE | 26.1% margin vs NIQ's -7.8% |
| Stability / Safety | ICE | Beta 0.35 vs NIQ's 0.85, lower leverage |
| Dividends | ICE | 1.4% yield; 13-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | ICE | -20.4% vs NIQ's -56.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ICE | 2.3% ROA vs NIQ's -4.9%, ROIC 7.5% vs 2.3% |
NIQ vs ICE — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
NIQ vs ICE — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLICELAGGINGNIQ
NIQNIQ Global Intelligen…
1leads
ICEIntercontinental Exch…
5leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs NIQMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ICE4/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
NIQ5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
ICE7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
ICE6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
ICE2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
ICE1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ICE leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ICE is the larger business by revenue, generating $12.6B annually — 2.9x NIQ's $4.3B. ICE is the more profitable business, keeping 26.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to NIQ's -7.8%.
| Metric | NIQNIQ Global Intell… | ICEIntercontinental … |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $4.3B | $12.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $825M | $6.5B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$335M | $3.3B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $115M | $4.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +52.2% | +61.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +4.3% | +38.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -7.8% | +26.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +2.7% | +33.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +11.1% | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +36.7% | +23.1% |
ICE leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
NIQ leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, NIQ's 7.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ICE's 15.3x.
| Metric | NIQNIQ Global Intell… | ICEIntercontinental … |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.4B | $79.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $5.8B | $99.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -6.27x | 24.36x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 8.48x | 17.34x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.74x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.49x | 15.34x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.58x | 6.30x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.80x | 2.77x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 102.12x | 18.56x |
NIQ leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ICE leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ICE delivers a 11.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $12 in annual profit, vs $-42 for NIQ. ICE carries lower financial leverage with a 0.70x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to NIQ's 3.16x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ICE scores 9/9 vs NIQ's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | NIQNIQ Global Intell… | ICEIntercontinental … |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -41.9% | +11.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -4.9% | +2.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +2.3% | +7.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.7% | +9.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 9 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 3.16x | 0.70x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.4B | $19.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $519M | $837M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.9B | $20.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.59x | 6.53x |
ICE leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ICE leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ICE five years ago would be worth $13,085 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,350 for NIQ. Over the past 12 months, ICE leads with a -20.4% total return vs NIQ's -56.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ICE at 10.4% vs NIQ's -24.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | NIQNIQ Global Intell… | ICEIntercontinental … |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -47.6% | -11.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -56.5% | -20.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -56.5% | +34.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -56.5% | +30.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -56.5% | +195.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -24.2% | +10.4% |
ICE leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ICE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ICE is the less volatile stock with a 0.35 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NIQ's 0.85 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ICE currently trades 74.2% from its 52-week high vs NIQ's 40.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | NIQNIQ Global Intell… | ICEIntercontinental … |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.85x | 0.35x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $20.39 | $189.35 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.93 | $136.67 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +40.6% | +74.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 37.4 | 31.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.4M | 3.2M |
ICE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
ICE leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates NIQ as "Buy" and ICE as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 74.1% upside for NIQ (target: $14) vs 38.0% for ICE (target: $194). ICE is the only dividend payer here at 1.38% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | NIQNIQ Global Intell… | ICEIntercontinental … |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $14.40 | $194.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 7 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 13 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $1.93 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.7% |
ICE leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
ICE leads in 5 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). NIQ leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
Best OverallIntercontinental Exchange, … (ICE)Leads 5 of 6 categories
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NIQ vs ICE: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NIQ or ICE a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
(ICE) is the stronger pick with 7. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 7% for NIQ Global Intelligence Plc (NIQ). Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE) offers the better valuation at 24. 4x trailing P/E (17. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate NIQ Global Intelligence Plc (NIQ) a "Buy" — based on 7 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — NIQ or ICE?
On forward P/E, NIQ Global Intelligence Plc is actually cheaper at 8.
5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — NIQ or ICE?
Over the past 5 years, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
(ICE) delivered a total return of +30. 9%, compared to -56. 5% for NIQ Global Intelligence Plc (NIQ). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ICE returned +195. 3% versus NIQ's -56. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — NIQ or ICE?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
(ICE) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 35β versus NIQ Global Intelligence Plc's 0. 85β — meaning NIQ is approximately 141% more volatile than ICE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 70% versus 3% for NIQ Global Intelligence Plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — NIQ or ICE?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
(ICE) is pulling ahead at 7. 5% versus 5. 7% for NIQ Global Intelligence Plc (NIQ). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: NIQ Global Intelligence Plc grew EPS 60. 1% year-over-year, compared to 20. 7% for Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — NIQ or ICE?
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
(ICE) is the more profitable company, earning 26. 1% net margin versus -8. 4% for NIQ Global Intelligence Plc — meaning it keeps 26. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ICE leads at 38. 7% versus 3. 4% for NIQ. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ICE leads at 61. 9%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is NIQ or ICE more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, NIQ Global Intelligence Plc (NIQ) trades at 8.
5x forward P/E versus 17. 3x for Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. — 8. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NIQ: 74. 1% to $14. 40.
08Which pays a better dividend — NIQ or ICE?
In this comparison, ICE (1.
4% yield) pays a dividend. NIQ does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is NIQ or ICE better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
(ICE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 35), 1. 4% yield, +195. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ICE: +195. 3%, NIQ: -56. 5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between NIQ and ICE?
These companies operate in different sectors (NIQ (Technology) and ICE (Financial Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
ICE pays a dividend while NIQ does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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