STC vs ICE vs CME vs FAF

For growth investors, First American Financial Corporation (FAF) is the stronger pick with 21.

6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 4% for CME Group Inc. (CME). First American Financial Corporation (FAF) offers the better valuation at 11. 6x trailing P/E (10. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Stewart Information Services Corporation (STC) a "Buy" — based on 8 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.

On trailing P/E, First American Financial Corporation (FAF) is the cheapest at 11.

6x versus Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. at 27. 1x. On forward P/E, First American Financial Corporation is actually cheaper at 10. 9x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: CME Group Inc. wins at 1. 71x versus Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. 's 2. 19x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, CME Group Inc.

(CME) delivered a total return of +64. 5%, compared to +20. 7% for First American Financial Corporation (FAF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CME returned +284. 9% versus STC's +133. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CME Group Inc.

(CME) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 30β versus Stewart Information Services Corporation's 0. 78β — meaning STC is approximately -357% more volatile than CME relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CME Group Inc. (CME) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 13% versus 70% for Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), First American Financial Corporation (FAF) is pulling ahead at 21.

6% versus 6. 4% for CME Group Inc. (CME). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: First American Financial Corporation grew EPS 376. 2% year-over-year, compared to 15. 4% for CME Group Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FAF leads at -0. 7% annualised revenue growth. 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.

CME Group Inc.

(CME) is the more profitable company, earning 62. 0% net margin versus 4. 0% for Stewart Information Services Corporation — meaning it keeps 62. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CME leads at 64. 9% versus 5. 7% for STC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FAF leads at 95. 6%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, CME Group Inc. (CME) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 71x versus Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. 's 2. 19x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, First American Financial Corporation (FAF) trades at 10. 9x forward P/E versus 23. 5x for CME Group Inc. — 12. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ICE: 25. 3% to $195. 71.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

CME Group Inc. (CME) offers the highest yield at 3. 8%, versus 1. 2% for Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE).

For long-horizon retirement investors, CME Group Inc.

(CME) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 30), 3. 8% yield, +284. 9% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CME: +284. 9%, STC: +133. 4%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: STC is a small-cap high-growth stock; ICE is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; CME is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; FAF is a small-cap high-growth stock. 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.