FactSet Research Systems (FDS) vs Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
FactSet Research Systems (FDS) has outperformed Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) over the past year, losing 1.5% versus a loss of 5.8%. Over five years, ICE leads with a +17.9% price change compared with -33.5% for FDS. Intercontinental Exchange is the larger company by market cap ($85.66 billion vs $9.70 billion), about 8.8 times the size.
On valuation, FactSet Research Systems trades at a lower forward P/E (12.6x vs 17.3x for Intercontinental Exchange). Intercontinental Exchange pays a dividend yielding 1.31%, while FactSet Research Systems does not currently pay one. Intercontinental Exchange converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 26.2% versus 25.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | FDS | ICE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $272.78 | $152.59 |
| Market cap | $9.70B | $85.66B |
| 1-day change | +0.28% | -0.59% |
| YTD return | -6.00% | -5.79% |
| 1-year return | -1.50% | -5.80% |
| 5-year return | -33.48% | +17.93% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.72 | 21.52 |
| Forward P/E | 12.56 | 17.27 |
| EPS (TTM) | $14.57 | $7.09 |
| Dividend yield | 1.71% | 1.31% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.32B | $12.64B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.39% | +7.47% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $597.04M | $3.31B |
| Gross margin | 52.72% | — |
| Operating margin | 32.23% | 39.00% |
| Net margin | 25.72% | 26.23% |
| 52-week high | $320.48 | $176.05 |
| 52-week low | $185.00 | $121.79 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.88% | -13.33% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +1.75% | +21.55% |
| Average volume | 868.78K | 3.45M |
| Shares outstanding | 35.57M | 561.39M |
| Employees | — | 12,725 |
| Sector | Technology | Finance |
| Industry | Computer Software: Programming Data Processing | Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Intercontinental Exchange is about 8.8 times larger than FactSet Research Systems by market value ($85.66B vs $9.70B).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: FactSet Research Systems in Technology and Intercontinental Exchange in Finance.
About FactSet Research Systems
FDS stock →FactSet Research Systems Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a financial digital platform and enterprise solutions provider for the investment community. It offers data, products, and analytical applications; and workstations, portfolio analytics, and enterprise data solutions, as well as managed services for supporting data, performance, risk, and reporting workflows.
Technology · Computer Software: Programming Data Processing
About Intercontinental Exchange
ICE stock →Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides technology and data to financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. It operates through three segments: Exchanges, Fixed Income and Data Services, and Mortgage Technology.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 12,725 employees
FDS vs ICE FAQ
Which is bigger, FactSet Research Systems or Intercontinental Exchange?
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $85.66B compared with $9.70B for FactSet Research Systems (FDS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FDS or ICE?
FDS returned -1.50% over the past 12 months, compared with -5.80% for ICE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FDS or ICE?
FDS has the lower trailing P/E at 18.7, versus 21.5 for ICE. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, FactSet Research Systems or Intercontinental Exchange?
FactSet Research Systems has the higher yield at 1.71%, compared with 1.31% for Intercontinental Exchange.
Are FactSet Research Systems and Intercontinental Exchange in the same industry?
No. FactSet Research Systems is in the Technology sector, while Intercontinental Exchange is in Finance.