Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) vs LPL Financial (LPLA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
LPL Financial (LPLA) has outperformed Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) over the past year, gaining 2.4% versus a loss of 5.8%. Over five years, LPLA leads with a +88.3% price change compared with +17.9% for ICE. Intercontinental Exchange is the larger company by market cap ($85.66 billion vs $25.58 billion), about 3.3 times the size, while LPL Financial is growing revenue faster (+37.2% vs +7.5%).
On valuation, LPL Financial trades at a lower forward P/E (10.8x vs 17.3x for Intercontinental Exchange). Intercontinental Exchange offers the higher dividend yield (1.31% vs 0.37%). Intercontinental Exchange converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 26.2% versus 5.1%.
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 | ICE | LPLA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $152.59 | $324.80 |
| Market cap | $85.66B | $25.58B |
| 1-day change | -0.59% | -2.28% |
| YTD return | -5.79% | -9.06% |
| 1-year return | -5.80% | +2.36% |
| 5-year return | +17.93% | +88.29% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 21.64 | 25.84 |
| Forward P/E | 17.27 | 10.82 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.05 | $12.57 |
| Dividend yield | 1.31% | 0.37% |
| Annual dividend | $2.00 | $1.20 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.64B | $16.99B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +7.47% | +37.18% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $3.31B | $863.02M |
| Operating margin | 39.00% | — |
| Net margin | 26.23% | 5.08% |
| 52-week high | $176.05 | $400.16 |
| 52-week low | $121.79 | $260.15 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -13.33% | -18.83% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.55% | +30.35% |
| Average volume | 3.45M | 723.39K |
| Shares outstanding | 561.39M | 78.74M |
| Employees | 12,725 | 10,081 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service | 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 3.3 times larger than LPL Financial by market value ($85.66B vs $25.58B).
- Intercontinental Exchange is more profitable, keeping 26.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.1 cents for LPL Financial.
- LPL Financial grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+37.18% vs +7.47%).
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
About LPL Financial
LPLA stock →LPL Financial Holdings Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides an integrated platform of brokerage and investment advisory services to independent financial advisors and financial advisors at institutions in the United States. The company's brokerage offerings include variable and fixed annuities, mutual funds, equities, fixed income, alternative investments, retirement and 529 education savings plans, and insurance; and client cash programs consist of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insured bank sweep vehicles, and a client cash and money market account.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 10,081 employees
ICE vs LPLA FAQ
Which is bigger, Intercontinental Exchange or LPL Financial?
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $85.66B compared with $25.58B for LPL Financial (LPLA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ICE or LPLA?
LPLA returned +2.36% 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, ICE or LPLA?
ICE has the lower trailing P/E at 21.6, versus 25.8 for LPLA. 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, Intercontinental Exchange or LPL Financial?
Intercontinental Exchange has the higher yield at 1.31%, compared with 0.37% for LPL Financial.
Are Intercontinental Exchange and LPL Financial in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service industry within the Finance sector.