MetaCap

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) vs Morgan Stanley (MS)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

Morgan Stanley (MS) has outperformed Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) over the past year, gaining 21.6% versus a loss of 5.8%. Over five years, MS leads with a +85.7% price change compared with +17.9% for ICE. Morgan Stanley is the larger company by market cap ($294.39 billion vs $87.21 billion), about 3.4 times the size.

On valuation, Morgan Stanley trades at a lower forward P/E (13.8x vs 17.6x for Intercontinental Exchange). Morgan Stanley offers the higher dividend yield (2.21% vs 1.29%). Intercontinental Exchange converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 26.2% versus 23.9%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

ICE-5.80%MS+21.63%
+50%+11%-28%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
ICE+19.12%MS+89.63%
+131%+47%-37%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

ICE versus MS key metrics
MetricICEMS
Share price$155.35$187.44
Market cap$87.21B$294.39B
1-day change+1.81%-1.20%
YTD return-5.79%+6.86%
1-year return-5.80%+21.63%
5-year return+17.93%+85.74%
P/E ratio (TTM)21.9115.14
Forward P/E17.5813.79
EPS (TTM)$7.09$12.38
Dividend yield1.29%2.21%
Annual dividend$2.00$4.15
Revenue (latest FY)$12.64B$70.64B
Revenue growth (YoY)+7.47%+14.38%
Net income (latest FY)$3.31B$16.86B
Operating margin39.00%—
Net margin26.23%23.87%
52-week high$176.05$232.25
52-week low$121.79$151.84
Distance from 52-week high-11.76%-19.29%
Analyst consensusbuybuy
Avg. price target upside+19.39%+19.76%
Average volume3.40M5.15M
Shares outstanding561.39M1.57B
Employees12,72583,000
SectorFinanceFinance
IndustryInvestment Bankers/Brokers/ServiceInvestment 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

  • Morgan Stanley is about 3.4 times larger than Intercontinental Exchange by market value ($294.39B vs $87.21B).
  • MS has outperformed ICE by 27.4 percentage points over the past year.
  • Intercontinental Exchange trades at a higher earnings multiple (21.9x vs 15.1x trailing P/E).
  • Morgan Stanley grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+14.38% 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 Morgan Stanley

MS stock →

Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments.

Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 83,000 employees

ICE vs MS FAQ

Which is bigger, Intercontinental Exchange or Morgan Stanley?

Morgan Stanley (MS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $294.39B compared with $87.21B for Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, ICE or MS?

MS returned +21.63% 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 MS?

MS has the lower trailing P/E at 15.1, versus 21.9 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, Intercontinental Exchange or Morgan Stanley?

Morgan Stanley has the higher yield at 2.21%, compared with 1.29% for Intercontinental Exchange.

Are Intercontinental Exchange and Morgan Stanley in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service industry within the Finance sector.

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