MetaCap

Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) vs Charles Schwab (SCHW)

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

Summary

Charles Schwab (SCHW) has outperformed Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) over the past year, gaining 1.7% versus a loss of 5.8%. Over five years, SCHW leads with a +18.1% price change compared with +17.9% for ICE. Charles Schwab is the larger company by market cap ($167.57 billion vs $87.15 billion), about 1.9 times the size.

On valuation, Charles Schwab trades at a lower forward P/E (12.3x vs 17.6x for Intercontinental Exchange). Intercontinental Exchange offers the higher dividend yield (1.29% vs 1.22%). Charles Schwab converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 37.0% versus 26.2%.

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

Relative performance

ICE-5.80%SCHW+1.67%
+23%-2%-26%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
ICE+19.12%SCHW+23.58%
+50%+4%-41%
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 SCHW key metrics
MetricICESCHW
Share price$155.25$96.90
Market cap$87.15B$167.57B
1-day change+1.74%+1.38%
YTD return-5.79%-4.33%
1-year return-5.80%+1.67%
5-year return+17.93%+18.15%
P/E ratio (TTM)21.9017.65
Forward P/E17.5712.27
EPS (TTM)$7.09$5.49
Dividend yield1.29%1.22%
Annual dividend$2.00$1.18
Revenue (latest FY)$12.64B$23.92B
Revenue growth (YoY)+7.47%+22.01%
Net income (latest FY)$3.31B$8.85B
Operating margin39.00%—
Net margin26.23%37.01%
52-week high$176.05$114.53
52-week low$121.79$83.96
Distance from 52-week high-11.82%-15.39%
Analyst consensusbuybuy
Avg. price target upside+19.47%+26.40%
Average volume3.40M7.95M
Shares outstanding561.39M1.73B
Employees12,72533,700
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

  • Charles Schwab is more profitable, keeping 37.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 26.2 cents for Intercontinental Exchange.
  • Charles Schwab grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+22.01% 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 Charles Schwab

SCHW stock →

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 33,700 employees

ICE vs SCHW FAQ

Which is bigger, Intercontinental Exchange or Charles Schwab?

Charles Schwab (SCHW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $167.57B compared with $87.15B for Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).

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

SCHW returned +1.67% 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 SCHW?

SCHW has the lower trailing P/E at 17.6, 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 Charles Schwab?

Intercontinental Exchange has the higher yield at 1.29%, compared with 1.22% for Charles Schwab.

Are Intercontinental Exchange and Charles Schwab in the same industry?

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

More comparisons