MarketAxess (MKTX) vs Stifel Financial (SF)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
MarketAxess (MKTX) has outperformed Stifel Financial (SF) over the past year, losing 2.4% versus a loss of 5.8%. Over five years, SF leads with a +40.5% price change compared with -59.5% for MKTX. Stifel Financial is the larger company by market cap ($10.53 billion vs $5.78 billion), about 1.8 times the size.
On valuation, Stifel Financial trades at a lower forward P/E (9.6x vs 18.8x for MarketAxess). MarketAxess offers the higher dividend yield (1.88% vs 1.85%). MarketAxess converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 29.1% versus 10.8%.
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 | MKTX | SF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $164.17 | $69.71 |
| Market cap | $5.78B | $10.53B |
| 1-day change | +0.09% | -0.58% |
| YTD return | -9.42% | -16.49% |
| 1-year return | -2.36% | -5.79% |
| 5-year return | -59.54% | +40.53% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.41 | 12.45 |
| Forward P/E | 18.76 | 9.63 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.46 | $5.60 |
| Dividend yield | 1.88% | 1.85% |
| Annual dividend | $3.08 | $1.29 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $846.27M | $6.35B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.57% | +6.65% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $246.63M | $683.78M |
| Operating margin | 40.39% | — |
| Net margin | 29.14% | 10.77% |
| 52-week high | $195.97 | $89.83 |
| 52-week low | $108.75 | $67.81 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.23% | -22.39% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -3.76% | +22.29% |
| Average volume | 1.05M | 1.21M |
| Shares outstanding | 35.20M | 151.00M |
| Employees | 863 | 8,900 |
| 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
- MarketAxess trades at a higher earnings multiple (19.4x vs 12.4x trailing P/E).
- MarketAxess is more profitable, keeping 29.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 10.8 cents for Stifel Financial.
About MarketAxess
MKTX stock →MarketAxess Holdings Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates an electronic trading platform for institutional investor and broker-dealer firms in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers trading technology to access liquidity on its platforms in U.S.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 863 employees
About Stifel Financial
SF stock →Stifel Financial Corp. operates as the bank holding company for Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated that provides retail and institutional wealth management, and investment banking services to individual, corporations, municipalities, and institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 8,900 employees
MKTX vs SF FAQ
Which is bigger, MarketAxess or Stifel Financial?
Stifel Financial (SF) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.53B compared with $5.78B for MarketAxess (MKTX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MKTX or SF?
MKTX returned -2.36% over the past 12 months, compared with -5.79% for SF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MKTX or SF?
SF has the lower trailing P/E at 12.4, versus 19.4 for MKTX. 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, MarketAxess or Stifel Financial?
MarketAxess has the higher yield at 1.88%, compared with 1.85% for Stifel Financial.
Are MarketAxess and Stifel Financial in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service industry within the Finance sector.