MarketAxess (MKTX) vs Virtu Financial (VIRT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Virtu Financial (VIRT) has outperformed MarketAxess (MKTX) over the past year, gaining 81.6% versus a loss of 2.4%. Over five years, VIRT leads with a +133.2% price change compared with -59.5% for MKTX. MarketAxess is the larger company by market cap ($5.79 billion vs $5.14 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Virtu Financial is growing revenue faster (+26.2% vs +3.6%).
On valuation, Virtu Financial trades at a lower forward P/E (8.2x vs 18.8x for MarketAxess). MarketAxess offers the higher dividend yield (1.87% vs 1.65%). MarketAxess converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 29.1% versus 12.9%.
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 | VIRT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $164.44 | $58.24 |
| Market cap | $5.79B | $5.14B |
| 1-day change | +0.16% | -0.97% |
| YTD return | -9.42% | +76.50% |
| 1-year return | -2.36% | +81.62% |
| 5-year return | -59.54% | +133.19% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.44 | 9.67 |
| Forward P/E | 18.79 | 8.18 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.46 | $6.02 |
| Dividend yield | 1.87% | 1.65% |
| Annual dividend | $3.08 | $0.96 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $846.27M | $3.63B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.57% | +26.25% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $246.63M | $468.36M |
| Operating margin | 40.39% | — |
| Net margin | 29.14% | 12.89% |
| 52-week high | $195.97 | $68.76 |
| 52-week low | $108.75 | $31.55 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.09% | -15.30% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -3.92% | +19.45% |
| Average volume | 1.05M | 1.32M |
| Shares outstanding | 35.20M | 88.30M |
| Employees | 863 | 1,027 |
| 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
- VIRT has outperformed MKTX by 84.0 percentage points over the past year.
- MarketAxess trades at a higher earnings multiple (19.4x vs 9.7x trailing P/E).
- MarketAxess is more profitable, keeping 29.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.9 cents for Virtu Financial.
- Virtu Financial grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+26.25% vs +3.57%).
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 Virtu Financial
VIRT stock →Virtu Financial, Inc. operates as a financial services company in the United States, Ireland, and internationally.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 1,027 employees
MKTX vs VIRT FAQ
Which is bigger, MarketAxess or Virtu Financial?
MarketAxess (MKTX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.79B compared with $5.14B for Virtu Financial (VIRT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MKTX or VIRT?
VIRT returned +81.62% over the past 12 months, compared with -2.36% for MKTX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MKTX or VIRT?
VIRT has the lower trailing P/E at 9.7, 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 Virtu Financial?
MarketAxess has the higher yield at 1.87%, compared with 1.65% for Virtu Financial.
Are MarketAxess and Virtu Financial in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service industry within the Finance sector.