Head-To-Head Comparison: Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) vs. National (NHLD)

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE) and National (NASDAQ:NHLD) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation and institutional ownership.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Intercontinental Exchange and National, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Intercontinental Exchange currently has a consensus price target of $83.66, indicating a potential upside of 7.93%. Given Intercontinental Exchange’s higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Intercontinental Exchange is more favorable than National.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

89.0% of Intercontinental Exchange shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 13.7% of National shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.5% of Intercontinental Exchange shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 9.2% of National shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Intercontinental Exchange pays an annual dividend of $0.96 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.2%. National does not pay a dividend. Intercontinental Exchange pays out 32.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Intercontinental Exchange has increased its dividend for 5 consecutive years.

Profitability

This table compares Intercontinental Exchange and National’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Risk and Volatility

Intercontinental Exchange has a beta of 0.48, meaning that its stock price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, National has a beta of 0.75, meaning that its stock price is 25% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Intercontinental Exchange and National’s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Intercontinental Exchange has higher revenue and earnings than National.

Summary

Intercontinental Exchange beats National on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Intercontinental Exchange

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. operates regulated exchanges, clearing houses, and listings venues for financial and commodity markets in the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Asia, Israel, and Canada. It operates through two segments, Trading and Clearing; and Data and Listings. The company operates marketplaces for listing, trading, and clearing an array of derivatives and securities contracts across various asset classes, including energy and agricultural commodities, interest rates, equities, equity and credit derivatives, exchange traded funds, bonds, and currencies. It also offers end-to-end data services and solutions to support the trading, investment, risk management, and connectivity needs of customers across major asset classes. The company operates exchanges and marketplaces, such as ICE Futures Europe, ICE Futures U.S., ICE Futures Canada, ICE Endex, ICE Futures Singapore, NYSE America Options, and NYSE Arca Options, as well as over-the-counter markets for physical energy and credit default swaps, and central counterparty clearing houses. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

About National

National Holdings Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides financial services in the United States. It operates through two segments, Brokerage and Advisory Services, and Tax Preparation and Accounting Services. The company offers retail brokerage services include execution of purchases and sale of stocks, options, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, and various other securities; and investment advisory services for individual, corporate, and institutional clients. It also provides investment banking services, such as underwriting the sale of securities to the public in initial and follow-on offering, and arranging for the private placement of securities with investors; and financial and corporate advisory services comprising mergers and acquisitions, project financing, capital structure, and specific financing opportunities to micro, small, and mid-cap high growth companies. In addition, the company trades in securities, including making markets in micro and small-cap, Nasdaq, and other exchange listed stocks. Further, it provides asset management advisory services to retail clients; fixed insurance products, including life insurance, disability insurance, long-term care insurance, and fixed annuities; and tax preparation services to individuals, primarily in the middle and upper income tax brackets, as well as accounting services to small and midsize companies. Additionally, the company offers licensed mortgage brokerage services; and investment products and services, which comprise stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, insurance, and managed money accounts. The company was formerly known as Olympic Cascade Financial Corporation and changed its name to National Holdings Corporation in March 2006. The company was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

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