KKR vs CME Group

This page compares KKR & Co. L.P. and CME Group Inc., examining their business models, financial performance, and market context for stock market participants. The content is designed to be neutral, accessible, and informative. Educational content, not financial advice.

This page compares KKR & Co. L.P. and CME Group Inc., examining their business models, financial performance, and market context for stock market participants. The content is designed to be neutral, a...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

KKR

Metric

CME

$105.76B

Market Cap

$102.43B

37.55%

Potential Profit

-0.06%

Buy

Analyst Rating

Hold

Why It's Moving

KKR gears up for Q4 earnings amid fresh dealmaking spree and bullish 2026 outlook.

KKR-led consortium ramped up investment in Sylvan on January 20, highlighting sustained appetite for targeted buyouts.
KKR boosted its ownership in Altavair on January 19, strengthening its real assets portfolio amid rising demand.
Firm's 2026 Outlook stresses portfolio adaptation to a shifting macro environment, with supportive backdrops for private markets.

Sentiment:

⚖️Neutral

CME Group hits record natural gas trading volumes amid winter storm surge.

Natural gas complex volume soared 15% above the 2018 record to 2.576M contracts, with Henry Hub options jumping 28% to a new high of 811K.
Winter storm concerns propelled futures to three-year highs, boosting client hedging in deep liquidity markets, per CME's Global Head of Energy.
Upcoming product expansions, like a new market data multicast for equity indices and variable tick upgrades starting January 26, signal ongoing platform enhancements.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

KKR gears up for Q4 earnings amid fresh dealmaking spree and bullish 2026 outlook.

KKR-led consortium ramped up investment in Sylvan on January 20, highlighting sustained appetite for targeted buyouts.
KKR boosted its ownership in Altavair on January 19, strengthening its real assets portfolio amid rising demand.
Firm's 2026 Outlook stresses portfolio adaptation to a shifting macro environment, with supportive backdrops for private markets.

Sentiment:

⚖️Neutral

CME Group hits record natural gas trading volumes amid winter storm surge.

Natural gas complex volume soared 15% above the 2018 record to 2.576M contracts, with Henry Hub options jumping 28% to a new high of 811K.
Winter storm concerns propelled futures to three-year highs, boosting client hedging in deep liquidity markets, per CME's Global Head of Energy.
Upcoming product expansions, like a new market data multicast for equity indices and variable tick upgrades starting January 26, signal ongoing platform enhancements.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Investment Analysis

KKR

Pros

KKR reported strong Q3 2025 earnings, exceeding both EPS and revenue forecasts with robust growth in fee-related earnings.
The firm achieved record fundraising and expanded its presence in high-growth areas such as private credit and Asian markets.
KKR's acquisition of OSTTRA enhances its infrastructure and technology offerings, broadening its alternative asset management platform.

Considerations

Despite strong results, KKR's stock has shown volatility and underperformed in pre-market trading, reflecting investor caution.
The company trades at a high valuation multiple, which may limit upside and increase sensitivity to market sentiment.
KKR's earnings are closely tied to fundraising cycles and capital markets activity, making them vulnerable to economic downturns.

CME Group

CME

Pros

CME Group maintains a dominant position in global derivatives trading, benefiting from high trading volumes and market resilience.
The company generates stable, recurring revenue from clearing and exchange fees, supporting strong cash flow generation.
CME Group has a robust balance sheet and a history of returning capital to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.

Considerations

CME Group's growth is limited by market saturation and regulatory scrutiny in the exchange sector.
Revenue is sensitive to interest rate changes and macroeconomic conditions, which can impact trading activity.
The company faces increasing competition from alternative trading platforms and fintech disruptors.

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