Valuation Trading Multiples & Precedent Transactions: Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers
Valuation benchmarks for Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers. Access public trading comps, EV/EBITDA acquisition multiples, and private market data for pitch books and valuation analysis.
1.1 - Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers Market Context & Valuation Drivers
Companies in this trading comparables group are publicly listed exchange operators and market data providers delivering multi-asset trading venues, listings, indices, and post-trade infrastructure. They monetize transaction fees, data subscriptions, listing and clearing revenues with high operating leverage and regulatory moats. They are grouped as valuation benchmarks and public trading comparables due to scale, network effects, diversified revenue mix, and exposure to market activity.
Typical capabilities include electronic trading platforms for equities, derivatives, fixed income, and commodities; real-time and historical market data feeds, pricing, and analytics; IPO and listing services with issuer support; indices and benchmarks licensing; central counterparty clearing, settlement, and collateral management; post-trade risk management and regulatory reporting; connectivity, colocation, and market access solutions; and surveillance and compliance technology that safeguards market integrity.
Primary customers include broker-dealers and trading firms accessing venues, asset managers and institutional investors consuming data, and corporate issuers seeking listings and capital raising. Key valuation drivers include average daily trading volumes, data subscription ARR growth and retention, listing activity/IPO pipelines, clearing volumes, revenue diversification across cyclic and non-cyclic streams, EBITDA margins, and free cash flow conversion.
2. Valuation Analysis: Public Trading Comps & Multiples for Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers companies
2.1 - Public Peer Groups & Median Valuation Multiples for Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers sector
Description: Companies in this trading comparables group are publicly listed exchange operators and market data providers delivering multi-asset trading venues, listings, indices, and post-trade infrastructure. They monetize transaction fees, data subscriptions, listing and clearing revenues with high operating leverage and regulatory moats. They are grouped as valuation benchmarks and public trading comparables due to scale, network effects, diversified revenue mix, and exposure to market activity.
Description:
Provider of integrated multi-asset class exchange services, operating equities, fixed income, derivatives, and energy markets with platforms for trading, clearing, and settlement to support global financial activities.
Key Products:
Market Data Solutions: Provides comprehensive market data for equities and derivatives
Trading Platforms: Offers trading services for equities, fixed income, and derivatives
Clearing and Settlement: Facilitates secure and efficient clearing and settlement processes
Analytics and Reporting: Provides analytical tools and reporting services for market insights
Listing Services: Supports companies in public listings and capital raising activities.
Description:
Provider of market infrastructure services for the trading, clearing, and settlement of financial instruments, including exchanges, indices, market data, and analytics for capital markets, promoting market integrity, transparency, and stability.
Key Products:
Indices: Providing various financial indices to benchmark market performance
Market Data: Offering comprehensive market data and analytics services
Trading Infrastructure: State-of-the-art platforms for trading financial instruments
Clearing Services: Solutions for clearing and risk management in trading
Settlement Services: Efficient systems for the settlement of financial transactions.
Valuation FAQ: Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers
What is the current median EV/Revenue multiple for Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers?
Based on our index of public trading comparables, the median Enterprise Value to Revenue (EV/Rev) multiple for the Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers sector is currently
β.βx.
High-growth peers in the top quartile are trading at
ββ.βx.
View full data.
What is the average EV/EBITDA multiple for companies in this sector?
Profitable companies in the Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers sector trade at a median EV/EBITDA multiple of
ββ.βx.
This represents a change vs the 5-year historical average.
Our platform tracks EBITDA multiples for Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers and other key peer groups.
How have valuation multiples for Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers trended over the last 5 years?
Valuations have adjusted since 2021.
The sector saw peak multiples of ββ.βx EV/Revenue, settling to a 5-year average of β.βx today.
Access our Historical Trends chart for granular monthly data.
What are recent M&A transaction multiples in the Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers space?
Recent precedent transactions indicate implied enterprise values ranging from
β.βx to
ββ.βx Revenue.
Private market deals often trade at a liquidity discount compared to public peers.
Unlock the full list of precedent transactions.
Which public companies are used as trading comps for Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers?
The primary trading comparable group includes Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers.
Key constituents used for benchmarking include large-cap leaders and specialized mid-cap players.
See the full list of companies in the Public Trading Comps section.
How do I value a private company in the Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers sector?
Valuing a private Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers company typically involves applying current
EV/Revenue and EV/EBITDA multiples from public peers to the private company's financial metrics.
A discount for lack of marketability (DLOM) of 20-30% is often applied.
Our private company valuation database provides the exact multiples needed for this calculation.
What are the Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers industry valuation multiples for 2025?
For 2025, the Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers industry is trading at a median EV/Revenue multiple of
β.βx.
This reflects current market sentiment, interest rates, and growth expectations.
Access our platform to see how these multiples have changed from 2024 to 2025.
What is the difference between trading comps and transaction multiples for Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers?
Trading comps look at how public markets value similar companies today, while
transaction multiples (or precedent transactions) look at the price paid in past M&A deals.
Transaction multiples often include a "control premium," typically resulting in higher valuations than trading comps.
Our database tracks both trading multiples and M&A transaction multiples.
Ready to Find Valuation benchmarks?
Access complete buyer lists, valuation data, and M&A intelligence for Exchange Operators and Market Data Providers