Nasdaq Inc vs Wendys Co — how do they compare? Nasdaq Inc trades at $95.99 (market cap $53.11B), while Wendys Co trades at $8.71 (market cap $1.44B). The key difference: Nasdaq Inc is far larger — about 36.9× Wendys Co's market cap, and Wendys Co pays the higher dividend (3.71%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NDAQ | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $53.11B | $1.44B |
Sector | Financials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $100.98 | $10.68 |
52-Week Low | $76.85 | $6.17 |
Enterprise Value | $59.57B | $5.17B |
Dividend Yield | 1.22% | 3.71% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Nasdaq (NDAQ) trades at $95.92, up 0.31% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong support at $95. The company reported robust earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.07 exceeding expectations, and revenue growth accelerated to $8.26 billion in 2025. Recent news includes the acquisition of LeveL Markets, advancing its always-on markets strategy.
The outlook is positive, supported by analyst consensus of $109.20 price target and 61% buy ratings. Key opportunities include sustained revenue growth and strategic acquisitions, while risks involve competitive pressures and market volatility. The stock offers a dividend yield with recent payouts of $0.31 per share.
Wendy's (WEN) stock is trading at $8.57, up 17.4% in 24 hours, with a neutral technical signal and bullish moving averages. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.18, beating expectations, but faces challenges including a 50% dividend cut, withdrawn 2026 outlook, and declining U.S. same-store sales as Burger King overtakes it as the second-largest U.S. burger chain. Financial metrics show a P/E of 11.44 and ROE of 108.04%, but net income margin has fallen to 5.72% for 2026.
The outlook is cautious; while valuation appears reasonable and recent earnings beats are positive, significant operational headwinds, high debt, and intense competition pose risks. Analyst sentiment is mixed with a majority Hold rating, reflecting uncertainty around the new CEO's turnaround plan. Investment opportunity hinges on successful execution of strategic initiatives to restore growth and profitability.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Founded in 1971, Nasdaq is primarily known for its equity exchange, but in addition to its market-services business (about 35% of sales), the company sells and distributes market data as well as offers Nasdaq-branded indexes to asset managers and investors through its information-services segment (30%). Nasdaq's corporate-services business (20%) offers listing services and related investor relations products to publicly traded companies and through the company's market technology group (15%), Nasdaq facilitates the exchange operations of other exchanges throughout the world and provides financial compliance services.
Read more on NDAQ →The Wendy's Company is the second-largest burger quick-service restaurant, or QSR, chain in the United States by systemwide sales, with $11.1 billion in 2021, narrowly edging Burger King ($10.3 billion) and clocking in well behind wide-moat McDonald's ($45.7 billion). After divestitures of Tim Hortons (2006) and Arby's (2011), the firm manages just the burger banner, generating sales across a footprint that spans almost 7,000 total units in 30 countries. Wendy's generates revenue from the sale of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and fries throughout its company-owned footprint, through franchise royalty and marketing fund payments remitted by its franchisees, which account for 94% of stores, and through franchise flipping and advisory fees.
Read more on WEN →