Stock Analysis

Nasdaq (NDAQ) Valuation: Is There More Upside After Recent Steady Gains?

Nasdaq (NDAQ) has drawn attention lately as its stock performance reveals small ups and downs over the past month. Investors are weighing recent shifts in returns, as well as slow annual revenue growth and a modest gain in net income.

See our latest analysis for Nasdaq.

Nasdaq’s share price has edged higher so far this year, now sitting at $87.66. This reflects a steady 13.2% year-to-date share price return. Even with some modest dips recently, long-term performance remains robust, with a 36% three-year total shareholder return and 122% over five years. This shows the stock still has staying power for those focused on growth.

If you’re curious where momentum could build next, consider broadening your search and discover fast growing stocks with high insider ownership.

With Nasdaq’s current share price below analyst targets and its strong multi-year returns, the key question is whether the market is undervaluing its future prospects or if all potential gains are already reflected in the price.

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Most Popular Narrative: 14.4% Undervalued

With Nasdaq’s fair value pegged at $102.35 in the most popular narrative, and the last close at $87.66, the current price leaves apparent upside for investors. The narrative rests on ongoing transformation efforts and high expectations for future profitability, setting the stage for a potentially pivotal few years.

Nasdaq's strategic investments in product innovation, international market expansion, and new product launches, especially in the index business, are expected to drive sustained revenue growth. These initiatives aim to strengthen their global position and diversify revenue streams from the Nasdaq 100, supporting long-term earnings performance.

Read the complete narrative.

Curious what kind of financial blueprints back this valuation? Analysts are making aggressive assumptions about future profits, margins, and market reach. The catalyst for this undervaluation may surprise you. Discover the precise projections driving such high expectations and why this narrative diverges from market skepticism.

Result: Fair Value of $102.35 (UNDERVALUED)

Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts.

However, elevated competition and unpredictable macroeconomic conditions could easily disrupt Nasdaq’s growth assumptions. This could put the bullish narrative at risk.

Find out about the key risks to this Nasdaq narrative.

Another View: Caution in the Multiples

Despite optimism from the fair value model, Nasdaq currently trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.8x. This is higher than its estimated fair ratio of 16x, and also above the average for the US Capital Markets industry at 23.6x. In practical terms, this means Nasdaq is priced at a premium to both its peers and historical expectations. This may affect future returns if the market shifts.

See what the numbers say about this price — find out in our valuation breakdown.

NasdaqGS:NDAQ PE Ratio as at Nov 2025
NasdaqGS:NDAQ PE Ratio as at Nov 2025

Build Your Own Nasdaq Narrative

If this perspective doesn’t match your own or you prefer diving into the numbers yourself, you can experiment and shape your own narrative in just a few minutes. Do it your way

A great starting point for your Nasdaq research is our analysis highlighting 2 key rewards and 1 important warning sign that could impact your investment decision.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Valuation is complex, but we're here to simplify it.

Discover if Nasdaq might be undervalued or overvalued with our detailed analysis, featuring fair value estimates, potential risks, dividends, insider trades, and its financial condition.

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