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On Friday, Citi analyst Chris Allen maintained a Buy rating on MarketAxess (NASDAQ:MKTX) with a consistent price target of $250.00. According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains a "GOOD" financial health score, with robust profitability metrics including a 62.35% gross profit margin and strong liquidity indicators. Allen highlighted MarketAxess’s strong performance, noting a significant year-over-year increase in total credit average daily volume (ADV) for March. The ADV rose to $17.8 billion, marking a 20% increase compared to the same period last year and a 15% sequential rise. This growth aligns with the company’s broader trajectory, as InvestingPro shows an 8.58% revenue growth over the last twelve months. For deeper insights into MKTX’s performance metrics and growth potential, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively to InvestingPro subscribers.
Allen pointed out that share trends were as expected in the high-yield (HY) segment and better than anticipated in the investment-grade (IG) segment. However, he also mentioned a slight decline in credit fees per million (FPM), which decreased to $136 in March from $143 in February.
The analyst expressed a positive outlook for MarketAxess, expecting that the current market conditions characterized by wider spreads and elevated volatility could benefit the company’s Open Trading platform. Allen suggested that if these market trends persist, MarketAxess might also witness a resurgence in exchange-traded fund (ETF) arbitrage activity, which has been muted recently.
Allen’s commentary underscored that the current market environment plays to MarketAxess’s strengths. In his view, the company stands out as the top pick among exchange stocks, which he believes should generally perform well relative to the market, with the possible exception of Nasdaq (NDAQ).
MarketAxess’s performance and the analyst’s reiteration of a Buy rating and $250 price target reflect the firm’s confidence in the company’s ability to capitalize on market conditions and continue its growth trajectory. InvestingPro analysis reveals the company has maintained dividend payments for 17 consecutive years and raised them for 11 straight years, demonstrating consistent financial strength. Additionally, InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis suggests the stock is currently undervalued, presenting a potential opportunity for investors seeking exposure to the exchange sector.
In other recent news, MarketAxess Holdings Inc. reported record trading volumes for March 2025 and the first quarter, with total average daily volume (ADV) for March reaching $46.5 billion, a 46% increase from the previous year. The first quarter’s total ADV was $42.9 billion, marking a 31% year-over-year increase. Despite these impressive figures, the company noted a decline in total credit variable transaction fees per million due to product mix changes. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods maintained a Market Perform rating for MarketAxess, reducing the stock price target from $251 to $225, reflecting challenges like slower industry volumes and reduced market share. Citi also adjusted its price target for MarketAxess to $300 from $325, maintaining a Buy rating while expressing concerns about potential negative earnings revisions. UBS acknowledged the competitive challenges in the electronic trading sector but still recognized MarketAxess as a valuable player in the transition to electronic platforms. These developments highlight the mixed performance and outlook for MarketAxess as it navigates a competitive landscape.
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