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Moodys Corporation(MCO)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$483.45
10/23/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for MCO

10/23/2026: MCO (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Moody's Corporation is a leading provider of credit ratings and financial risk analytics, operating primarily through its ratings agency and subscription-based data platform. The company has a strong, defensible business model characterized by high barriers to entry and consistent cash flow generation, which supports stable dividends. Its main growth opportunity lies in expanding its data and analytics capabilities, including ESG and AI-powered research tools, to reduce dependence on cyclical bond markets. Key risks include regulatory oversight, sensitivity to global debt issuance volume, and technological disruption in the financial data space. Moody's is well-suited for long-term investors seeking a quality, franchise-based stock, provided they monitor regulatory developments and bond market cycles.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorStrong fitThe company consistently reinvests in high-growth data and AI sectors.
Momentum investorMixed fitPerformance is often tied to macroeconomic cycles and bond market activity.
Value investorMixed fitThe stock often trades at a premium due to its high-quality business model.
Dividend investorStrong fitMoody's offers stable and growing dividends backed by strong cash flows.
Low-risk investorStrong fitThe company's essential role in financial markets provides a defensive moat.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMediumThe stock reacts to changes in global interest rates and bond market volumes.
Valuation riskMediumPremium multiples can be sensitive to growth slowdowns.
Competition risk (Analytics/Data)MediumCompeting with large incumbents like S&P and tech-driven data platforms requires constant innovation.
Business qualityStrongHigh barriers to entry provide a durable competitive advantage.
Dividend incomeLowYield is generally lower than high-yield sectors, though growth is reliable.
Execution riskMediumSuccessful integration of acquired software businesses is critical for long-term growth.

Price Behavior

Steady Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Steady Uptrend

The stock demonstrates consistent and steady upward price momentum.

Smooth
PRICE STABILITY

Smooth

The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -10%
Avg. Invested days 38
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/23/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
MCO receives a 4-star rating, supported by strong unit economics, solid company fundamentals, and solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
MCO has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with strong financial health, solid growth momentum, and strong ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid earnings growth (+19.5%) and strong cash generation (FCF margin 33.4%) are partially offset by moderate revenue growth (+8.9%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
MCO's financial health is supported by strong cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation of $2.6B (33.4% of revenue). Operating efficiency is solid (4 stars), which helps explain the 5-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Earnings growth is MCO's strongest growth driver at +19.5% FY2025 versus FY2024 (solid, 4 stars). Revenue growth (+8.9%, moderate) and free-cash-flow growth (+2.1%, moderate) are also constructive, though not equally high across every growth measure.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 79.1% and approximately 91.7% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 14.45% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

Berkshire Hathaway Inc 14.25%
TCI Fund Management Limited 8.28%
BlackRock Inc 7.20%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 5.63%
State Street Corp 4.11%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
MCO generates approximately $682 of gross profit, $448 of operating income, and $334 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Strong margins, cash conversion, and capital efficiency support the rating.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 21.34%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
MCO has a high-quality, large-cap, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while soft valuation.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Quality TiltHigh VolatilityLarge / Mega Cap StabilityHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 83.36B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 28.9
1Y Target Price 552.14
Price to earnings Ratio 28.9
1Y Target Price 552.14
Volume (30-day avg) 890.1K shares
Beta 1.35
52 Weeks Range 399.61 - 543.25
Updated Date 10/24/2026
52 Weeks Range 399.61 - 543.25
Updated Date 10/24/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 0.19%
Basic EPS (TTM) 16.73

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Moody's RatingsFees for rating debt instruments and securities for corporations and governments.This is a core, high-margin, but cyclical segment driven by bond market activity.
Moody's AnalyticsSubscription-based software, data, and research services.This segment provides recurring revenue that helps stabilize the company during market downturns.
GeographyRevenue generated globally, with significant exposure to North America and Europe.Global diversification helps mitigate localized economic risks.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

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Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-10-21
When Before Market
Estimate 4.25
Actual 4.14

Profitability

Profit Margin 35.26%
Operating Margin (TTM) 46.27%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 15.56%
Return on Equity (TTM) 76.74%

Valuation

Trailing PE 28.9
Forward PE 24.27
Enterprise Value 87.29B
Price to Sales(TTM) 10.2
Enterprise Value 87.29B
Price to Sales(TTM) 10.2
Enterprise Value to Revenue 10.7
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 20.03
Shares Outstanding 172.42M
Shares Floating 158.17M
Shares Outstanding 172.42M
Shares Floating 158.17M
Percent Insiders 14.45
Percent Institutions 79.09

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.