Aptiv PLC vs Cadence Design Systems Inc — how do they compare? Aptiv PLC trades at $50.1 (market cap $10.34B), while Cadence Design Systems Inc trades at $328.27 (market cap $91.41B). The key difference: Cadence Design Systems Inc is far larger — about 8.8× Aptiv PLC's market cap, and Cadence Design Systems Inc is trading nearer its 52-week high, Aptiv PLC nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| APTV | CDNS | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $10.34B | $91.41B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Technology |
52-Week High | $76.82 | $416.39 |
52-Week Low | $46.30 | $265.66 |
Enterprise Value | $15.27B | $92.62B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
APTV stock trades at $49.55, up 7.02% in the last session, but remains under bearish technical pressure with support at $48 and resistance at $50. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $1.63, beating estimates, but lowered full-year guidance due to weak China demand. Revenue grew 2% year-over-year to $20.4B in 2025, though net margins compressed to 1.07%.
The outlook is mixed: strong analyst buy consensus (63.6%) and a $70.09 price target suggest upside, but technical weakness, margin pressures, and China exposure pose near-term risks. Earnings beats highlight operational strength, but investors face volatility from guidance cuts and competitive headwinds.
Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) trades at $339.24, up 0.24% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamental performance. The stock has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with Q2 2026 EPS of $2.11 surpassing expectations. Revenue growth is robust, driven by AI demand, with 2025 revenue reaching $5.30 billion and a net income margin of 23.61%. Analyst sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with 83.87% recommending Buy and a consensus price target of $415.11.
The outlook for CDNS is favorable, supported by strong AI-driven demand, record backlog of $8.1 billion as of Q2 2026 (Zacks Investment Research, 2026-07-30), and upwardly revised guidance. Risks include high valuation multiples, such as a P/E of 67.44, and potential market volatility amid semiconductor sector fluctuations. Institutional confidence remains high, with Amundi increasing its stake by 3.8% in Q1 2026 (Defense World, 2026-07-30).
Trailing returns across standard periods
Aptiv's signal and power solutions segment supplies components and systems that make up a vehicle's electrical system backbone, including wiring assemblies and harnesses, connectors, electrical centers, and hybrid electrical systems. The advanced safety and user experience segment provides body controls, infotainment and connectivity systems, passive and active safety electronics, advanced driver-assist technologies, and displays, as well as the development of software for these systems. Aptiv's largest customer is General Motors at roughly 12% of 2021 revenue, including sales to GM's Shanghai joint venture, followed by Stellantis at 11%, and Volkswagen at 9%. North America and Europe represented approximately 38% and 33% of total 2019 revenue, respectively.
Read more on APTV →Cadence Design Systems is a provider of electronic design automation software, intellectual property, and system design and analysis products. EDA software automates the chip design process, enhancing design accuracy, productivity, and complexity in a full-flow end-to-end solution. Cadence offers a portfolio of design IP, as well as system design and analysis products, which enable system-level analysis and verification solutions. Cadence's comprehensive portfolio is benefiting from a mutual convergence of semiconductor companies moving up-stack toward systems-like companies, and systems companies moving down-stack toward in-house chip design. The resulting expansion in EDA customers, alongside secular digitalization of various end markets, benefits EDA vendors like Cadence.
Read more on CDNS →