Cadence Design Systems Inc vs L3Harris Technologies Inc — how do they compare? Cadence Design Systems Inc trades at $326.35 (market cap $90.20B), while L3Harris Technologies Inc trades at $285.15 (market cap $53.26B). The key difference: Cadence Design Systems Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and L3Harris Technologies Inc pays a 1.75% dividend while Cadence Design Systems Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CDNS | LHX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $90.20B | $53.26B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $416.39 | $378.48 |
52-Week Low | $265.66 | $270.21 |
Enterprise Value | $91.41B | $63.71B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.75% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) trades at $331.91, down 2.16% amid a bearish technical signal, though it remains supported by strong fundamentals. The company reported Q2 2026 earnings that beat estimates, with revenue growth of 24.2% driven by AI demand, and raised its full-year outlook. Analyst consensus is strongly bullish with an average price target of $415.11, representing 25% upside potential from current levels.
The stock offers compelling growth prospects from AI-driven semiconductor design demand, with record backlog of $8.1 billion supporting future revenue visibility. Key risks include high valuation multiples (P/E 65.12) and potential semiconductor cycle volatility. Institutional ownership remains strong with recent position increases by major funds like Amundi.
LHX trades at $289.72, up 1.06% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamental momentum. Recent earnings beats, including Q2 2026 EPS of $3.13 versus $2.80 expected, and a record $42 billion backlog support growth. The company completed a strategic divestiture and secured key defense contracts, enhancing its positioning in missile defense and space systems.
Outlook is positive with analyst consensus price target of $319.33 implying ~10% upside, though technical indicators signal near-term caution. Risks include execution on production ramp-ups and defense budget volatility, but robust cash flow and dividend payments provide shareholder stability.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →L3Harris Technologies was created in 2019 from the merger of L3 Technologies and Harris, two defense contractors that provide products for the command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) market. The firm also has smaller operations serving the civil government, particularly the Federal Aviation Administration's communication infrastructure, and produces various avionics for defense and commercial aviation.
Read more on LHX →