Cadence Design Systems Inc vs MPLX LP — how do they compare? Cadence Design Systems Inc trades at $378.2 (market cap $104.24B), while MPLX LP trades at $56.5 (market cap $57.34B). The key difference: Cadence Design Systems Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and MPLX LP pays a 7.62% dividend while Cadence Design Systems Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CDNS | MPLX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $104.24B | $57.34B |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
52-Week High | $416.39 | $59.17 |
52-Week Low | $265.66 | $47.80 |
Enterprise Value | $105.91B | $81.97B |
Dividend Yield | — | 7.62% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) trades at $377.92, down 1.63% on the day, with strong analyst support (84% buy ratings) and a $400.25 consensus price target. The stock shows bullish technical signals with support at $373 and resistance at $385. Recent quarterly earnings have consistently beaten expectations, with Q2 2026 results expected on July 27, 2026. Revenue growth remains robust, climbing from $3.6B in 2022 to $5.3B in 2025, though profit margins have moderated slightly.
CDNS presents a compelling growth story driven by AI and semiconductor design demand, with upside to analyst targets. However, high valuation multiples (P/E 88.09, P/S 18.68) pose risks if growth slows. Key near-term catalyst is Q2 earnings; sustained execution is critical to justify premium valuation amid competitive pressures.
MPLX trades at $57.21, up 0.46% today, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and a consensus price target of $60.60. The company reported strong profitability with a 41.24% net income margin and robust cash flow from operations of $5.91B in 2025. Recent earnings showed beats in Q3 and Q4 2025 but a miss in Q1 2026, with Q2 2026 results pending. A dividend of $1.08 was declared for H1-26, reinforcing income appeal.
The stock presents a compelling value with a P/E of 12.23 and high analyst buy consensus (71.43%), though risks include earnings volatility and high debt-to-asset ratio of 90.06%. Upside is supported by stable midstream operations and Permian Basin exposure, but investors should monitor Q2 2026 earnings for growth sustainability.
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 →MPLX LP is a Master Limited Partnership (MLP) formed by Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC). It is a diversified, growth-oriented company primarily engaged in the gathering, processing, and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs), as well as the transportation, storage, and distribution of crude oil and refined petroleum products. MPLX owns and operates a network of midstream energy infrastructure assets, providing essential services to the energy industry across the United States.
Read more on MPLX →