Cadence Design Systems Inc vs Nasdaq Inc — how do they compare? Cadence Design Systems Inc trades at $371.25 (market cap $104.24B), while Nasdaq Inc trades at $91 (market cap $49.77B). The key difference: Cadence Design Systems Inc is far larger — about 2.1× Nasdaq Inc's market cap, and Nasdaq Inc pays a 1.27% dividend while Cadence Design Systems Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CDNS | NDAQ | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $104.24B | $49.77B |
Sector | Technology | Financials |
52-Week High | $416.39 | $100.98 |
52-Week Low | $265.66 | $76.85 |
Enterprise Value | $105.91B | $56.84B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.27% |
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.
Nasdaq (NDAQ) trades at $89.21, up 1.28% with a bullish technical signal and strong earnings momentum, beating estimates for three consecutive quarters. The company reported robust 2025 revenue of $8.26 billion and net income of $1.79 billion, with a net margin of 23.03%. Recent news highlights include SK Hynix's Nasdaq debut and positive analyst coverage, with 61% of analysts rating it a buy.
Outlook remains positive given earnings consistency and a $105.60 consensus price target, but risks include high valuation multiples and debt levels. Cash flow volatility from investing and financing activities warrants monitoring, though operational strength supports growth prospects.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →Founded in 1971, Nasdaq is primarily known for its equity exchange, but in addition to its market-services business (about 35% of sales), the company sells and distributes market data as well as offers Nasdaq-branded indexes to asset managers and investors through its information-services segment (30%). Nasdaq's corporate-services business (20%) offers listing services and related investor relations products to publicly traded companies and through the company's market technology group (15%), Nasdaq facilitates the exchange operations of other exchanges throughout the world and provides financial compliance services.
Read more on NDAQ →