Cadence Design Systems Inc vs QUALCOMM, Inc. — how do they compare? Cadence Design Systems Inc trades at $327.47 (market cap $91.41B), while QUALCOMM, Inc. trades at $162.95 (market cap $170.28B). The key difference: QUALCOMM, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and QUALCOMM, Inc. pays a 2.27% dividend while Cadence Design Systems Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CDNS | QCOM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $91.41B | $170.28B |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
52-Week High | $416.39 | $251.10 |
52-Week Low | $265.66 | $124.07 |
Enterprise Value | $92.62B | $177.24B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.27% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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).
Qualcomm (QCOM) trades at $162.68, down 3.09% amid broader semiconductor sector pressure. The stock shows mixed signals with bearish technical indicators but strong fundamentals including recent earnings beats and a 21.01% net income margin. Recent news highlights Qualcomm's strategic pivot toward AI and data centers, though competition from Nvidia's new PC chip has sparked investor concerns. The company maintains solid cash flow generation of $14.01B from operations in 2025 and continues dividend payments.
Qualcomm presents a compelling value opportunity with a P/E of 18.53 below sector averages, supported by analyst consensus price target of $200.56 implying 23% upside. Key risks include smartphone market softness and intensifying AI competition. The company's diversification into automotive and data centers provides growth catalysts, though execution risks remain. Current levels offer attractive entry for long-term investors seeking exposure to semiconductor and AI infrastructure.
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 →Qualcomm develops and licenses wireless technology and designs chips for smartphones. The company's key patents revolve around CDMA and OFDMA technologies, which are standards in wireless communications that are the backbone of all 3G and 4G networks. The firm is a leader in 5G network technology as well. Qualcomm's IP is licensed by virtually all wireless device makers. The firm is also the world's largest wireless chip vendor, supplying nearly every premier handset maker with leading-edge processors. Qualcomm also sells RF-front end modules into smartphones and chips into automotive and Internet of Things markets.
Read more on QCOM →