Cadence Design Systems Inc vs First Trust NASDAQ 100 Technology Index Fund — how do they compare? Cadence Design Systems Inc trades at $328.2 (market cap $91.41B), while First Trust NASDAQ 100 Technology Index Fund trades at $315.63. The key difference: First Trust NASDAQ 100 Technology Index Fund is trading nearer its 52-week high, Cadence Design Systems Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CDNS | QTEC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $91.41B | — |
Sector | Technology | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $416.39 | $335.74 |
52-Week Low | $265.66 | $207.03 |
Enterprise Value | $92.62B | — |
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).
QTEC trades at $316.59, up 1.7% with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The ETF, tracking NASDAQ-100 technology stocks, lacks disclosed P/E and P/S ratios. A small dividend of $0.03 is scheduled for June 2026, with support at $313 and resistance at $319.
Outlook remains positive due to strong technical momentum, though overbought RSI signals caution. Risks include tech sector volatility and reliance on broad market trends. Analyst coverage highlights its role for diversified tech exposure without specific ratings available.
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 →QTEC is an ETF that seeks to track the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index. The fund provides targeted exposure to companies within the NASDAQ-100 that are classified as technology or telecommunications companies, focusing on firms involved in software, hardware, and related services. QTEC is a tool for investors seeking focused exposure to high-growth, large-cap technology companies listed on the NASDAQ exchange.
Read more on QTEC →