Cadence Design Systems Inc vs Union Pacific Corporation — how do they compare? Cadence Design Systems Inc trades at $326.34 (market cap $90.20B), while Union Pacific Corporation trades at $292.87 (market cap $173.99B). The key difference: Union Pacific Corporation is the larger of the two by market cap, and Union Pacific Corporation pays a 1.94% dividend while Cadence Design Systems Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CDNS | UNP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $90.20B | $173.99B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $416.39 | $307.32 |
52-Week Low | $265.66 | $214.91 |
Enterprise Value | $91.41B | $203.04B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.94% |
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.
Union Pacific (UNP) trades at $292.24, down 0.3% on the day, with a neutral technical signal. The company reported strong Q2 2026 results, beating EPS and revenue estimates, and raised full-year guidance. Fundamentals remain robust with a net income margin of 28.85% and ROE of 39.7%, though valuation ratios like P/E of 23.71 are elevated. Recent news highlights a 3% dividend increase and ongoing merger developments with Norfolk Southern.
The outlook is positive, driven by service-led growth, pricing power, and efficiency gains. Key opportunities include domestic intermodal expansion and margin improvement. Risks involve high fuel costs, regulatory scrutiny of the merger, and economic sensitivity. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $334.33 price target, suggesting significant upside from current levels.
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 →Omaha, Nebraska-based Union Pacific is the largest public railroad in North America. Operating on more than 30,000 miles of track in the western two thirds of the U.S., UP generated roughly $22 billion of revenue in 2021 by hauling coal, industrial products, intermodal containers, agriculture goods, chemicals, and automotive goods. UP owns about one fourth of Mexican railroad Ferromex and derives about 10% of its revenue hauling freight to and from Mexico.
Read more on UNP →