Cadence Design Systems Inc vs Williams Companies Inc — how do they compare? Cadence Design Systems Inc trades at $328.35 (market cap $91.41B), while Williams Companies Inc trades at $72.66 (market cap $87.88B). The key difference: Cadence Design Systems Inc and Williams Companies Inc are close in size by market cap, and Williams Companies Inc pays a 2.92% dividend while Cadence Design Systems Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CDNS | WMB | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $91.41B | $87.88B |
Sector | Technology | Energy |
52-Week High | $416.39 | $79.40 |
52-Week Low | $265.66 | $56.51 |
Enterprise Value | $92.62B | $118.51B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.92% |
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).
WMB trades at $70.4, down 1.9% on the day, amid a bearish technical signal. The company reported mixed Q2 2026 earnings, missing EPS estimates but raising full-year EBITDA guidance to $8.4 billion. Strong profitability is evident with a 25.18% net income margin and 24.02% ROE, though valuation ratios like P/E of 28.05 appear elevated. The recent $5.5 billion acquisition of Momentum Midstream aims to bolster growth in the Haynesville region.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus strongly bullish (79% buy ratings) and a $87.14 price target, implying significant upside. Risks include execution of the Momentum integration, volatile energy prices, and high debt levels. Cash flow stability from fee-based contracts supports the dividend, but net cash flow turned negative in 2026 forecasts.
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 →Williams is a midstream energy company that owns and operates the large Transco and Northwest pipeline systems and associated natural gas gathering, processing, and storage assets. In August 2018, the firm acquired the remaining 26% ownership of its limited partner, Williams Partners.
Read more on WMB →