Accenture plc (ACN) vs Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS)
ACN leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Accenture plc and Cadence Design Systems, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — ACN vs CDNS
growth of $100 · last 25yACN +1022.5%CDNS +1687.2%CDNS compounded faster
ACN CDNS
ACN vs CDNS: by the numbers
- •CDNS is the larger company ($106.18B vs $104.80B market cap).
- •ACN trades at the lower earnings multiple (13.95 vs 89.73 P/E).
- •CDNS converts more revenue to profit (21.18% vs 10.65% net margin).
- •CDNS grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.78% vs 9.56% CAGR).
- •ACN pays a dividend (3.74% yield) while CDNS does not currently pay one.
Which is better, ACN or CDNS?
Metric tally: ACN 9 · CDNS 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueACN(lower P/E)
GrowthCDNS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityACN(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | ACN | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 13.95● | 89.73 |
| Forward P/E | 11.41● | 41.13 |
| P/S ratio | 1.47● | 19.06 |
| P/B ratio | 3.40● | 16.06 |
| PEG ratio | 3.40● | 14.88 |
| EV / EBITDA | 8.65● | 56.46 |
| FCF yield | 11.79%● | 1.36% |
Profitability
| Metric | ACN | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 31.99% | 88.85%● |
| Operating margin | 14.81% | 31.11%● |
| Net margin | 10.65% | 21.18%● |
| ROE | 24.61%● | 17.85% |
| ROIC | 16.99%● | 14.11% |
Dividends
| Metric | ACN | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.74% | — |
| Payout ratio | 51.83% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ACN | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.56% | 14.78%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.89% | 13.62%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 5.61% | 11.44%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -8.22% | 24.38%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ACN or CDNS?
- It depends on your goal. value: ACN (lower P/E); growth: CDNS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: ACN (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ACN leads 9 to 7.
- Is ACN or CDNS cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ACN is cheaper: ACN trades at a 13.95 P/E and CDNS at 89.73.
- Which has grown faster, ACN or CDNS?
- Over the past five years, CDNS grew revenue faster — ACN at a 9.56% CAGR versus CDNS at 14.78%.
- Does ACN or CDNS pay a bigger dividend?
- ACN pays a dividend (3.74% yield) while CDNS does not currently pay one.
- Is ACN or CDNS more profitable?
- CDNS runs the higher net margin — ACN at 10.65% versus CDNS at 21.18%.
- Which has been the better investment, ACN or CDNS?
- Over the past 10-year, CDNS delivered the higher annualized total return — ACN at 5.49% versus CDNS at 31.59%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Accenture P/E ratioCadence Design Systems P/E ratioAccenture dividend yieldCadence Design Systems dividend yieldAccenture ROECadence Design Systems ROEAccenture operating marginCadence Design Systems operating marginAccenture revenue growthCadence Design Systems revenue growthAccenture free cash flowCadence Design Systems free cash flow
Accenture & Cadence Design Systems appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.