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 25y
ACN +1022.5%CDNS +1687.2%CDNS compounded faster
01k2kStart $10020062011201620212026$1,122$1,787
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 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueACN(lower P/E)
GrowthCDNS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityACN(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricACNCDNS
P/E ratio13.9589.73
Forward P/E11.4141.13
P/S ratio1.4719.06
P/B ratio3.4016.06
PEG ratio3.4014.88
EV / EBITDA8.6556.46
FCF yield11.79%1.36%

Profitability

MetricACNCDNS
Gross margin31.99%88.85%
Operating margin14.81%31.11%
Net margin10.65%21.18%
ROE24.61%17.85%
ROIC16.99%14.11%

Dividends

MetricACNCDNS
Dividend yield3.74%
Payout ratio51.83%

Growth (annualized)

MetricACNCDNS
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.

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.