Accenture plc (ACN) vs Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS)
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 July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ACN
Accenture plc
$164.66TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
CDNS
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
$344.72TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — ACN vs CDNS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 25yACN +1414.7%CDNS +1765.3%CDNS compounded faster
ACN CDNS
ACN vs CDNS: by the numbers
- •ACN is the larger company ($100.76B vs $95.08B market cap).
- •ACN trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (12.31 vs 67.32 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CDNS converts more revenue to profit (23.61% vs 10.70% net margin).
- •CDNS grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.04% vs 8.80% CAGR).
- •ACN pays a dividend (4.13% yield), while CDNS has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ACN | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 12.31 | 67.32 |
| Forward P/E | 11.11 | 42.16 |
| P/S ratio | 1.30 | 15.95 |
| P/B ratio | 2.97 | 13.58 |
| PEG ratio | 3.40 | 14.86 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.37 | 46.87 |
| FCF yield | 13.26% | 1.80% |
Profitability
| Metric | ACN | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 31.97% | 88.50% |
| Operating margin | 14.87% | 30.83% |
| Net margin | 10.70% | 23.61% |
| ROE | 24.53% | 20.09% |
| ROIC | 16.99% | 14.11% |
Dividends
| Metric | ACN | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.13% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 51.83% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ACN | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.80% | 15.04% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.89% | 13.62% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.55% | 15.03% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -11.93% | 18.88% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ACN or CDNS?
- ACN has the lower trailing P/E: ACN trades at 12.31 and CDNS at 67.32. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ACN or CDNS?
- Over the past five years, CDNS grew revenue faster — ACN at a 8.80% CAGR versus CDNS at 15.04%.
- Does ACN or CDNS pay a bigger dividend?
- ACN pays a dividend (4.13% yield), while CDNS has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is ACN or CDNS more profitable?
- CDNS runs the higher net margin — ACN at 10.70% versus CDNS at 23.61%.
- How have ACN and CDNS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ACN delivered 4.98% and CDNS delivered 30.48% annualized total return. 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 July 28, 2026.