Adobe Inc. (ADBE) vs Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS)
ADBE leads on 11 of 14 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Adobe Inc. 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 — ADBE vs CDNS
growth of $100 · last 30yADBE +4281.6%CDNS +1664.9%ADBE compounded faster
ADBE CDNS
ADBE vs CDNS: by the numbers
- •CDNS is the larger company ($106.18B vs $82.46B market cap).
- •ADBE trades at the lower earnings multiple (11.67 vs 89.73 P/E).
- •ADBE converts more revenue to profit (28.69% vs 21.18% net margin).
- •CDNS grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.78% vs 12.38% CAGR).
Which is better, ADBE or CDNS?
Metric tally: ADBE 11 · CDNS 3It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueADBE(lower P/E)
GrowthCDNS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityADBE(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | ADBE | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 11.67● | 89.73 |
| Forward P/E | 7.71● | 41.13 |
| P/S ratio | 3.25● | 19.06 |
| P/B ratio | 7.12● | 16.06 |
| PEG ratio | 0.55● | 14.88 |
| EV / EBITDA | 8.64● | 56.46 |
| FCF yield | 12.53%● | 1.36% |
Profitability
| Metric | ADBE | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 89.12% | 88.85% |
| Operating margin | 36.07%● | 31.11% |
| Net margin | 28.69%● | 21.18% |
| ROE | 62.76%● | 17.85% |
| ROIC | 36.69%● | 14.11% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ADBE | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.38% | 14.78%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.86% | 13.62%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 11.60% | 11.44% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -17.72% | 24.38%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ADBE or CDNS?
- It depends on your goal. value: ADBE (lower P/E); growth: CDNS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: ADBE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ADBE leads 11 to 3.
- Is ADBE or CDNS cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ADBE is cheaper: ADBE trades at a 11.67 P/E and CDNS at 89.73.
- Which has grown faster, ADBE or CDNS?
- Over the past five years, CDNS grew revenue faster — ADBE at a 12.38% CAGR versus CDNS at 14.78%.
- Is ADBE or CDNS more profitable?
- ADBE runs the higher net margin — ADBE at 28.69% versus CDNS at 21.18%.
- Which has been the better investment, ADBE or CDNS?
- Over the past 10-year, CDNS delivered the higher annualized total return — ADBE at 7.71% versus CDNS at 31.59%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Adobe P/E ratioCadence Design Systems P/E ratioAdobe dividend yieldCadence Design Systems dividend yieldAdobe ROECadence Design Systems ROEAdobe operating marginCadence Design Systems operating marginAdobe revenue growthCadence Design Systems revenue growthAdobe free cash flowCadence Design Systems free cash flow
Adobe & 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.