Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS) vs Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. (MPWR)
CDNS and MPWR are evenly matched — 8 metrics each of 16.
A side-by-side comparison of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. and Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
CDNS
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
$384.96Technology
MPWR
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
$1577.32Technology
Total return — CDNS vs MPWR
growth of $100 · last 22yCDNS +2751.6%MPWR +15929.7%MPWR compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CDNS MPWR
CDNS vs MPWR: by the numbers
- •CDNS is the larger company ($106.18B vs $77.49B market cap).
- •CDNS trades at the lower earnings multiple (89.73 vs 113.72 P/E).
- •MPWR converts more revenue to profit (22.84% vs 21.18% net margin).
- •MPWR grew revenue faster over the past five years (25.95% vs 14.78% CAGR).
- •MPWR pays a dividend (0.42% yield) while CDNS does not currently pay one.
Which is better, CDNS or MPWR?
Metric tally: CDNS 8 · MPWR 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCDNS(lower P/E)
GrowthMPWR(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityMPWR(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CDNS | MPWR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 89.73● | 113.72 |
| Forward P/E | 41.13● | 52.57 |
| P/S ratio | 19.06● | 26.27 |
| P/B ratio | 16.06● | 21.12 |
| PEG ratio | 14.88 | 4.00● |
| EV / EBITDA | 56.46● | 87.05 |
| FCF yield | 1.36%● | 0.81% |
Profitability
| Metric | CDNS | MPWR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 88.85%● | 55.18% |
| Operating margin | 31.11%● | 27.09% |
| Net margin | 21.18% | 22.84%● |
| ROE | 17.85% | 18.37%● |
| ROIC | 14.11% | 15.30%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CDNS | MPWR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 0.42% |
| Payout ratio | — | 52.11% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CDNS | MPWR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 14.78% | 25.95%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 13.62% | 28.43%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 11.44% | 22.36%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 24.38% | 36.32%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CDNS or MPWR?
- It depends on your goal. value: CDNS (lower P/E); growth: MPWR (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: MPWR (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
- Is CDNS or MPWR cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CDNS is cheaper: CDNS trades at a 89.73 P/E and MPWR at 113.72.
- Which has grown faster, CDNS or MPWR?
- Over the past five years, MPWR grew revenue faster — CDNS at a 14.78% CAGR versus MPWR at 25.95%.
- Does CDNS or MPWR pay a bigger dividend?
- MPWR pays a dividend (0.42% yield) while CDNS does not currently pay one.
- Is CDNS or MPWR more profitable?
- MPWR runs the higher net margin — CDNS at 21.18% versus MPWR at 22.84%.
- Which has been the better investment, CDNS or MPWR?
- Over the past 10-year, MPWR delivered the higher annualized total return — CDNS at 31.59% versus MPWR at 37.85%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cadence Design Systems P/E ratioMonolithic Power Systems P/E ratioCadence Design Systems dividend yieldMonolithic Power Systems dividend yieldCadence Design Systems ROEMonolithic Power Systems ROECadence Design Systems operating marginMonolithic Power Systems operating marginCadence Design Systems revenue growthMonolithic Power Systems revenue growthCadence Design Systems free cash flowMonolithic Power Systems free cash flow
Cadence Design Systems & Monolithic Power 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 14, 2026.