Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS) vs ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW)
A side-by-side comparison of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. and ServiceNow, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 30, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CDNS
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
$332.08TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT
NOW
ServiceNow, Inc.
$108.90TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT
Total return — CDNS vs NOW
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 14yCDNS +3072.2%NOW +2252.8%CDNS compounded faster
CDNS NOW
CDNS vs NOW: by the numbers
- •NOW is the larger company ($112.59B vs $91.59B market cap).
- •CDNS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (66.16 vs 72.35 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CDNS converts more revenue to profit (23.61% vs 11.34% net margin).
- •NOW grew revenue faster over the past five years (23.29% vs 15.04% CAGR).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CDNS | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 66.16 | 72.35 |
| Forward P/E | 40.93 | 28.43 |
| P/S ratio | 15.67 | 8.15 |
| P/B ratio | 13.34 | 6.42 |
| PEG ratio | 14.86 | 4.04 |
| EV / EBITDA | 46.07 | 57.79 |
| FCF yield | 1.83% | 3.82% |
Profitability
| Metric | CDNS | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 88.50% | 74.77% |
| Operating margin | 30.83% | 11.40% |
| Net margin | 23.61% | 11.34% |
| ROE | 20.09% | 8.93% |
| ROIC | 14.11% | 8.98% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CDNS | NOW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 23.29% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 13.62% | 69.74% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.03% | 24.63% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 17.95% | -0.26% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CDNS or NOW?
- CDNS has the lower trailing P/E: CDNS trades at 66.16 and NOW at 72.35. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CDNS or NOW?
- Over the past five years, NOW grew revenue faster — CDNS at a 15.04% CAGR versus NOW at 23.29%.
- Is CDNS or NOW more profitable?
- CDNS runs the higher net margin — CDNS at 23.61% versus NOW at 11.34%.
- How have CDNS and NOW total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CDNS delivered 30.05% and NOW delivered 22.69% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cadence Design Systems P/E ratioServiceNow P/E ratioCadence Design Systems dividend yieldServiceNow dividend yieldCadence Design Systems ROEServiceNow ROECadence Design Systems operating marginServiceNow operating marginCadence Design Systems revenue growthServiceNow revenue growthCadence Design Systems free cash flowServiceNow free cash flow
Cadence Design Systems & ServiceNow 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 30, 2026.