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.

Compare

Total returnCDNS vs NOW

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 14y
CDNS +3072.2%NOW +2252.8%CDNS compounded faster
01k2k3k4k5kStart $1002015201820212024$3,172$2,353
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

MetricCDNSNOW
P/E ratio66.1672.35
Forward P/E40.9328.43
P/S ratio15.678.15
P/B ratio13.346.42
PEG ratio14.864.04
EV / EBITDA46.0757.79
FCF yield1.83%3.82%

Profitability

MetricCDNSNOW
Gross margin88.50%74.77%
Operating margin30.83%11.40%
Net margin23.61%11.34%
ROE20.09%8.93%
ROIC14.11%8.98%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCDNSNOW
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.

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.