Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)
POWL leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. and Powell Industries, 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).
CDNS
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
$384.96Technology
POWL
Powell Industries, Inc.
$294.75Industrials
Total return — CDNS vs POWL
growth of $100 · last 30yCDNS +1664.9%POWL +7124.3%POWL compounded faster
CDNS POWL
CDNS vs POWL: by the numbers
- •CDNS is the larger company ($106.18B vs $10.74B market cap).
- •POWL trades at the lower earnings multiple (57.61 vs 89.73 P/E).
- •CDNS converts more revenue to profit (21.18% vs 16.51% net margin).
- •POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.84% vs 14.78% CAGR).
- •POWL pays a dividend (0.12% yield) while CDNS does not currently pay one.
Which is better, CDNS or POWL?
Metric tally: CDNS 4 · POWL 12It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValuePOWL(lower P/E)
GrowthPOWL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityPOWL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CDNS | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 89.73 | 57.61● |
| Forward P/E | 41.13● | 44.88 |
| P/S ratio | 19.06 | 9.51● |
| P/B ratio | 16.06 | 15.19● |
| PEG ratio | 14.88 | 1.03● |
| EV / EBITDA | 56.46 | 41.17● |
| FCF yield | 1.36% | 1.79%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CDNS | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 88.85%● | 30.10% |
| Operating margin | 31.11%● | 19.76% |
| Net margin | 21.18%● | 16.51% |
| ROE | 17.85% | 26.36%● |
| ROIC | 14.11% | 25.41%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CDNS | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 0.12% |
| Payout ratio | — | 7.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CDNS | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 14.78% | 19.84%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 13.62% | 59.98%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 11.44% | 34.56%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 24.38% | 99.30%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CDNS or POWL?
- It depends on your goal. value: POWL (lower P/E); growth: POWL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: POWL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, POWL leads 12 to 4.
- Is CDNS or POWL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, POWL is cheaper: CDNS trades at a 89.73 P/E and POWL at 57.61.
- Which has grown faster, CDNS or POWL?
- Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — CDNS at a 14.78% CAGR versus POWL at 19.84%.
- Does CDNS or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
- POWL pays a dividend (0.12% yield) while CDNS does not currently pay one.
- Is CDNS or POWL more profitable?
- CDNS runs the higher net margin — CDNS at 21.18% versus POWL at 16.51%.
- Which has been the better investment, CDNS or POWL?
- Over the past 10-year, POWL delivered the higher annualized total return — CDNS at 31.59% versus POWL at 47.08%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cadence Design Systems P/E ratioPowell Industries P/E ratioCadence Design Systems dividend yieldPowell Industries dividend yieldCadence Design Systems ROEPowell Industries ROECadence Design Systems operating marginPowell Industries operating marginCadence Design Systems revenue growthPowell Industries revenue growthCadence Design Systems free cash flowPowell Industries free cash flow
Cadence Design Systems & Powell Industries 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.