Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)
A side-by-side comparison of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CDNS
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
$344.72TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
QCOM
QUALCOMM Incorporated
$162.88TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CDNS vs QCOM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCDNS +2169.5%QCOM +11063.6%QCOM compounded faster
CDNS QCOM
CDNS vs QCOM: by the numbers
- •QCOM is the larger company ($171.68B vs $95.08B market cap).
- •QCOM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.24 vs 67.32 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CDNS converts more revenue to profit (23.61% vs 22.31% net margin).
- •CDNS grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.04% vs 8.63% CAGR).
- •QCOM pays a dividend (2.11% yield), while CDNS has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CDNS | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 67.32 | 18.24 |
| Forward P/E | 42.16 | 15.79 |
| P/S ratio | 15.95 | 4.10 |
| P/B ratio | 13.58 | 6.68 |
| PEG ratio | 14.86 | 3.18 |
| EV / EBITDA | 46.87 | 14.61 |
| FCF yield | 1.80% | 6.86% |
Profitability
| Metric | CDNS | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 88.50% | 54.80% |
| Operating margin | 30.83% | 25.52% |
| Net margin | 23.61% | 22.31% |
| ROE | 20.09% | 36.38% |
| ROIC | 14.11% | 13.15% |
Dividends
| Metric | CDNS | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 2.11% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 70.95% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CDNS | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 8.63% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 13.62% | 5.74% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.03% | 9.39% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.88% | 6.10% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CDNS or QCOM?
- QCOM has the lower trailing P/E: CDNS trades at 67.32 and QCOM at 18.24. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CDNS or QCOM?
- Over the past five years, CDNS grew revenue faster — CDNS at a 15.04% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
- Does CDNS or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
- QCOM pays a dividend (2.11% yield), while CDNS has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is CDNS or QCOM more profitable?
- CDNS runs the higher net margin — CDNS at 23.61% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
- How have CDNS and QCOM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CDNS delivered 30.48% and QCOM delivered 13.58% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cadence Design Systems P/E ratioQUALCOMM P/E ratioCadence Design Systems dividend yieldQUALCOMM dividend yieldCadence Design Systems ROEQUALCOMM ROECadence Design Systems operating marginQUALCOMM operating marginCadence Design Systems revenue growthQUALCOMM revenue growthCadence Design Systems free cash flowQUALCOMM free cash flow
Cadence Design Systems & QUALCOMM 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 28, 2026.