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.

Compare

Total returnCDNS vs QCOM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
CDNS +2169.5%QCOM +11063.6%QCOM compounded faster
05k10k15kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,269$11,164
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

MetricCDNSQCOM
P/E ratio67.3218.24
Forward P/E42.1615.79
P/S ratio15.954.10
P/B ratio13.586.68
PEG ratio14.863.18
EV / EBITDA46.8714.61
FCF yield1.80%6.86%

Profitability

MetricCDNSQCOM
Gross margin88.50%54.80%
Operating margin30.83%25.52%
Net margin23.61%22.31%
ROE20.09%36.38%
ROIC14.11%13.15%

Dividends

MetricCDNSQCOM
Dividend yieldN/A2.11%
Payout ratioN/A70.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCDNSQCOM
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.

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.