CDNS Cadence Design Systems Inc

Previous close
$278.72
Est. 12 months change
+28.72%
Projected Price
$359.58

Profitability Metrics

Return on Equity (ROE)
21.95%
Return on Assets (ROA)
11.36%
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
22.62%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)
9.52%
ROIC - WACC
13.10%
Updated : 2026-04-04 05:17 ET

Valuation Metrics

P/E Ratio
68.65
Forward P/E
34.95
PEG Ratio
2.23
Debt Current Ratio
2.86

Growth & Cash Flow

Gross Margin
86.36%
Operating Margin
31.44%
FCF Margin
29.96%
TTM Revenue Growth
6.20%
Projected 12M EPS Growth
96.43%

Price Change

Price % from 50 SMA
-4.33%
Price % from 200 SMA
-12.92%
6 Months
-19.73%
1 Year
5.20%
2 Years
-9.02%
Click here to see the list of ETFs containing CDNS as a top holding :CDNS ETFs

Analysis

Company Overview

Cadence Design Systems provides electronic design automation (EDA) software and semiconductor IP used to design chips and electronic systems. Sector: Technology.

Overview

Cadence Design Systems Inc (CDNS) is an individual stock. The analysis below presents key financial metrics for the company, covering profitability, capital efficiency, valuation, margins, and growth.

Profitability & Capital Efficiency

From a capital efficiency perspective, ROIC is 22.62%, WACC is 9.52%, and the economic spread is 13.10%. On balance, the company generate meaningful returns above their cost of capital, a hallmark of competitively advantaged businesses. Supporting metrics show ROE at 21.95% and ROA at 11.36%, a combination that helps frame whether profitability strength is broad enough to hold through different market conditions. Taken together, the return profile suggests a company with credible compounding capacity if current operating execution persists.

Valuation

Multiple analysis puts the company at trailing P/E of 68.65, forward P/E of 34.95, PEG of 2.23. The spread from trailing to forward multiple is wide enough to suggest earnings momentum is a meaningful part of the current valuation case. On a PEG basis, valuation is in the middle ground — fair for the growth on offer, with the return case resting on earnings delivery rather than re-rating. The current ratio of 2.86 indicates the company is well-positioned to meet near-term obligations. The combined valuation and liquidity profile points to a company where current prices embed meaningful growth expectations, and where delivery against those expectations will drive the return outcome.

Margins & Cash Generation

On the margin front: gross margin sits at 86.36%, operating margin at 31.44%, and free cash flow margin at 29.96%. At this gross margin level, the company demonstrates significant pricing power and production efficiency. The operating margin here is a standout — reflecting businesses that convert a large share of gross profit into operating earnings. At this FCF margin level, the company have considerable financial flexibility without reliance on external financing. This margin set supports the view that earnings quality is high and cash generation is not merely accounting-driven.

Growth & Forward Outlook

The two main inputs to the near-term picture — TTM revenue growth of 6.20% reflecting consistent if unspectacular revenue expansion. Consensus EPS estimates point to 96.4% earnings growth over the next 12 months — a compelling near-term earnings catalyst that, if delivered, changes the valuation conversation materially. Analyst price targets suggest street expectations imply a constructive but measured return profile on a 12-month view. Revenue momentum establishes the baseline; analyst price targets reveal how much the market is already paying for future execution on top of that baseline. Delivered returns will ultimately be shaped by the gap — or lack thereof — between operating execution and the expectations embedded in current prices. The estimated 12-month price change is based on analyst consensus price target estimates, sourced from publicly available data, and should not be interpreted as a reliable prediction of future performance.

Conclusion

Strong Buy

Across the metrics reviewed, the evidence is consistently constructive — quality, growth, and valuation are pulling in the same direction.

The analysis above draws from quantitative data only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. Investors should conduct independent research and consider professional guidance before acting on any information presented here.