Adobe (ADBE) vs Cadence Design Systems (CDNS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) has outperformed Adobe (ADBE) over the past year, gaining 3.1% versus a loss of 33.2%. Over five years, CDNS leads with a +128.6% price change compared with -61.9% for ADBE. Cadence Design Systems is the larger company by market cap ($98.07 billion vs $90.59 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Adobe trades at a lower forward P/E (8.4x vs 37.2x for Cadence Design Systems). Adobe converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 30.0% versus 20.9%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ADBE | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $232.77 | $356.12 |
| Market cap | $90.59B | $98.07B |
| 1-day change | -2.25% | -0.95% |
| YTD return | -33.49% | +13.93% |
| 1-year return | -33.17% | +3.08% |
| 5-year return | -61.91% | +128.60% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.00 | 70.80 |
| Forward P/E | 8.41 | 37.22 |
| EPS (TTM) | $17.91 | $5.03 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $23.77B | $5.30B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.53% | +14.12% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $7.13B | $1.11B |
| Gross margin | 89.27% | — |
| Operating margin | 36.63% | 28.17% |
| Net margin | 30.00% | 20.94% |
| 52-week high | $363.70 | $416.69 |
| 52-week low | $190.12 | $262.75 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -36.00% | -14.54% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.17% | +14.07% |
| Average volume | 5.01M | 2.39M |
| Shares outstanding | 389.20M | 275.39M |
| Employees | 31,360 | 15,445 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Computer Software: Prepackaged Software | Computer Software: Prepackaged Software |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- CDNS has outperformed ADBE by 36.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Cadence Design Systems trades at a higher earnings multiple (70.8x vs 13.0x trailing P/E).
- Adobe is more profitable, keeping 30.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 20.9 cents for Cadence Design Systems.
About Adobe
ADBE stock →Adobe Inc. operates as a technology company worldwide.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 31,360 employees
About Cadence Design Systems
CDNS stock →Cadence Design Systems, Inc. develops computational, AI-driven software, hardware, and silicon intellectual property products and solutions.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 15,445 employees
ADBE vs CDNS FAQ
Which is bigger, Adobe or Cadence Design Systems?
Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $98.07B compared with $90.59B for Adobe (ADBE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ADBE or CDNS?
CDNS returned +3.08% over the past 12 months, compared with -33.17% for ADBE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ADBE or CDNS?
ADBE has the lower trailing P/E at 13.0, versus 70.8 for CDNS. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are Adobe and Cadence Design Systems in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Computer Software: Prepackaged Software industry within the Technology sector.