MetaCap

Adeia (ADEA) vs Cadence Design Systems (CDNS)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

Adeia (ADEA) has outperformed Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) over the past year, gaining 42.2% versus a gain of 3.1%. Over five years, ADEA leads with a +200.7% price change compared with +128.6% for CDNS. Cadence Design Systems is the larger company by market cap ($96.60 billion vs $2.64 billion), about 36.5 times the size, while Adeia is growing revenue faster (+17.9% vs +14.1%).

On valuation, Adeia trades at a lower forward P/E (15.0x vs 36.7x for Cadence Design Systems). Adeia pays a dividend yielding 0.83%, while Cadence Design Systems does not currently pay one. Adeia converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 25.1% versus 20.9%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

ADEA+42.25%CDNS+3.08%
+103%+33%-38%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
ADEA+207.78%CDNS+137.22%
+335%+147%-40%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

ADEA versus CDNS key metrics
MetricADEACDNS
Share price$23.98$350.78
Market cap$2.64B$96.60B
1-day change-1.36%-1.50%
YTD return+40.93%+13.93%
1-year return+42.25%+3.08%
5-year return+200.67%+128.60%
P/E ratio (TTM)22.0069.74
Forward P/E14.9836.66
EPS (TTM)$1.09$5.03
Dividend yield0.83%0.00%
Annual dividend$0.20$0.00
Revenue (latest FY)$443.39M$5.30B
Revenue growth (YoY)+17.91%+14.12%
Net income (latest FY)$111.08M$1.11B
Operating margin39.47%28.17%
Net margin25.05%20.94%
52-week high$34.34$416.69
52-week low$11.61$262.75
Distance from 52-week high-30.17%-15.82%
Analyst consensusstrong_buystrong_buy
Avg. price target upside+79.32%+15.81%
Average volume1.06M2.40M
Shares outstanding110.28M275.39M
Employees15015,445
SectorTelecommunicationsTechnology
IndustryCable & Other Pay Television ServicesComputer 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

  • Cadence Design Systems is about 36.5 times larger than Adeia by market value ($96.60B vs $2.64B).
  • ADEA has outperformed CDNS by 39.2 percentage points over the past year.
  • Cadence Design Systems trades at a higher earnings multiple (69.7x vs 22.0x trailing P/E).
  • The two companies sit in different sectors: Adeia in Telecommunications and Cadence Design Systems in Technology.

About Adeia

ADEA stock →

Adeia Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a media and semiconductor intellectual property licensing platform company in the United States, Asia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and internationally. The company licenses its patent portfolios across various markets, including multichannel video programming distributors comprising cable, satellite, and telecommunications television providers that aggregate and distribute linear content over networks, as well as television providers that aggregate and stream linear content over broadband networks; over-the-top video service providers, such as subscription video-on-demand and free advertising-supported streaming service providers, providers that offer online services and devices that enable internet streaming and downloading of movies, television shows, music and other types of media content, as well as content providers, networks, and media companies.

Telecommunications · Cable & Other Pay Television Services · 150 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

ADEA vs CDNS FAQ

Which is bigger, Adeia or Cadence Design Systems?

Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $96.60B compared with $2.64B for Adeia (ADEA).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, ADEA or CDNS?

ADEA returned +42.25% over the past 12 months, compared with +3.08% for CDNS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, ADEA or CDNS?

ADEA has the lower trailing P/E at 22.0, versus 69.7 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.

Which pays a higher dividend, Adeia or Cadence Design Systems?

Adeia pays a dividend yielding 0.83%, while Cadence Design Systems does not currently pay a regular dividend.

Are Adeia and Cadence Design Systems in the same industry?

No. Adeia is in the Telecommunications sector, while Cadence Design Systems is in Technology.

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