Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) vs Salesforce (CRM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) has outperformed Salesforce (CRM) over the past year, gaining 3.1% versus a loss of 6.3%. Over five years, CDNS leads with a +128.6% price change compared with -23.0% for CRM. Salesforce is the larger company by market cap ($184.81 billion vs $98.07 billion), about 1.9 times the size, while Cadence Design Systems is growing revenue faster (+14.1% vs +9.6%).
On valuation, Salesforce trades at a lower forward P/E (14.0x vs 37.2x for Cadence Design Systems). Salesforce pays a dividend yielding 0.76%, while Cadence Design Systems does not currently pay one. Cadence Design Systems converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.9% versus 18.0%.
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 | CDNS | CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $356.12 | $224.56 |
| Market cap | $98.07B | $184.81B |
| 1-day change | -0.95% | -0.19% |
| YTD return | +13.93% | -15.23% |
| 1-year return | +3.08% | -6.33% |
| 5-year return | +128.60% | -23.01% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 70.80 | 20.55 |
| Forward P/E | 37.22 | 14.02 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.03 | $10.93 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.76% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.71 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.30B | $41.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +14.12% | +9.58% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.11B | $7.46B |
| Gross margin | — | 77.68% |
| Operating margin | 28.17% | 20.06% |
| Net margin | 20.94% | 17.96% |
| 52-week high | $416.69 | $269.11 |
| 52-week low | $262.75 | $146.32 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.54% | -16.55% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +14.07% | +26.18% |
| Average volume | 2.39M | 13.52M |
| Shares outstanding | 275.39M | 823.00M |
| Employees | 15,445 | 83,334 |
| 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
- Cadence Design Systems trades at a higher earnings multiple (70.8x vs 20.5x trailing P/E).
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
About Salesforce
CRM stock →Salesforce, Inc. provides customer relationship management technology services that connect companies and customers together in the United States, Europe, and the Asia Pacific.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 83,334 employees
CDNS vs CRM FAQ
Which is bigger, Cadence Design Systems or Salesforce?
Salesforce (CRM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $184.81B compared with $98.07B for Cadence Design Systems (CDNS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CDNS or CRM?
CDNS returned +3.08% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.33% for CRM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CDNS or CRM?
CRM has the lower trailing P/E at 20.5, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, Cadence Design Systems or Salesforce?
Salesforce pays a dividend yielding 0.76%, while Cadence Design Systems does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Cadence Design Systems and Salesforce in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Computer Software: Prepackaged Software industry within the Technology sector.