Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) vs Strategy (MSTR)
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 Strategy (MSTR) over the past year, gaining 3.1% versus a loss of 53.3%. Over five years, CDNS leads with a +128.6% price change compared with +104.5% for MSTR. Cadence Design Systems is the larger company by market cap ($98.07 billion vs $61.16 billion), about 1.6 times the size.
On valuation, Strategy trades at a lower forward P/E (3.1x vs 37.2x for Cadence Design Systems). Cadence Design Systems converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.9% versus -806.3%.
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 | MSTR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $356.12 | $153.37 |
| Market cap | $98.07B | $61.16B |
| 1-day change | -0.95% | -6.79% |
| YTD return | +13.93% | +0.93% |
| 1-year return | +3.08% | -53.30% |
| 5-year return | +128.60% | +104.53% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 70.80 | — |
| Forward P/E | 37.22 | 3.10 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.03 | $-99.08 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.30B | $477.23M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +14.12% | +2.97% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.11B | $-3.85B |
| Gross margin | — | 68.69% |
| Operating margin | 28.17% | -1140.82% |
| Net margin | 20.94% | -806.35% |
| 52-week high | $416.69 | $336.36 |
| 52-week low | $262.75 | $81.81 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.54% | -54.40% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +14.07% | +54.40% |
| Average volume | 2.39M | 21.54M |
| Shares outstanding | 275.39M | 379.11M |
| Employees | 15,445 | 1,539 |
| 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 MSTR by 56.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Cadence Design Systems is more profitable, keeping 20.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -806.3 cents for Strategy.
- Cadence Design Systems grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+14.12% vs +2.97%).
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 Strategy
MSTR stock →Strategy Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a bitcoin treasury company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally. It offers investors varying degrees of economic exposure to Bitcoin by offering a range of securities, including equity and fixed income instruments.
Technology · Computer Software: Prepackaged Software · 1,539 employees
CDNS vs MSTR FAQ
Which is bigger, Cadence Design Systems or Strategy?
Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $98.07B compared with $61.16B for Strategy (MSTR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CDNS or MSTR?
CDNS returned +3.08% over the past 12 months, compared with -53.30% for MSTR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Are Cadence Design Systems and Strategy in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Computer Software: Prepackaged Software industry within the Technology sector.