Fundamental analysis · SEC EDGAR · TTM through 31/03/2026

Fundamental analysis of Cadence Design Systems Inc

CDNS · Nasdaq · Technology

Fundamental quality

ATTRACTIVE

84

out of 100

Cadence Design Systems Inc grows profitably: it increases revenue at double digits (14.8% a year) without giving up profitability (net margin 21.2%). On fundamental quality it scores 84 out of 100, profiling it as a company with solid fundamentals. Its weakest area is its growth (revenue +14.8%/yr). Whether it's cheap or expensive depends on the current price, which you can compute in the tool.

What the company does

Cadence Design Systems is, alongside Synopsys, one of the two giants of chip-design software (EDA). Its tools and IP are indispensable for creating any modern semiconductor, and it charges by subscription under multi-year contracts.

What will shape its future

  • The rise of custom chip design (big tech designing its own), which broadens its customer base.
  • The recurrence of its subscription revenue, with unusually high visibility.
  • Export restrictions on China and a demanding valuation, common for businesses of this quality.

Breakdown by area

I.Growth
72

EPS growth: 14.5% · Revenue growth: 14.8%

II.Profitability
84

Net margin: 21.2% · ROE: 17.8% · ROIC: 15%

III.Financial health
95

Net debt/EBITDA: 0.59x · FCF: 25.9%

Source: SEC EDGAR · TTM through 31/03/2026

The score combines growth, profitability and financial strength. Here its financial strength weighs in its favor, while its growth drags it down the most.

Versus its sector

Percentile against the other 101 Technology companies in our coverage: how far it beats them on each metric (100 = best in sector).

Net marginbeats 66%
ROEbeats 53%
Growthbeats 54%
Cash generationbeats 62%
Less debtbeats 54%

Computed from the daily dataset scores. A high percentile places the company among the best in its sector on that metric; it is not a buy recommendation.

Key concepts

What do these metrics mean? Fundamental analysis · What is the P/E · What is EPS · What is ROE · Net & gross margin · Free cash flow

Cadence Design Systems Inc strengths

  • Excellent free-cash-flow generation (FCF margin of 25.9%): profit turns into real cash.
  • High net margin (21.2%): the business is clearly profitable.
  • Revenue growing (14.8% annualized).
  • Revenue rising without interruption since 2021.

Cadence Design Systems Inc risks and weaknesses

  • No clear weaknesses in the recent fundamentals, though the system doesn't assess qualitative factors (competition, regulation, management).

Cadence Design Systems Inc historical evolution

YearRevenueNet incomeFree cash flowNet debt
20212,683591810-582
20222,9886961,036-741
20223,5628491,119-234
20234,0901,0411,247-708
20244,6411,0551,118-168
20255,2971,1091,587-521

Between 2021 and 2025, revenue went from $2,683M to $5,297M (+97%) and net income went from $591M to $1,109M (+88%).

Annual figures in millions of U.S. dollars ($M) per SEC filings. Net debt is total debt minus cash.

Latest results

Versus the same period a year earlier

Figures for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, versus the quarter ended March 31, 2025 (SEC filings):

  • Revenue+18.7%
  • Net income+22.7%

Automatic comparison between the two most recent periods filed with the SEC. One quarter doesn't make a trend: read it alongside the historical evolution above.

Dividend

This company doesn't pay a dividend: it reinvests all its earnings back into the business.

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Is Cadence Design Systems Inc cheap or expensive?

That depends on the current price. Look it up, enter it in the tool and get the full valuation verdict (P/E against its sector).

Compute the valuation →

Frequently asked questions

Is Cadence Design Systems Inc a good company to invest in?

In terms of business quality, Cadence Design Systems Inc scores 84 out of 100 in our analysis, placing it as a company of high fundamental quality. That said, this isn't a recommendation: whether it's a good investment also depends on its current price and your goals.

Is Cadence Design Systems Inc a profitable company?

Very. Cadence Design Systems Inc shows a net margin of 21.2% and an ROE of 17.8%, typical of a highly profitable business.

Does Cadence Design Systems Inc have a lot of debt?

Not particularly. Its net debt is 0.59 times its EBITDA, a low level.

Is Cadence Design Systems Inc growing?

Its revenue has grown 14.8% annualized in recent years and its earnings per share 14.5%, and without interruption since 2021.

Does Cadence Design Systems Inc generate cash?

Yes. It converts about 25.9% of its revenue into free cash flow, and has done so positively year after year.

The thresholds are general and the system doesn't judge qualitative factors. See the full methodology and use this analysis as a first filter, never as a final decision.

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