AKAM vs. SNPS: Akamai vs. Synopsys Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS) both fall under the Software & Services industry group, but AKAM is classified in IT Services while SNPS is classified in Software.

Company profile comparison for Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS)
Profile Item	AKAM	SNPS
Name	Akamai Technologies, Inc.	Synopsys Inc.
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry Group	Software & Services	Software & Services
GICS Industry	IT Services	Software
GICS Sub-Industry	Internet Services & Infrastructure	Application Software
Market Capitalization	11.94 billion USD	86.32 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq	Nasdaq
Listing Date	October 29, 1999	February 26, 1992
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AKAM

SNPS

GSPC

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS)
Metric	AKAM	SNPS
Total Return (1Y)	-2.77%	18.77%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	-9.48%	-2.57%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	-5.72%	6.06%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AKAM

SNPS

GSPC

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS)
Metric	AKAM	SNPS
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	62.11%	45.03%
Beta (5Y)	0.69	1.17
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-51.69%	-43.02%
Avg. Volume (3M)	4.75M	2.11M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

AKAM and SNPS are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS)
Metric	AKAM	SNPS
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	-0.11	0.32
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	-0.17	0.49

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Akamai (AKAM) at 7.85% and Synopsys (SNPS) at 3.66% land near their industries’ usual ROE ranges, so capital efficiency looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

7.85%

Max: 53.85%
Q3: 17.90%
AKAM: 7.85%
Median: 6.59%
Q1: -9.59%
Min: -50.52%

SNPS

Software & Services industry group

3.66%

Max: 53.85%
Q3: 17.90%
Median: 6.59%
SNPS: 3.66%
Q1: -9.59%
Min: -50.52%

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS): A comparison of their ROE against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Akamai (AKAM) at 8.84% and Synopsys (SNPS) at 11.43% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

8.84%

Max: 41.17%
Q3: 15.28%
AKAM: 8.84%
Median: 4.63%
Q1: -5.42%
Min: -33.17%

SNPS

Software & Services industry group

11.43%

Max: 41.17%
Q3: 15.28%
SNPS: 11.43%
Median: 4.63%
Q1: -5.42%
Min: -33.17%

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS): A comparison of their net margin against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Akamai (AKAM) at 9.88% and Synopsys (SNPS) at 14.52% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

9.88%

Max: 46.89%
Q3: 17.64%
AKAM: 9.88%
Median: 8.73%
Q1: -2.13%
Min: -30.45%

SNPS

Software & Services industry group

14.52%

Max: 46.89%
Q3: 17.64%
SNPS: 14.52%
Median: 8.73%
Q1: -2.13%
Min: -30.45%

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS): A comparison of their operating margin against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS)
Metric	AKAM	SNPS
ROE (TTM)	7.85%	3.66%
ROA (TTM)	2.18%	1.35%
Net Margin (TTM)	8.84%	11.43%
Operating Margin (TTM)	9.88%	14.52%
Gross Margin (TTM)	56.39%	82.92%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Synopsys (SNPS) at 15.12% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Akamai (AKAM) at 5.44% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Akamai (AKAM) at -6.12% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while Synopsys (SNPS) at -44.59% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker earnings momentum.

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS)
Metric	AKAM	SNPS
Revenue Growth (YoY)	5.44%	15.12%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	5.18%	15.19%
EPS Growth (YoY)	-6.12%	-44.59%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	-1.98%	8.53%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Akamai (AKAM) at 2.13 and Synopsys (SNPS) at 1.34 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

2.13

Max: 5.11
Q3: 2.77
AKAM: 2.13
Median: 1.67
Q1: 1.01
Min: 0.03

SNPS

Software & Services industry group

1.34

Max: 5.11
Q3: 2.77
Median: 1.67
SNPS: 1.34
Q1: 1.01
Min: 0.03

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS): A comparison of their current ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Synopsys (SNPS) at 0.35 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Akamai (AKAM) at 1.84 uses more debt funding than most peers.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

1.84

Max: 2.52
AKAM: 1.84
Q3: 1.13
Median: 0.40
Q1: 0.07
Min: 0.00

SNPS

Software & Services industry group

0.35

Max: 2.52
Q3: 1.13
Median: 0.40
SNPS: 0.35
Q1: 0.07
Min: 0.00

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS)
Metric	AKAM	SNPS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.13	1.34
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	1.84	0.35
Net Debt / EBITDA	5.78	3.49

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Neither Akamai (AKAM) nor Synopsys (SNPS) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

AKAM: 0.00%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

SNPS

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

SNPS: 0.00%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Neither Akamai (AKAM) nor Synopsys (SNPS) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

AKAM: 0.00%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

SNPS

Software & Services industry group

0.00%

SNPS: 0.00%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS)
Metric	AKAM	SNPS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Akamai (AKAM) at 32.33 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Synopsys (SNPS) at 79.59 sits in the richer quartile — SNPS needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

32.33

Max: 112.94
Q3: 60.32
Median: 32.91
AKAM: 32.33
Q1: 18.77
Min: 6.69

SNPS

Software & Services industry group

79.59

Max: 112.94
SNPS: 79.59
Q3: 60.32
Median: 32.91
Q1: 18.77
Min: 6.69

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Akamai (AKAM) at 2.72 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Synopsys (SNPS) at 9.17 sits in the pricier quartile — SNPS costs more per dollar of sales.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

2.72

Max: 17.91
Q3: 8.78
Median: 4.25
AKAM: 2.72
Q1: 2.23
Min: 0.02

SNPS

Software & Services industry group

9.17

Max: 17.91
SNPS: 9.17
Q3: 8.78
Median: 4.25
Q1: 2.23
Min: 0.02

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

On P/B ratio, both Akamai (AKAM) at 2.32 and Synopsys (SNPS) at 2.77 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

AKAM

Software & Services industry group

2.32

Max: 16.63
Q3: 8.50
Median: 4.30
AKAM: 2.32
Q1: 1.92
Min: -3.90

SNPS

Software & Services industry group

2.77

Max: 16.63
Q3: 8.50
Median: 4.30
SNPS: 2.77
Q1: 1.92
Min: -3.90

Akamai (AKAM) vs. Synopsys (SNPS): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Software & Services industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Akamai (AKAM) and Synopsys (SNPS)
Metric	AKAM	SNPS
P/E Ratio (TTM)	32.33	79.59
P/S Ratio (TTM)	2.72	9.17
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	2.32	2.77
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	1.51%	3.97%