ARM vs. CDNS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ARM and CDNS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ARM’s market capitalization of 163.93 billion USD is substantially larger than CDNS’s 89.23 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
ARM’s beta of 4.10 points to significantly higher volatility compared to CDNS (beta: 0.98), suggesting ARM has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
ARM trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, CDNS is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ARM | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Arm Holdings plc American Depositary Shares | Cadence Design Systems, Inc. |
| Country | GB | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Software - Application |
| CEO | Rene Anthony Andrada Haas | Anirudh Devgan |
| Price | 155.09 USD | 326.81 USD |
| Market Cap | 163.93 billion USD | 89.23 billion USD |
| Beta | 4.10 | 0.98 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | September 14, 2023 | June 10, 1987 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ARM and CDNS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ARM
12.71%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 41.84%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- -5.54%
- Min
- -30.12%
ARM’s Return on Equity of 12.71% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
CDNS
22.02%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 17.85%
- Median
- 4.73%
- Q1
- -10.56%
- Min
- -52.94%
In the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry, CDNS’s Return on Equity of 22.02% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
ARM
11.37%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 30.91%
- Q3
- 11.34%
- Median
- 4.08%
- Q1
- -2.17%
- Min
- -19.59%
In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, ARM’s Return on Invested Capital of 11.37% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
CDNS
14.22%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 35.07%
- Q3
- 9.72%
- Median
- 0.76%
- Q1
- -8.68%
- Min
- -34.12%
In the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry, CDNS’s Return on Invested Capital of 14.22% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
ARM
19.77%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 51.69%
- Q3
- 19.67%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- -5.44%
- Min
- -38.60%
A Net Profit Margin of 19.77% places ARM in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
CDNS
22.19%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 16.07%
- Median
- 1.83%
- Q1
- -9.60%
- Min
- -45.64%
A Net Profit Margin of 22.19% places CDNS in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
ARM
20.74%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 22.12%
- Median
- 8.40%
- Q1
- -3.73%
- Min
- -36.14%
ARM’s Operating Profit Margin of 20.74% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
CDNS
30.00%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 51.67%
- Q3
- 15.35%
- Median
- 1.79%
- Q1
- -12.42%
- Min
- -45.17%
An Operating Profit Margin of 30.00% places CDNS in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.71% | 22.02% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.87% | 12.00% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 11.37% | 14.22% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.77% | 22.19% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.74% | 30.00% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 95.83% | 85.86% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ARM
5.20
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 9.10
- Q3
- 5.23
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 1.02
ARM’s Current Ratio of 5.20 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
CDNS
3.07
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 5.09
- Q3
- 2.84
- Median
- 1.70
- Q1
- 1.12
- Min
- 0.04
CDNS’s Current Ratio of 3.07 is in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ARM
0.05
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 0.97
- Q3
- 0.46
- Median
- 0.21
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
ARM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.05 is typical for the Semiconductors industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
CDNS
0.52
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 1.85
- Q3
- 0.77
- Median
- 0.18
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
CDNS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.52 is typical for the Software - Application industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ARM
--
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 36.25
- Q3
- 29.12
- Median
- 7.01
- Q1
- -1.22
- Min
- -18.18
Interest Coverage Ratio data for ARM is currently unavailable.
CDNS
15.17
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 39.23
- Q3
- 8.55
- Median
- 1.48
- Q1
- -14.59
- Min
- -39.97
CDNS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 15.17 is in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 5.20 | 3.07 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 5.20 | 2.90 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.05 | 0.52 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.04 | 0.27 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -2.31 | -0.17 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 15.17 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ARM and CDNS. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ARM
0.00%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 0.93%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ARM currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
CDNS
0.00%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 3.66%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CDNS currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ARM
0.00%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 204.29%
- Q3
- 31.85%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ARM has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
CDNS
0.00%
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 81.09%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CDNS has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ARM
206.59
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 86.15
- Q3
- 47.38
- Median
- 27.87
- Q1
- 18.89
- Min
- 4.73
At 206.59, ARM’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Semiconductors industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
CDNS
82.19
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 194.31
- Q3
- 98.56
- Median
- 51.87
- Q1
- 22.76
- Min
- 1.02
CDNS’s P/E Ratio of 82.19 is within the middle range for the Software - Application industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ARM
7.75
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 4.73
- Q3
- 2.80
- Median
- 1.11
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.01
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Semiconductors industry.
CDNS
11.37
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 15.44
- Q3
- 6.57
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.00
A Forward PEG Ratio of 11.37 places CDNS in the upper quartile for the Software - Application industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ARM
40.91
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 21.96
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 4.45
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.48
With a P/S Ratio of 40.91, ARM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Semiconductors industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
CDNS
18.31
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 23.49
- Q3
- 11.14
- Median
- 5.62
- Q1
- 2.84
- Min
- 0.33
CDNS’s P/S Ratio of 18.31 is in the upper echelon for the Software - Application industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ARM
23.92
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 13.12
- Q3
- 6.49
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.23
At 23.92, ARM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Semiconductors industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
CDNS
18.61
Software - Application Industry
- Max
- 21.03
- Q3
- 10.49
- Median
- 6.36
- Q1
- 2.89
- Min
- 0.12
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Software - Application industry.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ARM | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 206.59 | 82.19 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 7.75 | 11.37 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 40.91 | 18.31 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 23.92 | 18.61 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 1011.91 | 64.74 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 216.85 | 50.94 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 40.48 | 18.24 |