ASTS vs. CDNS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASTS and CDNS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
CDNS’s market capitalization of 89.23 billion USD is significantly greater than ASTS’s 15.96 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
ASTS’s beta of 2.02 points to significantly higher volatility compared to CDNS (beta: 0.98), suggesting ASTS has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
| Symbol | ASTS | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AST SpaceMobile, Inc. | Cadence Design Systems, Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Communication Equipment | Software - Application |
| CEO | Abel Avellan | Anirudh Devgan |
| Price | 45.6 USD | 326.81 USD |
| Market Cap | 15.96 billion USD | 89.23 billion USD |
| Beta | 2.02 | 0.98 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | November 1, 2019 | June 10, 1987 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASTS 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
ASTS
-76.72%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.07%
- Q3
- 8.07%
- Median
- 1.84%
- Q1
- -11.93%
- Min
- -31.65%
ASTS has a negative Return on Equity of -76.72%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
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
ASTS
-19.41%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.59%
- Q3
- 6.61%
- Median
- 2.97%
- Q1
- -2.58%
- Min
- -13.18%
ASTS has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -19.41%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
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
ASTS
-7,033.20%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 9.21%
- Median
- 2.46%
- Q1
- -8.56%
- Min
- -29.87%
ASTS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -7,033.20%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
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
ASTS
-5,397.45%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.72%
- Q3
- 11.64%
- Median
- 5.79%
- Q1
- -2.28%
- Min
- -18.20%
ASTS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -5,397.45%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
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 | ASTS | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -76.72% | 22.02% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -23.81% | 12.00% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -19.41% | 14.22% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -7033.20% | 22.19% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -5397.45% | 30.00% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -486.80% | 85.86% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ASTS
10.62
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 2.59
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.32
- Min
- 0.86
ASTS’s Current Ratio of 10.62 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
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
ASTS
0.02
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.02
Falling into the lower quartile for the Communication Equipment industry, ASTS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.02 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
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
ASTS
-52.83
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.12
- Q3
- 9.22
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- -0.75
- Min
- -12.07
ASTS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -52.83. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
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 | ASTS | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 10.62 | 3.07 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 10.62 | 2.90 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.02 | 0.52 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.27 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.82 | -0.17 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -52.83 | 15.17 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ASTS 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
ASTS
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.72%
- Q3
- 0.38%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASTS 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
ASTS
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 91.96%
- Q3
- 26.44%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASTS 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 | ASTS | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ASTS
-31.32
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.37
- Q3
- 41.98
- Median
- 30.61
- Q1
- 23.44
- Min
- 2.14
ASTS has a negative P/E Ratio of -31.32. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
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
ASTS
15.35
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 15.97
- Q3
- 6.99
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.05
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Communication Equipment 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
ASTS
5,043.28
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.38
- Q3
- 3.88
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.37
With a P/S Ratio of 5,043.28, ASTS trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Communication Equipment 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
ASTS
13.32
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 14.42
- Q3
- 7.01
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.41
ASTS’s P/B Ratio of 13.32 is in the upper tier for the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
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 | ASTS | CDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | -31.32 | 82.19 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 15.35 | 11.37 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5043.28 | 18.31 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 13.32 | 18.61 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -64.66 | 64.74 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | -47.80 | 50.94 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 4858.60 | 18.24 |