CDNS vs. CRCL: Cadence Design Systems vs. Circle Internet Stock Comparison
How do Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) and Circle Internet (CRCL) 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
Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) and Circle Internet (CRCL) are both classified in the Application Software sub-industry within the broader Software industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) carries decades of public-market history since June 10, 1987, while Circle Internet (CRCL) listed on June 5, 2025 — long-window comparisons have far more historical data on the CDNS side.
| Profile Item | CDNS | CRCL |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Cadence Design Systems, Inc. | Circle Internet Group, Inc. Class A |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Software & Services | Software & Services |
| GICS Industry | Software | Software |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Application Software | Application Software |
| Market Capitalization | 87.78 billion USD | 17.41 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 10, 1987 | June 5, 2025 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | CDNS | CRCL |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 3.07% | -33.88% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 9.32% | -- |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 12.93% | -- |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | CDNS | CRCL |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 42.21% | 96.01% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.09 | 0.84 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -34.21% | -80.93% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 2.41M | 12.74M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | CDNS | CRCL |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | -0.03 | -0.40 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | -0.04 | -0.61 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) at 22.87% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Circle Internet (CRCL) at 13.44% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for CDNS.
CDNS
Software & Services industry group
22.87%
- Max
- 53.85%
- CDNS
- 22.87%
- Q3
- 17.90%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- -9.59%
- Min
- -50.52%
CRCL
Software & Services industry group
13.44%
- Max
- 53.85%
- Q3
- 17.90%
- CRCL
- 13.44%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- -9.59%
- Min
- -50.52%
Net Margin (TTM)
Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) at 22.52% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of Circle Internet (CRCL) at 15.28%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.
CDNS
Software & Services industry group
22.52%
- Max
- 41.17%
- CDNS
- 22.52%
- Q3
- 15.28%
- Median
- 4.63%
- Q1
- -5.42%
- Min
- -33.17%
CRCL
Software & Services industry group
15.28%
- Max
- 41.17%
- CRCL
- 15.28%
- Q3
- 15.28%
- Median
- 4.63%
- Q1
- -5.42%
- Min
- -33.17%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) at 28.93% and Circle Internet (CRCL) at 24.09% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
CDNS
Software & Services industry group
28.93%
- Max
- 46.89%
- CDNS
- 28.93%
- Q3
- 17.64%
- Median
- 8.73%
- Q1
- -2.13%
- Min
- -30.45%
CRCL
Software & Services industry group
24.09%
- Max
- 46.89%
- CRCL
- 24.09%
- Q3
- 17.64%
- Median
- 8.73%
- Q1
- -2.13%
- Min
- -30.45%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | CDNS | CRCL |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 22.87% | 13.44% |
| ROA (TTM) | 10.52% | 0.28% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 22.52% | 15.28% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 28.93% | 24.09% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 85.68% | 26.58% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Circle Internet (CRCL) at 63.86% clears its industry range for revenue growth, far stronger top-line momentum than Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) at 14.12%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.
EPS Growth
Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) at 5.45% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while Circle Internet (CRCL) at -640.54% falls below its industry range, a notably weak earnings reading.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | CDNS | CRCL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 14.12% | 63.86% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 14.14% | 52.66% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 5.45% | -640.54% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 9.53% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) at 1.36 and Circle Internet (CRCL) at 1.04 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.
CDNS
Software & Services industry group
1.36
- Max
- 5.11
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.67
- CDNS
- 1.36
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.03
CRCL
Software & Services industry group
1.04
- Max
- 5.11
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.67
- CRCL
- 1.04
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.03
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Circle Internet (CRCL) at 0.00 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) at 0.41 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.
CDNS
Software & Services industry group
0.41
- Max
- 2.52
- Q3
- 1.13
- CDNS
- 0.41
- Median
- 0.40
- Q1
- 0.07
- Min
- 0.00
CRCL
Software & Services industry group
0.00
- Max
- 2.52
- Q3
- 1.13
- Median
- 0.40
- Q1
- 0.07
- CRCL
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | CDNS | CRCL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.36 | 1.04 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.41 | 0.00 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.57 | -4.68 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) nor Circle Internet (CRCL) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
CDNS
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- CDNS
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CRCL
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- CRCL
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Neither Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) nor Circle Internet (CRCL) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
CDNS
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- CDNS
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CRCL
Software & Services industry group
0.00%
- CRCL
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | CDNS | CRCL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Circle Internet (CRCL) at 40.89 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) at 63.60 sits in the richer quartile — CDNS needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
CDNS
Software & Services industry group
63.60
- Max
- 112.94
- CDNS
- 63.60
- Q3
- 60.32
- Median
- 32.91
- Q1
- 18.77
- Min
- 6.69
CRCL
Software & Services industry group
40.89
- Max
- 112.94
- Q3
- 60.32
- CRCL
- 40.89
- Median
- 32.91
- Q1
- 18.77
- Min
- 6.69
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Circle Internet (CRCL) at 5.75 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) at 14.31 sits in the pricier quartile — CDNS costs more per dollar of sales.
CDNS
Software & Services industry group
14.31
- Max
- 17.91
- CDNS
- 14.31
- Q3
- 8.78
- Median
- 4.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.02
CRCL
Software & Services industry group
5.75
- Max
- 17.91
- Q3
- 8.78
- CRCL
- 5.75
- Median
- 4.25
- Q1
- 2.23
- Min
- 0.02
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Circle Internet (CRCL) at 4.50 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) at 12.77 carries an above-peer premium to book — CDNS is pricier on assets.
CDNS
Software & Services industry group
12.77
- Max
- 16.63
- CDNS
- 12.77
- Q3
- 8.50
- Median
- 4.30
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- -3.90
CRCL
Software & Services industry group
4.50
- Max
- 16.63
- Q3
- 8.50
- CRCL
- 4.50
- Median
- 4.30
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- -3.90
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | CDNS | CRCL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 63.60 | 40.89 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 14.31 | 5.75 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 12.77 | 4.50 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 1.99% | 1.43% |