WallStSmart

Blackline Inc (BL)vsCadence Design Systems Inc (CDNS)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Cadence Design Systems Inc generates 671% more annual revenue ($5.53B vs $716.65M). CDNS leads profitability with a 21.2% profit margin vs 3.7%. CDNS appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 3.93. CDNS earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 62/100 (C+).

BL

Hold

43

out of 100

Grade: D

Growth: 8.0Profit: 4.5Value: 4.7Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.87

CDNS

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 8.5Value: 3.0Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 3.09
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

BLUndervalued (+51.8%)

Margin of Safety

+51.8%

Fair Value

$86.84

Current Price

$28.66

$58.18 discount

UndervaluedFair: $86.84Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for CDNS.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

BL1 strengths · Avg: 8.0/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
37.7%8/10

Earnings expanding 37.7% YoY

CDNS6 strengths · Avg: 8.7/10
Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.0910/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Market CapQuality
$114.85B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
21.2%9/10

Keeps 21 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
29.7%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 29.7%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
18.7%8/10

18.7% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
23.0%8/10

Earnings expanding 23.0% YoY

Areas to Watch

BL4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Market CapQuality
$1.69B3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Profit MarginProfitability
3.7%3/10

3.7% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
4.3%3/10

Operating margin of 4.3%

PEG RatioValuation
4.542/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

CDNS3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
Price/BookValuation
15.8x4/10

Trading at 15.8x book value

PEG RatioValuation
3.932/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
96.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : BL

The strongest argument for BL centers on EPS Growth.

Bull Case : CDNS

The strongest argument for CDNS centers on Altman Z-Score, Market Cap, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 21.2% and operating margin at 29.7%. Revenue growth of 18.7% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : BL

The primary concerns for BL are Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. A P/E of 68.4x leaves little room for execution misses. Debt-to-equity of 2.25 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : CDNS

The primary concerns for CDNS are Price/Book, PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 96.6x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

BL profiles as a value stock while CDNS is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

CDNS carries more volatility with a beta of 1.13 — expect wider price swings.

CDNS is growing revenue faster at 18.7% — sustainability is the question.

CDNS generates stronger free cash flow (307M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

CDNS scores higher overall (62/100 vs 43/100), backed by strong 21.2% margins and 18.7% revenue growth. BL offers better value entry with a 51.8% margin of safety. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Blackline Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - APPLICATION · USA

BlackLine, Inc. offers cloud-based solutions to automate and streamline accounting and finance operations in the United States and internationally. The company is headquartered in Woodland Hills, California.

Cadence Design Systems Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - APPLICATION · USA

Cadence Design Systems, Inc., headquartered in San Jose, California, is an American multinational computational software company. The company produces software, hardware and silicon structures for designing integrated circuits, systems on chips (SoCs) and printed circuit boards.

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