WallStSmart

Cadence Design Systems Inc (CDNS)vsGoldman Sachs Group Inc (GS)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Goldman Sachs Group Inc generates 1013% more annual revenue ($61.53B vs $5.53B). GS leads profitability with a 29.4% profit margin vs 21.2%. GS appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.62. GS earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 73/100 (B).

CDNS

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

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

GS

Strong Buy

73

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.0Profit: 7.5Value: 5.0Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 0.14

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

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

GS5 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Market CapQuality
$314.06B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Operating MarginProfitability
38.6%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 38.6%

Profit MarginProfitability
29.4%9/10

Keeps 29 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Price/BookValuation
2.9x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
24.2%8/10

Earnings expanding 24.2% YoY

Areas to Watch

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

GS4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.624/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-32.43B2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.142/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
6.101/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

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.

Bull Case : GS

The strongest argument for GS centers on Market Cap, Operating Margin, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 29.4% and operating margin at 38.6%. Revenue growth of 14.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

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.

Bear Case : GS

The primary concerns for GS are PEG Ratio, Free Cash Flow, Altman Z-Score. Debt-to-equity of 6.10 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CDNS profiles as a growth stock while GS is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

GS carries more volatility with a beta of 1.27 — 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

GS scores higher overall (73/100 vs 62/100), backed by strong 29.4% margins and 14.5% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

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

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.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CAPITAL MARKETS · USA

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in New York City. It offers services in investment management, securities, asset management, prime brokerage, and securities underwriting. It also provides investment banking to institutional investors.

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