WallStSmart

Cadence Design Systems Inc (CDNS)vsMastercard Inc (MA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Mastercard Inc generates 514% more annual revenue ($33.94B vs $5.53B). MA leads profitability with a 45.9% profit margin vs 21.2%. MA appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.58. MA earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B).

CDNS

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

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

MA

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.0Profit: 10.0Value: 5.0Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 4.08

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

MA6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$422.07B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
231.6%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 232 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
45.9%10/10

Keeps 46 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
60.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 60.8%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.0810/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Revenue GrowthGrowth
15.8%8/10

15.8% revenue growth

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

MA4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.584/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
27.6x4/10

Moderate valuation

Price/BookValuation
64.8x2/10

Trading at 64.8x book value

Debt/EquityHealth
2.821/10

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 : MA

The strongest argument for MA centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 45.9% and operating margin at 60.8%. Revenue growth of 15.8% 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 : MA

The primary concerns for MA are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. Debt-to-equity of 2.82 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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.

MA generates stronger free cash flow (2.8B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor SOFTWARE - APPLICATION industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

MA scores higher overall (70/100 vs 62/100), backed by strong 45.9% margins and 15.8% 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.

Mastercard Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Mastercard Incorporated is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in the Mastercard International Global Headquarters in Purchase, New York. The Global Operations Headquarters is located in O'Fallon, Missouri, a municipality of St. Charles County, Missouri. Throughout the world, its principal business is to process payments between the banks of merchants and the card-issuing banks or credit unions of the purchasers who use the Mastercard brand debit, credit and prepaid cards to make purchases. Mastercard Worldwide has been a publicly traded company since 2006.

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