Cadence vs Workday (CDNS vs WDAY)

Cadence (CDNS) vs Workday (WDAY) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.

Cadence (CDNS) and Workday (WDAY) compete in software and cloud. Here are Cadence and Workday side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Cadence or Workday.

Cadence vs Workday: the figures

Cadence and Workday figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Cadence or Workday figure is not available, and we never estimate it.

3 key differences between Cadence and Workday

1. Valuation: Cadence trades at 65.5x its annual earnings and Workday at 41.1x; the market pays more for each dollar of Cadence profit, usually because it expects more growth.
2. Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Cadence keeps 22.5 as net profit and Workday keeps 12.3.
3. Growth: Cadence grew sales +22.0% year on year in its latest quarter, against +12.8% for Workday.

Cadence or Workday: which fits your profile

• If you want growth: Cadence is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
• If you prefer caution: Workday has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
• If price is what matters most to you: Workday trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.

Neither Cadence nor Workday wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.

How Cadence and Workday make money

Cadence (CDNS)

Cadence Design Systems provides software and hardware for designing and verifying chips and electronic systems. Its core is chip-design software, complemented by emulation and prototyping hardware, licensed intellectual property and system analysis tools. Customers include semiconductor firms plus consumer electronics, automotive and aerospace companies around the world. Full Cadence analysis.

Workday (WDAY)

Workday sells cloud software subscriptions that large and midsize organizations use to run human resources, from payroll and hiring to talent management, as well as their finance operations. Subscriptions account for nearly all revenue, with the remainder from implementation services. Customers are companies and public agencies, mostly in the United States. Full Workday analysis.

Frequently asked questions: Cadence vs Workday

Is Cadence or Workday the better stock?

Choosing between Cadence and Workday depends on what you are looking for. Cadence is growing faster right now, and Workday trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Cadence or Workday: it shows you the differences so you can decide.

Which pays a higher dividend, Cadence or Workday?

Neither pays a dividend as of November 4, 2026: Cadence and Workday put what they earn into growth or other forms of shareholder return.

Which is more expensive, Cadence or Workday?

On P/E, Cadence (65.5x) is more expensive than Workday (41.1x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.

Can I own both Cadence and Workday?

Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Cadence and Workday, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Cadence or Workday.

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• Autodesk vs Cadence
• Synopsys vs Workday
• Autodesk vs Workday

More companies like Cadence and Workday: software and cloud stocks. Educational content about Cadence and Workday, not investment advice.