WallStSmart

Affirm Holdings Inc (AFRM)vsCadence Design Systems Inc (CDNS)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Cadence Design Systems Inc generates 39% more annual revenue ($5.53B vs $3.97B). CDNS leads profitability with a 21.2% profit margin vs 9.6%. AFRM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.72. AFRM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 63/100 (C+).

AFRM

Buy

63

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 10.0Profit: 5.5Value: 5.0Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 1.31

CDNS

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

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

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AFRM3 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
32.6%10/10

Revenue surging 32.6% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
3529.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 3529.0% YoY

PEG RatioValuation
0.728/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

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

AFRM3 concerns · Avg: 1.7/10
P/E RatioValuation
66.4x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.312/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
2.361/10

Elevated debt levels

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 : AFRM

The strongest argument for AFRM centers on Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, PEG Ratio. Revenue growth of 32.6% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.72 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its 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 : AFRM

The primary concerns for AFRM are P/E Ratio, Altman Z-Score, Debt/Equity. A P/E of 66.4x leaves little room for execution misses. Debt-to-equity of 2.36 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

AFRM profiles as a hypergrowth stock while CDNS is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

AFRM carries more volatility with a beta of 3.72 — expect wider price swings.

AFRM is growing revenue faster at 32.6% — sustainability is the question.

AFRM generates stronger free cash flow (325M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

AFRM scores higher overall (63/100 vs 62/100) and 32.6% revenue growth. Both earn "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.

Affirm Holdings Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Affirm Holdings, Inc. operates a platform for digital and mobile commerce in the United States and Canada. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

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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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