WallStSmart

Cadence Design Systems Inc (CDNS)vsMicrosoft Corporation (MSFT)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Microsoft Corporation generates 5667% more annual revenue ($305.45B vs $5.30B). MSFT leads profitability with a 39.0% profit margin vs 20.9%. MSFT appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.34. MSFT earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

CDNS

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.7Profit: 8.5Value: 3.0Quality: 7.3
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 3.13

MSFT

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.7Profit: 9.5Value: 4.7Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.51
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

Intrinsic value data unavailable for CDNS.

MSFTSignificantly Overvalued (-85.3%)

Margin of Safety

-85.3%

Fair Value

$229.04

Current Price

$424.46

$195.42 premium

UndervaluedFair: $229.04Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CDNS5 strengths · Avg: 9.4/10
Operating MarginProfitability
32.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 32.8%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.1310/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Market CapQuality
$91.55B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Return on EquityProfitability
21.9%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 22 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
20.9%9/10

Keeps 21 of every $100 in revenue as profit

MSFT6 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Market CapQuality
$3.16T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
34.4%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 34 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
39.0%10/10

Keeps 39 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
47.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 47.1%

EPS GrowthGrowth
59.8%10/10

Earnings expanding 59.8% YoY

Free Cash FlowQuality
$15.80B10/10

Generating 15.8B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

CDNS4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Price/BookValuation
16.4x4/10

Trading at 16.4x book value

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
2.912/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
81.9x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

MSFT2 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
26.6x4/10

Moderate valuation

Price/BookValuation
8.1x4/10

Trading at 8.1x book value

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : CDNS

The strongest argument for CDNS centers on Operating Margin, Altman Z-Score, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.9% and operating margin at 32.8%.

Bull Case : MSFT

The strongest argument for MSFT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 39.0% and operating margin at 47.1%. Revenue growth of 16.7% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : CDNS

The primary concerns for CDNS are Price/Book, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio. A P/E of 81.9x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : MSFT

The primary concerns for MSFT are P/E Ratio, Price/Book.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

MSFT carries more volatility with a beta of 1.11 — expect wider price swings.

MSFT is growing revenue faster at 16.7% — sustainability is the question.

MSFT generates stronger free cash flow (15.8B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

MSFT scores higher overall (74/100 vs 62/100), backed by strong 39.0% margins and 16.7% 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.

Microsoft Corporation

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company which produces computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services. Its best known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and the Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. Its flagship hardware products are the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft Surface lineup of touchscreen personal computers. Microsoft ranked No. 21 in the 2020 Fortune 500 rankings of the largest United States corporations by total revenue; it was the world's largest software maker by revenue as of 2016. It is considered one of the Big Five companies in the U.S. information technology industry, along with Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook.

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