Home Compare ASML.AS vs CDNS
Stock Comparison · Comparison

ASML Holding N.V. vs Cadence Design Systems: Which Stock Looks Stronger in 2026?

ASML leads structurally, with profitability as the clearest single gap between the two profiles. Cadence Design Systems still has the edge on stability, which keeps the comparison from looking entirely one-sided. On the market side, ASML is in better shape — its trend is intact while Cadence Design Systems's trend has broken down. That puts structure and market broadly in agreement — ASML's lead looks more confirmed than conflicted.

The comparison is based on similar long-term financial trajectories, not sector labels.

Updated 2026-04-05

The comparison is mainly decided in profitability, with the rest of the profile carrying less weight.

Trajectory Similarity
0.69
Moderately similar
Peer-set rank: #10
within ASML Holding N.V.'s functional peer set

This comparison is anchored in long-term financial trajectory similarity within the selected peer universe.

A moderate similarity means the pair is structurally comparable, but not a near-twin trajectory match.

The clearest structural overlap shows up in capital structure and recent revenue growth.

Similarity drivers
capital structurerecent revenue growth
How to read the score
0.85–1.00 · Very similar0.70–0.84 · Similar0.55–0.69 · Moderately similarbelow 0.55 · Loose match
Peer-Relative Score
ASML.AS
ASML Holding N.V.
56
Peer-Score
Signal qualityMedium
vs
CDNS
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
49
Peer-Score
Signal qualityHigh

Scores reflect position relative to comparable companies with similar long-term financial trajectories.

Score differences across key dimensions.

Dimension spread: ASML.AS vs CDNS Profitability 89 63 Stability 44 56 Valuation 31 34 Growth 54 46 ASML.AS CDNS
Gap Ranking
#1 Profitability +26
#2 Stability +12
#3 Growth +8
#4 Valuation +3
Price Setup

Left means cheaper relative valuation. Higher means stronger structure.

Price setup map for ASML.AS and CDNS Stronger + cheaper Stronger + richer Weaker + cheaper Weaker + richer ASML.ASCDNS Relative valuation Structural strength

The setup is mixed: neither company clearly combines the stronger profile with the more supportive price setup.

Valuation position uses peer-relative PE percentile (idx_pct_pe) where available.

Relative Position vs Comparable Companies
Profitability
Both profiles are strong on profitability, but ASML Holding N.V. leads clearly.
Stability
On stability, the same pattern holds: both rank well, but Cadence Design Systems, Inc. still sits higher.
Profitability — Dominant Gap
ASML.AS
89
CDNS
63
Gap+26in favour of ASML.AS

Capital efficiency adds support, with a 63-point ROIC advantage.

What keeps the gap from being one-sided

A meaningful counterforce remains in stability, which keeps the comparison from looking completely one-sided.

What this means for the comparison

The structural lead holds, but stability runs the other way and the price setup still favours Cadence Design Systems, Inc. — the result is clear, not clean.

Explore full peer positioning in AssetNext

Break down the ASML.AS vs CDNS comparison across all dimensions with the full interactive tool.

Explore full breakdown →
Similar profitability-driven comparisons

Explore how ASML.AS and CDNS each compare against other companies in their peer groups.

Rule-based, descriptive analysis only. Derived from peer percentile dimensions. Not investment advice. Peer groups are determined algorithmically based on structural similarity — not by sector classification alone.

How AssetNext Peer Scores Work

AssetNext scores reflect each company's structural position within its functional peer group — not a ranking against all stocks simultaneously. Peers are identified by similarity across eight financial dimensions, including revenue growth trajectory, margin structure, capital intensity, and earnings stability. A score of 75 means the company ranks in the top quartile within its own peer group, not the entire market.

Four dimension scores drive the overall peer score: Growth (revenue trajectory and expansion dynamics), Quality (margin structure and capital efficiency), Valuation (peer-relative pricing on standard multiples), and Stability (earnings consistency and financial predictability). Each dimension is scored 0–100 relative to the peer group, then combined into an overall peer score using equal weighting.

Scores are recalculated periodically as underlying financial data is updated. All analysis is descriptive and rule-based — AssetNext describes structural realities and never issues buy, sell or hold recommendations.