Shares of semiconductor design software company Cadence Design Systems (CDNS 3.15%) were rallying on Tuesday, and up by 12.4% as of 2:55 p.m. ET.
Cadence is one of two major firms producing software that enables chipmakers to design semiconductors. With more and more companies now designing their own semiconductors, and with the major chip companies diversifying their offerings, Cadence made news Monday night by delivering a third-quarter report featuring accelerating growth and a strong forecast for even more in the current quarter.
NASDAQ: CDNS
Key Data Points
Accelerating growth bringing Cadence's 2024 figures up to par
In the third quarter, Cadence's revenue grew by 19% to $1.215 billion, slightly beating expectations, but adjusted (non-GAAP) earnings per share rose by 30.2% to $1.64, smashing analysts' consensus expectation for $1.44.
That 19% growth was a big acceleration over the prior quarter's 9% increase, and well above the company's guidance. Management also forecast sequential growth for Q4 to $1.345 billion at the midpoint. That would amount to a 10.7% sequential growth and 25.8% growth over the prior-year period. Management also forecast further margin expansion: It anticipates an adjusted operating margin of 45.8% at the midpoint in Q4, up from an already-robust 45% in the third quarter.
Cadence shares had dipped somewhat over the summer due to the company's decelerating growth in the prior quarters. However, its Q3 results and management's strong guidance for Q4 are a reminder of just how lumpy Cadence's quarter-to-quarter growth figures can be. If it meets that guidance, it would lift its overall 2024 revenue growth back to around 14%, in line with the mid-teens growth percentages it has achieved since 2020.
AI network effect
On the earnings call, management touted the huge benefits artificial intelligence is bringing to Cadence, not only from a demand perspective but also for its internal use.
CEO Anirudh Devgan noted that Cadence's IP blocks, which the company designs for third-party chipmakers to use in their larger designs, have already seen big improvements thanks to its use of AI, infused with Cadence's software.
Thus, it appears AI is driving a virtuous circle for Cadence: Infusing generative AI into its platform produces better chips, leading to better AI, which can then produce even better chips, and so on.
So, the AI revolution appears to have the potential to keep Cadence's growth strong for years. That seems to justify the company's high valuation of 75 times earnings.
