Cadence Reports Q2 2026 Financial Results

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Cadence announced results for the second quarter of 2026.

Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results

• Revenue of $1.584 billion, compared to revenue of $1.275 billion in Q2 2025
• GAAP operating margin of 28.4%, compared to 19.0% in Q2 2025
• Non-GAAP operating margin of 45.5%, compared to 42.8% in Q2 2025
• GAAP diluted net income per share of $1.33, compared to $0.59 in Q2 2025
• Non-GAAP diluted net income per share of $2.11, compared to $1.65 in Q2 2025
• Quarter-end backlog was $8.1 billion and revenue expected to be recognized in the next 12 months from remaining performance obligations was $4.2 billion

“Cadence delivered an outstanding Q2 driven by broad-based strength and the accelerating demand for our AI-driven solutions across both Design for AI and AI for Design fronts,” said Anirudh Devgan, president and chief executive officer. “Cadence is leading the agentic AI transformation in semiconductor design with a healthy environment. We are uniquely positioned to capitalize on this massive TAM expansion opportunity as the only provider with agentic solutions spanning the full electronic system design flow.”

“Cadence delivered excellent results for the second quarter of 2026, with broad-based strength driving double-digit growth across all our businesses,” said John Wall, senior vice president and chief financial officer. “With a record backlog and continued business momentum, we are now raising our 2026 outlook to 19% revenue growth, non-GAAP operating margin to 44.25%, non-GAAP EPS to $8.10, and operating cash flow to $2 billion at the midpoint.”

CFO Commentary

Commentary on the second quarter of 2026 financial results by John Wall, senior vice president and chief financial officer, is available at www.cadence.com/cadence/investor_relations.

Business Outlook

For fiscal year 2026, the company expects:

• Revenue in the range of $6.26 billion to $6.34 billion
• GAAP operating margin in the range of 27.75% to 28.75%
• Non-GAAP operating margin in the range of 43.75% to 44.75%
• GAAP diluted net income per share in the range of $4.76 to $4.86
• Non-GAAP diluted net income per share in the range of $8.05 to $8.15

The company utilizes a long-term projected non-GAAP tax rate, which reflects currently available information, as well as other factors and assumptions. The non-GAAP tax rate is subject to change for a variety of reasons, including the rapidly evolving global tax environment, significant changes in the company’s geographic earnings mix, or other changes to the company’s strategy or business operations. The company expects to use the current normalized non-GAAP tax rate through fiscal 2026 but will re-evaluate this rate periodically for significant items that may materially affect its projections.

Reconciliations of the financial results and business outlook from GAAP operating margin, GAAP net income and GAAP diluted net income per share to non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted net income per share, respectively, are included in this press release. Revenue growth outlook is based on the midpoint of the range.

Business Highlights

• Launched AuraStack AI Super Agent, the industry's first agentic AI platform for advanced packaging and PCB, extending Cadence's AI Super Agents portfolio to span the full electronic system design flow
• Strong early traction for the AI Super Agents portfolio, with compelling initial customer results across ChipStack, ViraStack and InnoStack
• IP revenue grew more than 40% year-over-year, driven by strong demand for Cadence’s Star IP portfolio, highlighted by a significant agreement with Intel and additional wins with leading semiconductor companies
• Core EDA revenue grew 18% year-over-year, driven by strong demand for Cadence’s AI portfolio and expanded adoption across hyperscalers, top semiconductor companies and startups
• Hardware delivered another record quarter, adding 12 new customers and significant expansions with hyperscalers and leading AI innovators
• System Design and Analysis revenue grew 37% year-over-year, driven by strong adoption of Cadence's PCB and advanced packaging solutions and continued integration of the Hexagon D&E business