Cadence Design Systems posts Q3 2026 beat, raises full‑year outlook and launches Maestro AI portfolio

Cadence Design Systems reported third‑quarter 2026 revenue of $1.633 billion, up 22% year‑over‑year, and adjusted earnings of $2.11 per share, both beating estimates. The company announced a record $8.2 billion backlog, raised its fiscal‑2026 revenue outlook to $6.387‑$6.417 billion and non‑GAAP EPS outlook to $8.37‑$8.43, and authorized an additional $2.5 billion share‑repurchase program. It also introduced Maestro, a portfolio of domain‑specialized AI models for chip and system design.

The higher guidance expands the revenue target range for investors and the $2.5 billion buyback increases potential shareholder returns, as noted in the company’s press release. The launch of Maestro signals new AI‑driven growth opportunities, which management highlighted as a key driver of the quarter’s performance.

  • 1Q3 2026 revenue was $1.633 billion, up from $1.339 billion in Q3 2025.
  • 2Adjusted EPS for Q3 2026 was $2.11 per share.
  • 3GAAP operating margin for the quarter was 26.2%, down from 31.8% a year earlier.
  • 4Non‑GAAP operating margin for the quarter was 44.1%, down from 47.6% a year earlier.
  • 5Quarter‑end backlog was $8.2 billion.
  • 6Fiscal 2026 revenue guidance was raised to a range of $6.387 billion‑$6.417 billion.

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