Ciena Corp (CIEN)vsCisco Systems Inc (CSCO)
CIEN
Ciena Corp
$348.80
+1.32%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $49.57B
CSCO
Cisco Systems Inc
$109.51
-0.66%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $442.08B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Cisco Systems Inc generates 952% more annual revenue ($63.33B vs $6.02B). CSCO leads profitability with a 20.9% profit margin vs 10.9%. CIEN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.58. CSCO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B).
CIEN
Strong Buy70
out of 100
Grade: B
CSCO
Strong Buy75
out of 100
Grade: B
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Revenue surging 37.0% year-over-year
Earnings expanding 422.9% YoY
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Every $100 of equity generates 21 in profit
Growing faster than its price suggests
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Earnings expanding 52.1% YoY
Every $100 of equity generates 26 in profit
Keeps 21 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 27.7%
17.6% revenue growth
Areas to Watch
Trading at 16.2x book value
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Distress zone — elevated risk
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Trading at 8.6x book value
Distress zone — elevated risk
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : CIEN
The strongest argument for CIEN centers on Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Debt/Equity. Revenue growth of 37.0% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.58 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : CSCO
The strongest argument for CSCO centers on Market Cap, EPS Growth, Return on Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.9% and operating margin at 27.7%. Revenue growth of 17.6% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : CIEN
The primary concerns for CIEN are Price/Book, P/E Ratio, Altman Z-Score. A P/E of 78.0x leaves little room for execution misses.
Bear Case : CSCO
The primary concerns for CSCO are P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Altman Z-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CIEN carries more volatility with a beta of 1.31 — expect wider price swings.
CIEN is growing revenue faster at 37.0% — sustainability is the question.
CSCO generates stronger free cash flow (5.0B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
CSCO scores higher overall (75/100 vs 70/100), backed by strong 20.9% margins and 17.6% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong 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.
Ciena Corp
TECHNOLOGY · COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT · USA
Ciena Corporation provides hardware, software, and network services that support the transport, routing, switching, aggregation, service delivery, and management of video, data, and voice traffic on communications networks worldwide. The company is headquartered in Hanover, Maryland.
Visit Website →Cisco Systems Inc
TECHNOLOGY · COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT · USA
Cisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in San Jose, California, in the center of Silicon Valley. Cisco develops, manufactures and sells networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment and other high-technology services and products. Through its numerous acquired subsidiaries, such as OpenDNS, Webex, Jabber and Jasper, Cisco specializes in specific tech markets, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), domain security and energy management. On January 25, 2021, Cisco reincorporated in Delaware.
Visit Website →Compare with Other COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT Stocks
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