WallStSmart

Ciena Corp (CIEN)vsGE Aerospace (GE)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

GE Aerospace generates 843% more annual revenue ($48.31B vs $5.12B). GE leads profitability with a 17.9% profit margin vs 4.5%. CIEN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.27. GE earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 59/100 (C).

CIEN

Buy

52

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 8.7Profit: 5.5Value: 3.7Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 1.18

GE

Buy

59

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 4.0Profit: 8.0Value: 3.7Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 1.69

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CIEN3 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
33.1%10/10

Revenue surging 33.1% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
232.3%10/10

Earnings expanding 232.3% YoY

Market CapQuality
$76.18B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

GE5 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Market CapQuality
$316.20B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
45.4%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 45 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
20.2%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 20.2%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
24.7%8/10

Revenue surging 24.7% year-over-year

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.50B8/10

Generating 1.5B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

CIEN4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.274/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Profit MarginProfitability
4.5%3/10

4.5% margin — thin

P/E RatioValuation
345.4x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
27.8x2/10

Trading at 27.8x book value

GE4 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
P/E RatioValuation
37.6x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
16.7x4/10

Trading at 16.7x book value

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.694/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

PEG RatioValuation
7.362/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : CIEN

The strongest argument for CIEN centers on Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Market Cap. Revenue growth of 33.1% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : GE

The strongest argument for GE centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 17.9% and operating margin at 20.2%. Revenue growth of 24.7% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : CIEN

The primary concerns for CIEN are PEG Ratio, Profit Margin, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 345.4x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 4.5% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : GE

The primary concerns for GE are P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CIEN profiles as a hypergrowth stock while GE is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

GE carries more volatility with a beta of 1.35 — expect wider price swings.

CIEN is growing revenue faster at 33.1% — sustainability is the question.

GE generates stronger free cash flow (1.5B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

GE scores higher overall (59/100 vs 52/100), backed by strong 17.9% margins and 24.7% revenue growth. Both earn "Buy" and "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 →

GE Aerospace

INDUSTRIALS · AEROSPACE & DEFENSE · USA

General Electric Company (GE) is an American multinational conglomerate incorporated in New York City and headquartered in Boston. As of 2018, the company operates through the following segments: aviation, healthcare, power, renewable energy, digital industry, additive manufacturing and venture capital and finance.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?