WallStSmart

Ciena Corp (CIEN)vsMotorola Solutions Inc (MSI)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Motorola Solutions Inc generates 128% more annual revenue ($11.68B vs $5.12B). MSI leads profitability with a 18.4% profit margin vs 4.5%. CIEN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.62. MSI earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 62/100 (C+).

CIEN

Buy

54

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 6.7Profit: 5.5Value: 4.7Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 1.18

MSI

Buy

62

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.0Profit: 9.0Value: 4.7Quality: 3.5
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 1.41
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

CIENSignificantly Overvalued (-302.0%)

Margin of Safety

-302.0%

Fair Value

$73.94

Current Price

$385.26

$311.32 premium

UndervaluedFair: $73.94Overvalued
MSISignificantly Overvalued (-60.5%)

Margin of Safety

-60.5%

Fair Value

$262.35

Current Price

$467.28

$204.93 premium

UndervaluedFair: $262.35Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CIEN2 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
33.1%10/10

Revenue surging 33.1% year-over-year

Market CapQuality
$54.50B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

MSI4 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Return on EquityProfitability
104.2%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 104 in profit

Market CapQuality
$78.13B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Operating MarginProfitability
27.8%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 27.8%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.14B8/10

Generating 1.1B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

CIEN4 concerns · Avg: 3.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.624/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
19.5x4/10

Trading at 19.5x book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
2.3%4/10

2.3% earnings growth

Profit MarginProfitability
4.5%3/10

4.5% margin — thin

MSI4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
P/E RatioValuation
36.8x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
2.582/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
32.1x2/10

Trading at 32.1x book value

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : CIEN

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

Bull Case : MSI

The strongest argument for MSI centers on Return on Equity, Market Cap, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 18.4% and operating margin at 27.8%. Revenue growth of 12.3% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : CIEN

The primary concerns for CIEN are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, EPS Growth. A P/E of 243.8x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 4.5% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : MSI

The primary concerns for MSI are P/E Ratio, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio. Debt-to-equity of 4.05 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CIEN profiles as a hypergrowth stock while MSI is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

CIEN carries more volatility with a beta of 1.09 — expect wider price swings.

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

MSI generates stronger free cash flow (1.1B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

MSI scores higher overall (62/100 vs 54/100), backed by strong 18.4% margins and 12.3% 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 →

Motorola Solutions Inc

TECHNOLOGY · COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT · USA

Motorola Solutions, Inc., is an American data communications and telecommunications equipment provider that succeeded Motorola, Inc., following the spinoff of the mobile phone division into Motorola Mobility in 2011. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Visit Website →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?