Ciena Corp (CIEN)vsNorthrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)
CIEN
Ciena Corp
$437.70
+1.94%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $60.74B
NOC
Northrop Grumman Corporation
$691.21
+1.33%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $97.36B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Northrop Grumman Corporation generates 719% more annual revenue ($41.95B vs $5.12B). NOC leads profitability with a 10.0% profit margin vs 4.5%. CIEN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.60. NOC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 56/100 (C).
CIEN
Buy54
out of 100
Grade: C-
NOC
Buy56
out of 100
Grade: C
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-299.5%
Fair Value
$74.41
Current Price
$437.70
$363.29 premium
Margin of Safety
+24.9%
Fair Value
$904.35
Current Price
$691.21
$213.14 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Revenue surging 33.1% year-over-year
Large-cap with strong market position
Large-cap with strong market position
Every $100 of equity generates 26 in profit
Generating 3.2B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
2.3% earnings growth
4.5% margin — thin
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Grey zone — moderate risk
Elevated debt levels
Weak financial health signals
Expensive relative to growth rate
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : CIEN
The strongest argument for CIEN centers on Revenue Growth, Market Cap. Revenue growth of 33.1% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : NOC
The strongest argument for NOC centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Free Cash Flow.
Bear Case : CIEN
The primary concerns for CIEN are PEG Ratio, EPS Growth, Profit Margin. A P/E of 270.1x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 4.5% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Bear Case : NOC
The primary concerns for NOC are Altman Z-Score, Debt/Equity, Piotroski F-Score.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CIEN profiles as a hypergrowth stock while NOC is a value 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.
NOC generates stronger free cash flow (3.2B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
NOC scores higher overall (56/100 vs 54/100). 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 →Northrop Grumman Corporation
INDUSTRIALS · AEROSPACE & DEFENSE · USA
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is an American multinational aerospace and defense technology company.
Visit Website →Compare with Other COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT Stocks
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