Ciena Corp (CIEN)vsUnion Pacific Corporation (UNP)
CIEN
Ciena Corp
$437.70
+1.94%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $60.74B
UNP
Union Pacific Corporation
$241.33
+0.69%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $142.22B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Union Pacific Corporation generates 378% more annual revenue ($24.51B vs $5.12B). UNP leads profitability with a 29.1% profit margin vs 4.5%. CIEN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.60. UNP earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 60/100 (C).
CIEN
Buy54
out of 100
Grade: C-
UNP
Buy60
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
-13.1%
Fair Value
$211.98
Current Price
$241.33
$29.35 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Revenue surging 33.1% year-over-year
Large-cap with strong market position
Every $100 of equity generates 40 in profit
Strong operational efficiency at 40.9%
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 29 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Generating 1.2B 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
Expensive relative to growth rate
Revenue declined 0.6%
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 : UNP
The strongest argument for UNP centers on Return on Equity, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 29.1% and operating margin at 40.9%.
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 : UNP
The primary concerns for UNP are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CIEN profiles as a hypergrowth stock while UNP is a declining 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.
UNP generates stronger free cash flow (1.2B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
UNP scores higher overall (60/100 vs 54/100), backed by strong 29.1% margins. 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 →Union Pacific Corporation
INDUSTRIALS · RAILROADS · USA
The Union Pacific Corporation (Union Pacific) is a publicly traded railroad holding company. It was incorporated in Utah in 1969 and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. It is the parent company of the current, Delaware-registered, form of the Union Pacific Railroad.
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