Ciena Corp (CIEN)vsCisco Systems Inc (CSCO)
CIEN
Ciena Corp
$488.21
-8.85%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $65.60B
CSCO
Cisco Systems Inc
$121.64
+1.88%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $473.64B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Cisco Systems Inc generates 991% more annual revenue ($60.75B vs $5.57B). CSCO leads profitability with a 19.7% profit margin vs 7.9%. CIEN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.01. CSCO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 71/100 (B).
CIEN
Buy64
out of 100
Grade: C+
CSCO
Strong Buy71
out of 100
Grade: B
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Revenue surging 39.5% year-over-year
Earnings expanding 2383.0% YoY
Large-cap with strong market position
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Every $100 of equity generates 24 in profit
Strong operational efficiency at 25.0%
Earnings expanding 37.1% YoY
Generating 3.6B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
7.9% margin — thin
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Trading at 23.9x book value
Distress zone — elevated risk
Expensive relative to growth rate
Trading at 9.8x book value
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Distress zone — elevated risk
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : CIEN
The strongest argument for CIEN centers on Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Market Cap. Revenue growth of 39.5% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 1.01 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : CSCO
The strongest argument for CSCO centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 19.7% and operating margin at 25.0%. Revenue growth of 12.0% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : CIEN
The primary concerns for CIEN are Profit Margin, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. A P/E of 154.0x leaves little room for execution misses.
Bear Case : CSCO
The primary concerns for CSCO are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 40.1x leaves little room for execution misses.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CIEN profiles as a hypergrowth stock while CSCO is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.
CIEN carries more volatility with a beta of 1.24 — expect wider price swings.
CIEN is growing revenue faster at 39.5% — sustainability is the question.
CSCO generates stronger free cash flow (3.6B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
CSCO scores higher overall (71/100 vs 64/100), backed by strong 19.7% margins and 12.0% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong 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 →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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