Ciena Corp (CIEN)vsNasdaq Inc (NDAQ)
CIEN
Ciena Corp
$437.70
+1.94%
TECHNOLOGY · Cap: $60.74B
NDAQ
Nasdaq Inc
$83.74
-0.64%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $49.33B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Nasdaq Inc generates 2% more annual revenue ($5.25B vs $5.12B). NDAQ leads profitability with a 34.1% profit margin vs 4.5%. CIEN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.60. NDAQ earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 69/100 (B-).
CIEN
Buy54
out of 100
Grade: C-
NDAQ
Strong Buy69
out of 100
Grade: B-
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
+44.4%
Fair Value
$144.61
Current Price
$83.74
$60.87 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Revenue surging 33.1% year-over-year
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 34 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 47.6%
Earnings expanding 47.6% YoY
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
Moderate valuation
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 : NDAQ
The strongest argument for NDAQ centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 34.1% and operating margin at 47.6%. Revenue growth of 13.4% demonstrates continued momentum.
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 : NDAQ
The primary concerns for NDAQ are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CIEN profiles as a hypergrowth stock while NDAQ 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.
NDAQ generates stronger free cash flow (536M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
NDAQ scores higher overall (69/100 vs 54/100), backed by strong 34.1% margins and 13.4% 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 →Nasdaq Inc
FINANCIAL SERVICES · FINANCIAL DATA & STOCK EXCHANGES · USA
Nasdaq, Inc. is an American multinational financial services corporation that owns and operates stock exchanges in the United States and Europe. It is headquartered in New York City.
Visit Website →Compare with Other COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT Stocks
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