Ciena Corporation (CIEN) vs NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)
A side-by-side comparison of Ciena Corporation and NVIDIA Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CIEN
Ciena Corporation
$319.64TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 14, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
NVDA
NVIDIA Corporation
$210.96TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 14, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CIEN vs NVDA
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCIEN +1475.9% (+31.8%/yr)NVDA +14533.9% (+64.6%/yr)NVDA compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CIEN NVDA
CIEN vs NVDA: by the numbers
- •NVDA is the larger company ($5.11T vs $45.25B market cap).
- •NVDA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (26.67 vs 71.35 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •NVDA converts more revenue to profit (63.66% vs 10.87% net margin).
- •NVDA grew revenue faster over the past five years (69.34% vs 12.05% CAGR).
- •NVDA pays a dividend (0.13% yield), while CIEN has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CIEN | NVDA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 71.35 | 26.67 |
| Forward P/E | 44.55 | 22.79 |
| P/S ratio | 7.51 | 16.87 |
| P/B ratio | 14.80 | 22.31 |
| EV / EBITDA | 41.16 | 25.47 |
| FCF yield | 1.59% | 2.49% |
Profitability
| Metric | CIEN | NVDA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.07% | 74.67% |
| Operating margin | 14.10% | 65.21% |
| Net margin | 10.87% | 63.66% |
| ROE | 21.41% | 84.23% |
| ROIC | 11.56% | 59.61% |
Dividends
| Metric | CIEN | NVDA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 0.13% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 3.54% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CIEN | NVDA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.05% | 69.34% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -17.95% | 94.31% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 13.27% | 82.12% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 45.31% | 57.67% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CIEN or NVDA?
- NVDA has the lower trailing P/E: CIEN trades at 71.35 and NVDA at 26.67. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CIEN or NVDA?
- Over the past five years, NVDA grew revenue faster — CIEN at a 12.05% CAGR versus NVDA at 69.34%.
- Does CIEN or NVDA pay a bigger dividend?
- NVDA pays a dividend (0.13% yield), while CIEN has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is CIEN or NVDA more profitable?
- NVDA runs the higher net margin — CIEN at 10.87% versus NVDA at 63.66%.
- How have CIEN and NVDA total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CIEN delivered 32.05% and NVDA delivered 64.93% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ciena P/E ratioNVIDIA P/E ratioNVIDIA dividend yieldCiena ROENVIDIA ROECiena operating marginNVIDIA operating marginCiena revenue growthNVIDIA revenue growthCiena free cash flowNVIDIA free cash flow
Ciena & NVIDIA appear in these rankings
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Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 13, 2026.