Ciena Corporation (CIEN) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)
A side-by-side comparison of Ciena Corporation and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CIEN
Ciena Corporation
$350.51TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
QCOM
QUALCOMM Incorporated
$162.88TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CIEN vs QCOM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 29yCIEN +214.7%QCOM +8142.9%QCOM compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CIEN QCOM
CIEN vs QCOM: by the numbers
- •QCOM is the larger company ($171.68B vs $49.62B market cap).
- •QCOM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.24 vs 125.76 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •QCOM converts more revenue to profit (22.31% vs 7.87% net margin).
- •CIEN grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.39% vs 8.63% CAGR).
- •QCOM pays a dividend (2.11% yield), while CIEN has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CIEN | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 125.76 | 18.24 |
| Forward P/E | 57.74 | 15.79 |
| P/S ratio | 9.91 | 4.10 |
| P/B ratio | 19.09 | 6.68 |
| PEG ratio | 4.37 | 3.18 |
| EV / EBITDA | 69.09 | 14.61 |
| FCF yield | 1.51% | 6.86% |
Profitability
| Metric | CIEN | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 43.05% | 54.80% |
| Operating margin | 11.18% | 25.52% |
| Net margin | 7.87% | 22.31% |
| ROE | 15.15% | 36.38% |
| ROIC | 5.35% | 13.15% |
Dividends
| Metric | CIEN | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 2.11% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 70.95% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CIEN | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.39% | 8.63% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -17.95% | 5.74% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 11.11% | 9.39% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 43.20% | 6.10% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CIEN or QCOM?
- QCOM has the lower trailing P/E: CIEN trades at 125.76 and QCOM at 18.24. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CIEN or QCOM?
- Over the past five years, CIEN grew revenue faster — CIEN at a 10.39% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
- Does CIEN or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
- QCOM pays a dividend (2.11% yield), while CIEN has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is CIEN or QCOM more profitable?
- QCOM runs the higher net margin — CIEN at 7.87% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
- How have CIEN and QCOM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CIEN delivered 33.25% and QCOM delivered 13.58% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ciena P/E ratioQUALCOMM P/E ratioCiena dividend yieldQUALCOMM dividend yieldCiena ROEQUALCOMM ROECiena operating marginQUALCOMM operating marginCiena revenue growthQUALCOMM revenue growthCiena free cash flowQUALCOMM free cash flow
Ciena & QUALCOMM appear in these rankings
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 July 28, 2026.