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.

Compare

Total returnCIEN vs QCOM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 29y
CIEN +214.7%QCOM +8142.9%QCOM compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
1101001k10k100kStart $10020022007201220172022$315$8,243
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

MetricCIENQCOM
P/E ratio125.7618.24
Forward P/E57.7415.79
P/S ratio9.914.10
P/B ratio19.096.68
PEG ratio4.373.18
EV / EBITDA69.0914.61
FCF yield1.51%6.86%

Profitability

MetricCIENQCOM
Gross margin43.05%54.80%
Operating margin11.18%25.52%
Net margin7.87%22.31%
ROE15.15%36.38%
ROIC5.35%13.15%

Dividends

MetricCIENQCOM
Dividend yieldN/A2.11%
Payout ratioN/A70.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCIENQCOM
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.

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.