Ciena Corporation (CIEN) vs TE Connectivity plc (TEL)

TEL leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Ciena Corporation and TE Connectivity plc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CIEN vs TEL

growth of $100 · last 19y
CIEN +1239.6%TEL +411.1%CIEN compounded faster
05001k2kStart $1002011201520192023$1,340$511
CIEN TEL

CIEN vs TEL: by the numbers

  • CIEN is the larger company ($68.61B vs $57.96B market cap).
  • TEL trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.28 vs 161.56 P/E).
  • TEL converts more revenue to profit (15.69% vs 7.87% net margin).
  • CIEN grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.39% vs 7.22% CAGR).
  • TEL pays a dividend (1.47% yield) while CIEN does not currently pay one.

Which is better, CIEN or TEL?

Metric tally: CIEN 4 · TEL 12

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueTEL(lower P/E)
GrowthCIEN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityTEL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCIENTEL
P/E ratio161.5620.28
Forward P/E74.1917.69
P/S ratio12.733.16
P/B ratio24.524.43
PEG ratio4.3714.70
EV / EBITDA97.7813.41
FCF yield1.17%5.79%

Profitability

MetricCIENTEL
Gross margin43.05%35.36%
Operating margin11.18%19.28%
Net margin7.87%15.69%
ROE15.15%21.96%
ROIC5.35%8.82%

Dividends

MetricCIENTEL
Dividend yield1.47%
Payout ratio46.94%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCIENTEL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.39%7.22%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-17.95%1.38%
FCF CAGR (5Y)11.11%13.69%
Total return CAGR (5Y)52.84%9.99%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CIEN or TEL?
It depends on your goal. value: TEL (lower P/E); growth: CIEN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: TEL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, TEL leads 12 to 4.
Is CIEN or TEL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, TEL is cheaper: CIEN trades at a 161.56 P/E and TEL at 20.28.
Which has grown faster, CIEN or TEL?
Over the past five years, CIEN grew revenue faster — CIEN at a 10.39% CAGR versus TEL at 7.22%.
Does CIEN or TEL pay a bigger dividend?
TEL pays a dividend (1.47% yield) while CIEN does not currently pay one.
Is CIEN or TEL more profitable?
TEL runs the higher net margin — CIEN at 7.87% versus TEL at 15.69%.
Which has been the better investment, CIEN or TEL?
Over the past 10-year, CIEN delivered the higher annualized total return — CIEN at 38.17% versus TEL at 15.28%. 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 June 25, 2026.