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).
Total return — CIEN vs TEL
growth of $100 · last 19yCIEN +1239.6%TEL +411.1%CIEN compounded faster
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 12It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueTEL(lower P/E)
GrowthCIEN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityTEL(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CIEN | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 161.56 | 20.28● |
| Forward P/E | 74.19 | 17.69● |
| P/S ratio | 12.73 | 3.16● |
| P/B ratio | 24.52 | 4.43● |
| PEG ratio | 4.37● | 14.70 |
| EV / EBITDA | 97.78 | 13.41● |
| FCF yield | 1.17% | 5.79%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CIEN | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 43.05%● | 35.36% |
| Operating margin | 11.18% | 19.28%● |
| Net margin | 7.87% | 15.69%● |
| ROE | 15.15% | 21.96%● |
| ROIC | 5.35% | 8.82%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CIEN | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 1.47% |
| Payout ratio | — | 46.94% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CIEN | TEL |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ciena P/E ratioTE Connectivity P/E ratioCiena dividend yieldTE Connectivity dividend yieldCiena ROETE Connectivity ROECiena operating marginTE Connectivity operating marginCiena revenue growthTE Connectivity revenue growthCiena free cash flowTE Connectivity free cash flow
Ciena & TE Connectivity 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 June 25, 2026.