Ciena Corporation (CIEN) vs United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC)
A side-by-side comparison of Ciena Corporation and United Microelectronics Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 1, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CIEN
Ciena Corporation
$360.33TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 1, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
UMC
United Microelectronics Corporation
$20.47TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 1, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CIEN vs UMC
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCIEN +1625.9% (+33.0%/yr)UMC +1574.7% (+32.6%/yr)CIEN compounded faster over this window
CIEN UMC
CIEN vs UMC: by the numbers
- •UMC is the larger company ($51.06B vs $51.01B market cap).
- •UMC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.82 vs 127.60 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •UMC converts more revenue to profit (33.14% vs 7.87% net margin).
- •CIEN grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.39% vs 9.39% CAGR).
- •UMC pays a dividend (2.02% yield), while CIEN has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CIEN | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 127.60 | 18.82 |
| Forward P/E | 58.45 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 10.06 | 6.25 |
| P/B ratio | 19.37 | 3.58 |
| EV / EBITDA | 70.09 | 13.30 |
| FCF yield | 1.49% | 3.77% |
Profitability
| Metric | CIEN | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 43.05% | 30.60% |
| Operating margin | 11.18% | 19.71% |
| Net margin | 7.87% | 33.14% |
| ROE | 15.15% | 18.99% |
| ROIC | 11.97% | 8.07% |
Dividends
| Metric | CIEN | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 2.02% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 75.33% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CIEN | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.39% | 9.39% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -17.95% | 4.35% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 11.11% | 6.34% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 46.30% | 17.86% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CIEN or UMC?
- UMC has the lower trailing P/E: CIEN trades at 127.60 and UMC at 18.82. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CIEN or UMC?
- Over the past five years, CIEN grew revenue faster — CIEN at a 10.39% CAGR versus UMC at 9.39%.
- Does CIEN or UMC pay a bigger dividend?
- UMC pays a dividend (2.02% yield), while CIEN has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is CIEN or UMC more profitable?
- UMC runs the higher net margin — CIEN at 7.87% versus UMC at 33.14%.
- How have CIEN and UMC total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CIEN delivered 33.40% and UMC delivered 32.70% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ciena P/E ratioUnited Microelectronics P/E ratioUnited Microelectronics dividend yieldCiena ROEUnited Microelectronics ROECiena operating marginUnited Microelectronics operating marginCiena revenue growthUnited Microelectronics revenue growthCiena free cash flowUnited Microelectronics free cash flow
Ciena & United Microelectronics 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 September 1, 2026.