Ciena Corporation (CIEN) vs Workday, Inc. (WDAY)
A side-by-side comparison of Ciena Corporation and Workday, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CIEN
Ciena Corporation
$349.54TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
WDAY
Workday, Inc.
$185.70TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CIEN vs WDAY
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCIEN +1438.7% (+31.4%/yr)WDAY +113.3% (+7.9%/yr)CIEN compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CIEN WDAY
CIEN vs WDAY: by the numbers
- •CIEN is the larger company ($49.48B vs $48.64B market cap).
- •WDAY trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (37.67 vs 78.02 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •WDAY converts more revenue to profit (12.32% vs 10.87% net margin).
- •WDAY grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.80% vs 12.05% CAGR).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CIEN | WDAY |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 78.02 | 37.67 |
| Forward P/E | 48.88 | 16.77 |
| P/S ratio | 8.22 | 4.79 |
| P/B ratio | 16.19 | 7.53 |
| EV / EBITDA | 45.21 | 32.71 |
| FCF yield | 1.45% | 5.85% |
Profitability
| Metric | CIEN | WDAY |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.07% | 75.80% |
| Operating margin | 14.10% | 11.99% |
| Net margin | 10.87% | 12.32% |
| ROE | 21.41% | 19.37% |
| ROIC | 11.56% | 11.40% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CIEN | WDAY |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.05% | 16.80% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -17.95% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 13.27% | 18.62% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 44.07% | -7.18% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CIEN or WDAY?
- WDAY has the lower trailing P/E: CIEN trades at 78.02 and WDAY at 37.67. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CIEN or WDAY?
- Over the past five years, WDAY grew revenue faster — CIEN at a 12.05% CAGR versus WDAY at 16.80%.
- Is CIEN or WDAY more profitable?
- WDAY runs the higher net margin — CIEN at 10.87% versus WDAY at 12.32%.
- How have CIEN and WDAY total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CIEN delivered 31.48% and WDAY delivered 7.87% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Ciena P/E ratioWorkday P/E ratioCiena ROEWorkday ROECiena operating marginWorkday operating marginCiena revenue growthWorkday revenue growthCiena free cash flowWorkday free cash flow
Ciena & Workday 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 11, 2026.