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.

Compare

Total returnCIEN vs WDAY

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CIEN +1438.7% (+31.4%/yr)WDAY +113.3% (+7.9%/yr)CIEN compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$1,539$213
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

MetricCIENWDAY
P/E ratio78.0237.67
Forward P/E48.8816.77
P/S ratio8.224.79
P/B ratio16.197.53
EV / EBITDA45.2132.71
FCF yield1.45%5.85%

Profitability

MetricCIENWDAY
Gross margin44.07%75.80%
Operating margin14.10%11.99%
Net margin10.87%12.32%
ROE21.41%19.37%
ROIC11.56%11.40%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCIENWDAY
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.

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.