AKAM vs. CIEN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AKAM and CIEN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AKAM’s market capitalization stands at 11.31 billion USD, while CIEN’s is 11.50 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
With betas of 0.77 for AKAM and 1.12 for CIEN, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | AKAM | CIEN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Akamai Technologies, Inc. | Ciena Corporation |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Software - Infrastructure | Communication Equipment |
| CEO | F. Thomson Leighton | Gary B. Smith |
| Price | 79.48 USD | 81.38 USD |
| Market Cap | 11.31 billion USD | 11.50 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.77 | 1.12 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | October 29, 1999 | February 7, 1997 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AKAM and CIEN by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AKAM
9.52%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 80.61%
- Q3
- 29.97%
- Median
- 2.84%
- Q1
- -8.35%
- Min
- -56.26%
AKAM’s Return on Equity of 9.52% is on par with the norm for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
CIEN
3.72%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.07%
- Q3
- 8.07%
- Median
- 1.84%
- Q1
- -11.93%
- Min
- -31.65%
CIEN’s Return on Equity of 3.72% is on par with the norm for the Communication Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Return on Invested Capital
AKAM
4.40%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 39.31%
- Q3
- 11.97%
- Median
- 1.67%
- Q1
- -7.10%
- Min
- -34.29%
AKAM’s Return on Invested Capital of 4.40% is in line with the norm for the Software - Infrastructure industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
CIEN
2.97%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.59%
- Q3
- 6.61%
- Median
- 2.97%
- Q1
- -2.58%
- Min
- -13.18%
CIEN’s Return on Invested Capital of 2.97% is in line with the norm for the Communication Equipment industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
AKAM
11.26%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 46.46%
- Q3
- 14.65%
- Median
- 2.66%
- Q1
- -7.70%
- Min
- -35.45%
AKAM’s Net Profit Margin of 11.26% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software - Infrastructure industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
CIEN
2.46%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 9.21%
- Median
- 2.46%
- Q1
- -8.56%
- Min
- -29.87%
CIEN’s Net Profit Margin of 2.46% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Communication Equipment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
AKAM
12.97%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.51%
- Q3
- 16.56%
- Median
- 4.48%
- Q1
- -6.43%
- Min
- -40.18%
AKAM’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.97% is around the midpoint for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
CIEN
4.68%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 30.72%
- Q3
- 11.64%
- Median
- 5.79%
- Q1
- -2.28%
- Min
- -18.20%
CIEN’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.68% is around the midpoint for the Communication Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AKAM | CIEN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.52% | 3.72% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.53% | 1.85% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 4.40% | 2.97% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.26% | 2.46% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.97% | 4.68% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 59.07% | 41.94% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AKAM
1.18
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 3.80
- Q3
- 2.25
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.23
AKAM’s Current Ratio of 1.18 aligns with the median group of the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
CIEN
3.40
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 2.59
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.32
- Min
- 0.86
CIEN’s Current Ratio of 3.40 is in the upper quartile for the Communication Equipment industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AKAM
1.01
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 2.56
- Q3
- 1.12
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
AKAM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.01 is typical for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
CIEN
0.57
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.82
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.02
CIEN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.57 is typical for the Communication Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AKAM
17.98
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 32.21
- Q3
- 5.24
- Median
- 0.95
- Q1
- -17.99
- Min
- -50.82
AKAM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 17.98 is in the upper quartile for the Software - Infrastructure industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
CIEN
2.07
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.12
- Q3
- 9.22
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- -0.75
- Min
- -12.07
CIEN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.07 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Communication Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AKAM | CIEN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.18 | 3.40 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.18 | 2.57 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 1.01 | 0.57 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.46 | 0.28 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 2.78 | 1.67 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 17.98 | 2.07 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AKAM and CIEN. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AKAM
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 4.07%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AKAM currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
CIEN
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.72%
- Q3
- 0.38%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CIEN currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AKAM
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.68%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AKAM has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
CIEN
0.00%
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 91.96%
- Q3
- 26.44%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CIEN has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AKAM | CIEN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AKAM
26.17
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 107.77
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 28.10
- Q1
- 18.03
- Min
- 5.32
AKAM’s P/E Ratio of 26.17 is within the middle range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
CIEN
110.66
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.37
- Q3
- 41.98
- Median
- 30.61
- Q1
- 23.44
- Min
- 2.14
At 110.66, CIEN’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Communication Equipment industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AKAM
3.08
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 8.12
- Q3
- 3.94
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.01
AKAM’s Forward PEG Ratio of 3.08 is within the middle range of its peers in the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
CIEN
2.86
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 15.97
- Q3
- 6.99
- Median
- 2.78
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.05
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Communication Equipment industry.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AKAM
2.81
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 18.25
- Q3
- 9.05
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.11
AKAM’s P/S Ratio of 2.81 aligns with the market consensus for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
CIEN
2.70
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.38
- Q3
- 3.88
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.37
CIEN’s P/S Ratio of 2.70 aligns with the market consensus for the Communication Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AKAM
2.58
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 19.94
- Q3
- 10.91
- Median
- 6.33
- Q1
- 2.95
- Min
- 0.51
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Software - Infrastructure industry.
CIEN
4.18
Communication Equipment Industry
- Max
- 14.42
- Q3
- 7.01
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.41
CIEN’s P/B Ratio of 4.18 is within the conventional range for the Communication Equipment industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AKAM | CIEN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 26.17 | 110.66 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.08 | 2.86 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 2.81 | 2.70 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 2.58 | 4.18 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 14.33 | 39.41 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 11.70 | 31.73 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 3.69 | 2.85 |