CIEN vs. FLEX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CIEN and FLEX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CIEN | FLEX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ciena Corporation | Flex Ltd. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Communications Equipment | Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components |
| Market Capitalization | 27.29 billion USD | 22.26 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | February 7, 1997 | March 18, 1994 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CIEN and FLEX 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | FLEX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -8.16% | -5.74% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 110.97% | 22.43% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 137.88% | 43.35% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 168.50% | 58.45% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.94% | -4.05% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 126.05% | 56.26% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.17M | 3.78M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.47M | 3.83M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 61.30% | 37.98% |
| Beta | 1.15 | 1.26 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CIEN
5.04%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 31.28%
- Q3
- 24.67%
- Median
- 13.12%
- Q1
- 4.60%
- Min
- -12.73%
CIEN’s Return on Equity of 5.04% is on par with the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
FLEX
16.77%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 25.62%
- Q3
- 13.32%
- Median
- 9.23%
- Q1
- 4.70%
- Min
- -3.60%
In the upper quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, FLEX’s Return on Equity of 16.77% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CIEN
3.10%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 28.72%
- Q3
- 14.02%
- Median
- 5.41%
- Q1
- 2.50%
- Min
- -13.11%
CIEN’s Net Profit Margin of 3.10% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
FLEX
3.33%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 18.22%
- Q3
- 10.34%
- Median
- 7.81%
- Q1
- 3.28%
- Min
- -4.57%
FLEX’s Net Profit Margin of 3.33% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CIEN
5.41%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 33.69%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.02%
- Q1
- 3.00%
- Min
- -4.94%
CIEN’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.41% is around the midpoint for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
FLEX
4.73%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 26.64%
- Q3
- 15.10%
- Median
- 9.55%
- Q1
- 4.57%
- Min
- -7.07%
FLEX’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.73% is around the midpoint for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | FLEX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 5.04% | 16.77% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.49% | 4.59% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.10% | 3.33% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.41% | 4.73% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.57% | 9.14% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CIEN
3.28
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.28
- Q3
- 2.10
- Median
- 1.52
- Q1
- 1.17
- Min
- 0.91
CIEN’s Current Ratio of 3.28 is in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
FLEX
1.30
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.52
- Q3
- 3.20
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.51
- Min
- 0.33
FLEX’s Current Ratio of 1.30 falls into the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CIEN
0.55
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.44
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.43
- Q1
- 0.21
- Min
- 0.00
CIEN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.55 is typical for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
FLEX
0.74
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 1.12
- Q3
- 0.55
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.10
- Min
- 0.00
FLEX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.74. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CIEN
3.65
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 55.49
- Q3
- 34.19
- Median
- 8.92
- Q1
- 3.73
- Min
- -9.94
In the lower quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, CIEN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.65 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
FLEX
7.39
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 114.40
- Q3
- 51.32
- Median
- 14.03
- Q1
- 3.74
- Min
- -61.15
FLEX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.39 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | FLEX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.28 | 1.30 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.28 | 0.79 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 0.74 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.65 | 7.39 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CIEN
0.00%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 2.99%
- Q3
- 2.30%
- Median
- 0.91%
- 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.
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 5.16%
- Q3
- 2.39%
- Median
- 1.18%
- Q1
- 0.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
FLEX 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 (TTM)
CIEN
0.00%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 111.16%
- Q3
- 61.16%
- Median
- 30.78%
- 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.
FLEX
0.00%
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 197.57%
- Q3
- 87.33%
- Median
- 36.23%
- Q1
- 3.99%
- Min
- 0.00%
FLEX 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 | CIEN | FLEX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CIEN
191.95
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 74.67
- Q3
- 56.42
- Median
- 31.00
- Q1
- 15.93
- Min
- 3.89
At 191.95, CIEN’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Communications 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.
FLEX
25.16
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 71.05
- Q3
- 42.87
- Median
- 27.84
- Q1
- 19.17
- Min
- 7.73
FLEX’s P/E Ratio of 25.16 is within the middle range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CIEN
5.95
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.84
- Q3
- 5.68
- Median
- 2.55
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 0.40
CIEN’s P/S Ratio of 5.95 is in the upper echelon for the Communications Equipment industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
FLEX
0.84
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 7.81
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.16
In the lower quartile for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components industry, FLEX’s P/S Ratio of 0.84 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CIEN
4.70
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.02
- Q3
- 6.01
- Median
- 3.83
- Q1
- 2.41
- Min
- 0.42
CIEN’s P/B Ratio of 4.70 is within the conventional range for the Communications 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.
FLEX
2.53
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Industry
- Max
- 7.49
- Q3
- 4.09
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.55
- Min
- 0.44
FLEX’s P/B Ratio of 2.53 is within the conventional range for the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 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 | CIEN | FLEX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 191.95 | 25.16 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.95 | 0.84 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.70 | 2.53 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 44.66 | 18.50 |