CIEN vs. HPQ: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 21, 2025

Here’s a clear look at CIEN and HPQ, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	CIEN	HPQ
Company Name	Ciena Corporation	HP Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Communications Equipment	Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
Market Capitalization	13.38 billion USD	25.49 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	February 7, 1997	January 2, 1962
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CIEN and HPQ 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.

CIEN vs. HPQ: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CIEN	HPQ
5-Day Price Return	-0.55%	7.06%
13-Week Price Return	19.81%	-3.96%
26-Week Price Return	1.65%	-16.75%
52-Week Price Return	95.18%	-19.66%
Month-to-Date Return	1.96%	9.44%
Year-to-Date Return	11.61%	-16.82%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.61M	8.25M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.05M	8.93M
3-Month Volatility	40.51%	34.65%
Beta	1.07	1.33

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CIEN

3.72%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 32.05%
Q3: 19.58%
Median: 11.77%
Q1: 2.23%
Min: -11.93%

CIEN’s Return on Equity of 3.72% is on par with the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

HPQ

16.85%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 47.24%
Q3: 29.40%
Median: 9.11%
Q1: 6.06%
Min: -0.79%

HPQ’s Return on Equity of 16.85% is on par with the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

CIEN vs. HPQ: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CIEN

2.46%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 23.65%
Q3: 14.32%
Median: 5.31%
Q1: 1.45%
Min: -12.72%

CIEN’s Net Profit Margin of 2.46% 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.

HPQ

4.64%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 13.86%
Q3: 8.17%
Median: 4.62%
Q1: 3.65%
Min: -0.21%

HPQ’s Net Profit Margin of 4.64% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

CIEN vs. HPQ: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CIEN

4.66%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 42.27%
Q3: 18.90%
Median: 6.21%
Q1: 2.97%
Min: -20.72%

CIEN’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.66% is around the midpoint for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

HPQ

6.31%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 17.80%
Q3: 10.33%
Median: 6.31%
Q1: 4.86%
Min: 2.53%

HPQ’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.31% is around the midpoint for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

CIEN vs. HPQ: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CIEN	HPQ
Return on Equity (TTM)	3.72%	16.85%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.87%	6.47%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	2.46%	4.64%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	4.66%	6.31%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	41.94%	21.15%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CIEN

3.40

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 1.72
Q3: 1.72
Median: 1.46
Q1: 1.18
Min: 0.93

CIEN’s Current Ratio of 3.40 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

HPQ

0.73

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 2.47
Q3: 1.98
Median: 1.40
Q1: 1.26
Min: 0.70

HPQ’s Current Ratio of 0.73 falls into the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

CIEN vs. HPQ: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CIEN

0.55

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 1.55
Q3: 0.92
Median: 0.55
Q1: 0.30
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.

HPQ

0.32

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 1.47
Q3: 0.93
Median: 0.32
Q1: 0.19
Min: 0.00

HPQ’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.32 is typical for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

CIEN vs. HPQ: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CIEN

3.65

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 181.73
Q3: 113.63
Median: 7.59
Q1: 3.82
Min: -5.39

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.

HPQ

8.25

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 204.63
Q3: 90.22
Median: 21.70
Q1: 6.79
Min: -23.93

HPQ’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.25 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

CIEN vs. HPQ: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CIEN	HPQ
Current Ratio (MRQ)	3.40	0.73
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	2.27	0.42
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.55	0.32
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	3.65	8.25

Growth

Revenue Growth

CIEN vs. HPQ: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

CIEN vs. HPQ: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

CIEN

0.00%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 3.88%
Q3: 2.75%
Median: 0.93%
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.

HPQ

4.26%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 4.50%
Q3: 3.66%
Median: 1.90%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 4.26%, HPQ offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

CIEN vs. HPQ: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CIEN

0.00%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 111.16%
Q3: 55.91%
Median: 28.42%
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.

HPQ

42.79%

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 142.87%
Q3: 66.07%
Median: 42.79%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

HPQ’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 42.79% is within the typical range for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

CIEN vs. HPQ: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CIEN	HPQ
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	4.26%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	42.79%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CIEN

131.48

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 57.30
Q3: 47.92
Median: 27.50
Q1: 17.89
Min: 13.89

At 131.48, 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.

HPQ

10.05

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 43.16
Q3: 27.56
Median: 17.85
Q1: 12.48
Min: 6.21

In the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, HPQ’s P/E Ratio of 10.05 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

CIEN vs. HPQ: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CIEN

3.23

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 11.03
Q3: 5.53
Median: 2.20
Q1: 0.99
Min: 0.40

CIEN’s P/S Ratio of 3.23 aligns with the market consensus for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

HPQ

0.47

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 4.27
Q3: 1.99
Median: 0.93
Q1: 0.45
Min: 0.04

HPQ’s P/S Ratio of 0.47 aligns with the market consensus for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

CIEN vs. HPQ: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CIEN

3.73

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 9.66
Q3: 5.60
Median: 3.73
Q1: 2.67
Min: 0.30

CIEN’s P/B Ratio of 3.73 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.

HPQ

0.90

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry

Max: 12.51
Q3: 6.11
Median: 1.73
Q1: 1.01
Min: 0.31

HPQ’s P/B Ratio of 0.90 is in the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

CIEN vs. HPQ: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CIEN	HPQ
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	131.48	10.05
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.23	0.47
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.73	0.90
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	29.26	7.75