CIEN vs. MSFT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CIEN and MSFT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CIEN | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ciena Corporation | Microsoft Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Communications Equipment | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 13.38 billion USD | 3,869.56 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | February 7, 1997 | March 13, 1986 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CIEN and MSFT 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 | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.55% | -0.05% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 19.81% | 15.88% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 1.65% | 25.19% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 95.18% | 27.97% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.96% | -2.42% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 11.61% | 23.51% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.61M | 23.66M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.05M | 21.75M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 40.51% | 15.92% |
| Beta | 1.07 | 1.03 |
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.
MSFT
32.44%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
In the upper quartile for the Software industry, MSFT’s Return on Equity of 32.44% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
MSFT
36.15%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
A Net Profit Margin of 36.15% places MSFT in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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.
MSFT
45.29%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
An Operating Profit Margin of 45.29% places MSFT in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 3.72% | 32.44% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 1.87% | 18.20% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.46% | 36.15% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.66% | 45.29% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.94% | 68.82% |
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.
MSFT
1.35
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
MSFT’s Current Ratio of 1.35 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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.
MSFT
0.26
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
MSFT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.26 is typical for the Software 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 (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.
MSFT
891.80
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 891.80, MSFT demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.40 | 1.35 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.27 | 1.35 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 0.26 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.65 | 891.80 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
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.
MSFT
0.61%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSFT’s Dividend Yield of 0.61% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
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.
MSFT
23.65%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 23.65%, MSFT’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Software industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.61% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 23.65% |
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.
MSFT
38.73
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
MSFT’s P/E Ratio of 38.73 is within the middle range for the Software 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
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.
MSFT
14.00
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
MSFT’s P/S Ratio of 14.00 is in the upper echelon for the Software 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.
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.
MSFT
10.76
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
MSFT’s P/B Ratio of 10.76 is within the conventional range for the Software 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 | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 131.48 | 38.73 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.23 | 14.00 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.73 | 10.76 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 29.26 | 55.07 |