CIEN vs. PSTG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CIEN and PSTG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CIEN | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ciena Corporation | Pure Storage, 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 | 19.46 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 7, 1997 | October 6, 2015 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CIEN and PSTG 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 | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.55% | 3.01% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 19.81% | 11.64% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 1.65% | -14.57% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 95.18% | 4.13% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.96% | 0.05% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 11.61% | -3.06% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.61M | 2.00M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.05M | 2.64M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 40.51% | 40.02% |
| Beta | 1.07 | 1.18 |
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.
PSTG
9.44%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 29.40%
- Median
- 9.11%
- Q1
- 6.06%
- Min
- -0.79%
PSTG’s Return on Equity of 9.44% 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.
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.
PSTG
3.93%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 13.86%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.62%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- -0.21%
PSTG’s Net Profit Margin of 3.93% 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.
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.
PSTG
2.95%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 17.80%
- Q3
- 10.33%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- 2.53%
PSTG’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.95% is in the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 3.72% | 9.44% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 1.87% | 3.32% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.46% | 3.93% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.66% | 2.95% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.94% | 69.26% |
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.
PSTG
1.61
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 2.47
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.70
PSTG’s Current Ratio of 1.61 aligns with the median group of the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 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.
PSTG
0.08
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 1.47
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.19
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry, PSTG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.08 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
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.
PSTG
-2.95
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 204.63
- Q3
- 90.22
- Median
- 21.70
- Q1
- 6.79
- Min
- -23.93
PSTG has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -2.95. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.40 | 1.61 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.27 | 1.40 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 0.08 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.65 | -2.95 |
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.
PSTG
0.00%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.50%
- Q3
- 3.66%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PSTG 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
- 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.
PSTG
0.00%
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 142.87%
- Q3
- 66.07%
- Median
- 42.79%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PSTG 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 | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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.
PSTG
151.99
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 43.16
- Q3
- 27.56
- Median
- 17.85
- Q1
- 12.48
- Min
- 6.21
At 151.99, PSTG’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
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.
PSTG
5.97
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 4.27
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 0.93
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.04
With a P/S Ratio of 5.97, PSTG trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
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.
PSTG
12.51
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Industry
- Max
- 12.51
- Q3
- 6.11
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.31
PSTG’s P/B Ratio of 12.51 is in the upper tier for the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | PSTG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 131.48 | 151.99 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.23 | 5.97 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.73 | 12.51 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 29.26 | 34.32 |