CIEN vs. SAP: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CIEN and SAP, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
CIEN is a standard domestic listing, while SAP trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | CIEN | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ciena Corporation | SAP SE |
| Country | United States | Germany |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Communications Equipment | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 21.41 billion USD | 315.54 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 7, 1997 | September 18, 1995 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CIEN and SAP 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 | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.09% | 2.04% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 86.10% | -11.87% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 150.62% | -7.61% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 129.40% | 14.90% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.97% | 0.99% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 78.58% | -2.60% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.60M | 1.32M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.49M | 1.48M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 56.31% | 29.37% |
| Beta | 1.15 | 0.99 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CIEN
5.04%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 32.30%
- Q3
- 20.90%
- Median
- 9.10%
- Q1
- 4.29%
- Min
- -13.50%
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.
SAP
15.09%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.28%
- Q3
- 21.28%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- -8.77%
- Min
- -48.16%
SAP’s Return on Equity of 15.09% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CIEN
3.10%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 23.65%
- Q3
- 12.56%
- Median
- 5.62%
- Q1
- 2.50%
- Min
- -3.09%
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.
SAP
18.23%
Software Industry
- Max
- 51.92%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 6.98%
- Q1
- -7.14%
- Min
- -41.00%
SAP’s Net Profit Margin of 18.23% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software 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
- 25.23%
- Q3
- 13.72%
- Median
- 6.44%
- Q1
- 3.00%
- Min
- -10.95%
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.
SAP
25.13%
Software Industry
- Max
- 60.40%
- Q3
- 21.25%
- Median
- 9.90%
- Q1
- -4.97%
- Min
- -43.50%
An Operating Profit Margin of 25.13% places SAP 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 | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 5.04% | 15.09% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.49% | 9.09% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.10% | 18.23% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.41% | 25.13% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.57% | 73.80% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CIEN
3.28
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.33
- Q3
- 2.13
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 1.15
- 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.
SAP
1.03
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
SAP’s Current Ratio of 1.03 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
- 1.44
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.22
- 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.
SAP
0.21
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.16
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
SAP’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.21 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
- 55.49
- Q3
- 34.19
- Median
- 7.59
- 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.
SAP
32.64
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 32.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- -9.84
- Min
- -71.23
SAP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.64 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.28 | 1.03 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.28 | 1.03 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 0.21 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.65 | 32.64 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CIEN
0.00%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 8.13%
- Q3
- 3.29%
- Median
- 0.94%
- 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.
SAP
1.01%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.22%
- Q3
- 0.11%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
SAP’s Dividend Yield of 1.01% 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
- 70.91%
- 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.
SAP
161.64%
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.29%
- Q3
- 2.41%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 161.64%, SAP’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 | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.01% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 161.64% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CIEN
152.85
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 103.74
- Q3
- 61.65
- Median
- 26.20
- Q1
- 18.12
- Min
- 4.19
At 152.85, 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.
SAP
41.41
Software Industry
- Max
- 145.74
- Q3
- 94.88
- Median
- 45.35
- Q1
- 26.66
- Min
- 8.80
SAP’s P/E Ratio of 41.41 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
4.74
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.86
- Q3
- 6.24
- Median
- 2.44
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.48
CIEN’s P/S Ratio of 4.74 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.
SAP
7.55
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.67
- Q3
- 13.68
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 4.95
- Min
- 0.90
SAP’s P/S Ratio of 7.55 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CIEN
4.70
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.28
- Q3
- 5.73
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.02
- 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.
SAP
7.74
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.67
- Q3
- 14.92
- Median
- 8.52
- Q1
- 3.89
- Min
- 0.38
SAP’s P/B Ratio of 7.74 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 | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 152.85 | 41.41 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.74 | 7.55 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.70 | 7.74 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 35.56 | 37.05 |