CIEN vs. SNDK: Ciena vs. Sandisk Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK) both fall under the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group, but CIEN is classified in Communications Equipment while SNDK is classified in Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals.

Ciena (CIEN) carries decades of public-market history since February 7, 1997, while Sandisk (SNDK) listed on February 13, 2025 — long-window comparisons have far more historical data on the CIEN side.

Company profile comparison for Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK)
Profile Item	CIEN	SNDK
Name	Ciena Corp.	Sandisk Corp.
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry Group	Technology Hardware & Equipment	Technology Hardware & Equipment
GICS Industry	Communications Equipment	Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
GICS Sub-Industry	Communications Equipment	Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
Market Capitalization	34.51 billion USD	118.82 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	NYSE	Nasdaq
Listing Date	February 7, 1997	February 13, 2025
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

CIEN

SNDK

GSPC

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

Loading price history…

Trailing total returns for Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

Loading price history…

Calendar-year total returns for Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK)
Metric	CIEN	SNDK
Total Return (1Y)	36.49%	270.34%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	84.56%	--
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	35.01%	--

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

CIEN

SNDK

GSPC

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

Loading price history…

Distribution of monthly total returns for Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK)
Metric	CIEN	SNDK
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	81.12%	113.97%
Beta (5Y)	1.39	6.00
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-63.19%	-65.46%
Avg. Volume (3M)	2.83M	10.75M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

CIEN and SNDK are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK)
Metric	CIEN	SNDK
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.40	2.33
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	0.56	3.66

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but Sandisk (SNDK) at 141.17% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Ciena (CIEN) at 22.40% also sits in the top quartile.

CIEN

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

22.40%

Max: 42.47%
CIEN: 22.40%
Q3: 19.13%
Median: 11.00%
Q1: 1.63%
Min: -20.62%

SNDK

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

141.17%

SNDK: 141.17%
Max: 42.47%
Q3: 19.13%
Median: 11.00%
Q1: 1.63%
Min: -20.62%

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK): A comparison of their ROE against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Sandisk (SNDK) at 67.04% converts revenue to bottom-line profit above its industry’s benchmark range, while Ciena (CIEN) at 10.87% keeps roughly the typical share for its industry.

CIEN

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

10.87%

Max: 27.60%
Q3: 11.66%
CIEN: 10.87%
Median: 4.08%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: -11.02%

SNDK

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

67.04%

SNDK: 67.04%
Max: 27.60%
Q3: 11.66%
Median: 4.08%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: -11.02%

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK): A comparison of their net margin against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Sandisk (SNDK) at 79.59% turns sales into operating profit above its industry’s benchmark range, while Ciena (CIEN) at 18.08% operates around its industry’s norm.

CIEN

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

18.08%

Max: 36.27%
Q3: 18.36%
CIEN: 18.08%
Median: 8.84%
Q1: 1.46%
Min: -21.39%

SNDK

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

79.59%

SNDK: 79.59%
Max: 36.27%
Q3: 18.36%
Median: 8.84%
Q1: 1.46%
Min: -21.39%

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK): A comparison of their operating margin against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK)
Metric	CIEN	SNDK
ROE (TTM)	22.40%	141.17%
ROA (TTM)	7.73%	68.29%
Net Margin (TTM)	10.87%	67.04%
Operating Margin (TTM)	18.08%	79.59%
Gross Margin (TTM)	44.07%	79.95%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Sandisk (SNDK) at 175.30% clears its industry range for revenue growth, far stronger top-line momentum than Ciena (CIEN) at 18.79%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: Ciena (CIEN) reports EPS growth of 46.55%, ranked against its industry; Sandisk (SNDK) has no EPS growth figure this period.

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK)
Metric	CIEN	SNDK
Revenue Growth (YoY)	18.79%	175.30%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	9.50%	49.29%
EPS Growth (YoY)	46.55%	--
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	-5.27%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Sandisk (SNDK) at 2.58 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Ciena (CIEN) at 3.80 sits above its industry’s typical mid-range — comfortable liquidity, though possibly with more idle current assets relative to peers.

CIEN

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

3.80

Max: 5.34
CIEN: 3.80
Q3: 3.02
Median: 1.95
Q1: 1.32
Min: 0.17

SNDK

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

2.58

Max: 5.34
Q3: 3.02
SNDK: 2.58
Median: 1.95
Q1: 1.32
Min: 0.17

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK): A comparison of their current ratio against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Sandisk (SNDK) at 0.01 keeps leverage in the lower quartile, while Ciena (CIEN) at 1.07 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.

CIEN

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

1.07

Max: 1.76
CIEN: 1.07
Q3: 0.78
Median: 0.24
Q1: 0.04
Min: 0.01

SNDK

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

0.01

Max: 1.76
Q3: 0.78
Median: 0.24
Q1: 0.04
SNDK: 0.01
Min: 0.01

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK)
Metric	CIEN	SNDK
Current Ratio (MRQ)	3.80	2.58
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	1.07	0.01
Net Debt / EBITDA	0.64	-0.24

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Neither Ciena (CIEN) nor Sandisk (SNDK) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

CIEN

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

0.00%

Max: 0.73%
Q3: 0.31%
CIEN: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

SNDK

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

0.00%

Max: 0.73%
Q3: 0.31%
SNDK: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Neither Ciena (CIEN) nor Sandisk (SNDK) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

CIEN

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

0.00%

Max: 32.27%
Q3: 14.48%
CIEN: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

SNDK

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

0.00%

Max: 32.27%
Q3: 14.48%
SNDK: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK)
Metric	CIEN	SNDK
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Sandisk (SNDK) at 6.67 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Ciena (CIEN) at 54.45 sits in the richer quartile — a clear split in what investors pay for each dollar of trailing earnings.

CIEN

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

54.45

Max: 69.48
CIEN: 54.45
Q3: 41.02
Median: 26.39
Q1: 19.36
Min: 6.07

SNDK

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

6.67

Max: 69.48
Q3: 41.02
Median: 26.39
Q1: 19.36
SNDK: 6.67
Min: 6.07

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

On P/S ratio, both Ciena (CIEN) at 5.73 and Sandisk (SNDK) at 4.10 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

CIEN

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

5.73

Max: 11.30
Q3: 5.82
CIEN: 5.73
Median: 2.56
Q1: 1.05
Min: 0.00

SNDK

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

4.10

Max: 11.30
Q3: 5.82
SNDK: 4.10
Median: 2.56
Q1: 1.05
Min: 0.00

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both look rich against book: Sandisk (SNDK) at 6.63 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Ciena (CIEN) at 11.30 prices even higher, above its industry range.

CIEN

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

11.30

CIEN: 11.30
Max: 10.75
Q3: 5.52
Median: 3.17
Q1: 1.79
Min: 0.33

SNDK

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

6.63

Max: 10.75
SNDK: 6.63
Q3: 5.52
Median: 3.17
Q1: 1.79
Min: 0.33

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Sandisk (SNDK): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Sandisk (SNDK)
Metric	CIEN	SNDK
P/E Ratio (TTM)	54.45	6.67
P/S Ratio (TTM)	5.73	4.10
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	11.30	6.63
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	1.84%	9.46%