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

Updated on August 20, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	CIEN	TER
Company Name	Ciena Corporation	Teradyne, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Communications Equipment	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
Market Capitalization	13.38 billion USD	18.14 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	February 7, 1997	February 21, 1973
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CIEN and TER 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. TER: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CIEN	TER
5-Day Price Return	-0.55%	7.09%
13-Week Price Return	19.81%	37.26%
26-Week Price Return	1.65%	-0.05%
52-Week Price Return	95.18%	-6.79%
Month-to-Date Return	1.96%	6.12%
Year-to-Date Return	11.61%	-9.46%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.61M	4.71M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.05M	3.82M
3-Month Volatility	40.51%	53.16%
Beta	1.07	1.81

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.

TER

16.52%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 52.74%
Q3: 23.49%
Median: 11.60%
Q1: 3.23%
Min: -20.69%

TER’s Return on Equity of 16.52% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

CIEN vs. TER: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.

TER

16.59%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 44.17%
Q3: 22.38%
Median: 11.95%
Q1: 3.21%
Min: -25.16%

TER’s Net Profit Margin of 16.59% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

CIEN vs. TER: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.

TER

18.29%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 58.03%
Q3: 27.84%
Median: 12.45%
Q1: 5.15%
Min: -28.61%

TER’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.29% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

CIEN vs. TER: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CIEN	TER
Return on Equity (TTM)	3.72%	16.52%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.87%	12.56%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	2.46%	16.59%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	4.66%	18.29%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	41.94%	59.14%

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.

TER

2.35

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 8.42
Q3: 4.70
Median: 2.75
Q1: 2.07
Min: 1.04

TER’s Current Ratio of 2.35 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

CIEN vs. TER: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.

TER

0.00

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 1.09
Q3: 0.45
Median: 0.22
Q1: 0.01
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, TER’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

CIEN vs. TER: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.

TER

135.68

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 174.00
Q3: 81.10
Median: 27.22
Q1: 7.28
Min: -4.26

TER’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 135.68 is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

CIEN vs. TER: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CIEN	TER
Current Ratio (MRQ)	3.40	2.35
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	2.27	1.21
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.55	0.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	3.65	135.68

Growth

Revenue Growth

CIEN vs. TER: 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. TER: 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.

TER

0.43%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 4.16%
Q3: 1.78%
Median: 0.74%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

TER’s Dividend Yield of 0.43% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

CIEN vs. TER: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.

TER

16.55%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 196.12%
Q3: 87.72%
Median: 26.57%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

TER’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 16.55% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

CIEN vs. TER: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CIEN	TER
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.43%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	16.55%

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.

TER

38.58

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 109.37
Q3: 57.11
Median: 28.95
Q1: 22.13
Min: 11.14

TER’s P/E Ratio of 38.58 is within the middle range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

CIEN vs. TER: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.

TER

6.40

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 16.09
Q3: 10.10
Median: 4.82
Q1: 2.60
Min: 0.93

TER’s P/S Ratio of 6.40 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

CIEN vs. TER: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.

TER

5.08

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 13.56
Q3: 6.75
Median: 3.68
Q1: 1.89
Min: 0.60

TER’s P/B Ratio of 5.08 is within the conventional range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor 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.

CIEN vs. TER: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CIEN	TER
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	131.48	38.58
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.23	6.40
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.73	5.08
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	29.26	31.82