CIEN vs. UMC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CIEN and UMC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
CIEN is a standard domestic listing, while UMC trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | CIEN | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ciena Corporation | United Microelectronics Corporation |
| Country | United States | Taiwan |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Communications Equipment | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 27.29 billion USD | 17.77 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 7, 1997 | September 19, 2000 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CIEN and UMC 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 | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -8.16% | -2.32% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 110.97% | 8.61% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 137.88% | -4.95% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 168.50% | 8.46% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.94% | -4.85% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 126.05% | 2.56% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.17M | 46.40M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.47M | 39.83M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 61.30% | 21.77% |
| Beta | 1.15 | 0.25 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CIEN
5.04%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 31.28%
- Q3
- 24.67%
- Median
- 13.12%
- Q1
- 4.60%
- Min
- -12.73%
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.
UMC
10.95%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 49.05%
- Q3
- 22.19%
- Median
- 7.96%
- Q1
- 0.99%
- Min
- -15.65%
UMC’s Return on Equity of 10.95% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CIEN
3.10%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 28.72%
- Q3
- 14.02%
- Median
- 5.41%
- Q1
- 2.50%
- Min
- -13.11%
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.
UMC
17.01%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.41%
- Q3
- 24.47%
- Median
- 11.88%
- Q1
- 0.60%
- Min
- -25.46%
UMC’s Net Profit Margin of 17.01% 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CIEN
5.41%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 33.69%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.02%
- Q1
- 3.00%
- Min
- -4.94%
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.
UMC
18.50%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.09%
- Q3
- 27.76%
- Median
- 12.14%
- Q1
- 3.29%
- Min
- -32.60%
UMC’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.50% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 5.04% | 10.95% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.49% | 7.15% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.10% | 17.01% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.41% | 18.50% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 41.57% | 28.92% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CIEN
3.28
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.28
- Q3
- 2.10
- Median
- 1.52
- Q1
- 1.17
- 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.
UMC
2.34
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.57
- Q3
- 4.28
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 2.22
- Min
- 1.02
UMC’s Current Ratio of 2.34 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.43
- Q1
- 0.21
- 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.
UMC
0.25
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.18
- Q3
- 0.48
- Median
- 0.24
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
UMC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.25 is typical for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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
- 8.92
- 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.
UMC
313.16
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 81.21
- Median
- 22.37
- Q1
- 6.43
- Min
- -7.80
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 313.16, UMC demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.28 | 2.34 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.28 | 1.88 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.55 | 0.25 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.65 | 313.16 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CIEN
0.00%
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 2.99%
- Q3
- 2.30%
- Median
- 0.91%
- 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.
UMC
6.46%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 3.58%
- Q3
- 1.59%
- Median
- 0.61%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UMC’s Dividend Yield of 6.46% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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
- 61.16%
- 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.
UMC
152.43%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 211.90%
- Q3
- 88.01%
- Median
- 25.84%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UMC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 152.43% is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 6.46% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 152.43% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CIEN
191.95
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 74.67
- Q3
- 56.42
- Median
- 31.00
- Q1
- 15.93
- Min
- 3.89
At 191.95, 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.
UMC
13.80
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 95.58
- Q3
- 58.67
- Median
- 34.77
- Q1
- 25.45
- Min
- 12.63
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, UMC’s P/E Ratio of 13.80 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CIEN
5.95
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 11.84
- Q3
- 5.68
- Median
- 2.55
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 0.40
CIEN’s P/S Ratio of 5.95 is in the upper echelon for the Communications Equipment 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.
UMC
2.35
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 18.34
- Q3
- 10.38
- Median
- 5.38
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.32
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, UMC’s P/S Ratio of 2.35 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CIEN
4.70
Communications Equipment Industry
- Max
- 6.02
- Q3
- 6.01
- Median
- 3.83
- Q1
- 2.41
- 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.
UMC
1.58
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.22
- Q3
- 8.33
- Median
- 4.39
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.30
UMC’s P/B Ratio of 1.58 is in the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CIEN | UMC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 191.95 | 13.80 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.95 | 2.35 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.70 | 1.58 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 44.66 | 12.20 |