CIEN vs. WDC: Ciena vs. Western Digital Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Ciena (CIEN) and Western Digital (WDC) 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 Western Digital (WDC) both fall under the Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group, but CIEN is classified in Communications Equipment while WDC is classified in Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals.

Company profile comparison for Ciena (CIEN) and Western Digital (WDC)
Profile Item	CIEN	WDC
Name	Ciena Corp.	Western Digital 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	98.74 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	NYSE	Nasdaq
Listing Date	February 7, 1997	October 31, 1978
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

CIEN

WDC

GSPC

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Western Digital (WDC), 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

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Trailing total returns for Ciena (CIEN) and Western Digital (WDC). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	CIEN	WDC
Total Return (1Y)	36.49%	78.89%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	84.56%	106.11%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	35.01%	47.06%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

CIEN

WDC

GSPC

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Western Digital (WDC), 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

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

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	CIEN	WDC
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	81.12%	83.20%
Beta (5Y)	1.39	2.35
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-63.19%	-64.64%
Avg. Volume (3M)	2.83M	8.01M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

CIEN and WDC 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 Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	CIEN	WDC
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.40	0.90
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	0.56	1.32

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but Western Digital (WDC) at 129.60% 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%

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

129.60%

WDC: 129.60%
Max: 42.47%
Q3: 19.13%
Median: 11.00%
Q1: 1.63%
Min: -20.62%

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

Net Margin (TTM)

Western Digital (WDC) at 69.20% 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%

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

69.20%

WDC: 69.20%
Max: 27.60%
Q3: 11.66%
Median: 4.08%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: -11.02%

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

Operating Margin (TTM)

Western Digital (WDC) at 47.68% 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%

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

47.68%

WDC: 47.68%
Max: 36.27%
Q3: 18.36%
Median: 8.84%
Q1: 1.46%
Min: -21.39%

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

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	CIEN	WDC
ROE (TTM)	22.40%	129.60%
ROA (TTM)	7.73%	25.88%
Net Margin (TTM)	10.87%	69.20%
Operating Margin (TTM)	18.08%	47.68%
Gross Margin (TTM)	44.07%	52.60%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Western Digital (WDC) at 35.70% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while Ciena (CIEN) at 18.79% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for WDC.

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both companies show strong earnings momentum, but Western Digital (WDC) at 372.38% is the standout with EPS growth above its industry range; Ciena (CIEN) at 46.55% also sits in the top quartile.

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Western Digital (WDC): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	CIEN	WDC
Revenue Growth (YoY)	18.79%	35.70%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	9.50%	27.35%
EPS Growth (YoY)	46.55%	372.38%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	-5.27%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Western Digital (WDC) at 1.43 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

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

1.43

Max: 5.34
Q3: 3.02
Median: 1.95
WDC: 1.43
Q1: 1.32
Min: 0.17

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

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Western Digital (WDC) at 0.10 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Ciena (CIEN) at 1.07 uses more debt funding than most peers.

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

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

0.10

Max: 1.76
Q3: 0.78
Median: 0.24
WDC: 0.10
Q1: 0.04
Min: 0.01

Ciena (CIEN) vs. Western Digital (WDC): 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 Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	CIEN	WDC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	3.80	1.43
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	1.07	0.10
Net Debt / EBITDA	0.64	-0.06

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Ciena (CIEN) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Western Digital (WDC) reports a yield of 0.21%, ranking against industry peers normally.

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%

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

0.21%

Max: 0.73%
Q3: 0.31%
WDC: 0.21%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Ciena (CIEN) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Western Digital (WDC) reports a payout of 1.93%, ranking against industry peers normally.

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%

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

1.93%

Max: 32.27%
Q3: 14.48%
WDC: 1.93%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

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

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	CIEN	WDC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.21%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	1.93%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Western Digital (WDC) at 9.28 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

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

9.28

Max: 69.48
Q3: 41.02
Median: 26.39
Q1: 19.36
WDC: 9.28
Min: 6.07

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

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Ciena (CIEN) at 5.73 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Western Digital (WDC) at 6.82 sits in the pricier quartile — WDC costs more per dollar of sales.

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

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

6.82

Max: 11.30
WDC: 6.82
Q3: 5.82
Median: 2.56
Q1: 1.05
Min: 0.00

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

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both look rich against book: Western Digital (WDC) at 10.55 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

WDC

Technology Hardware & Equipment industry group

10.55

Max: 10.75
WDC: 10.55
Q3: 5.52
Median: 3.17
Q1: 1.79
Min: 0.33

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

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Ciena (CIEN) and Western Digital (WDC)
Metric	CIEN	WDC
P/E Ratio (TTM)	54.45	9.28
P/S Ratio (TTM)	5.73	6.82
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	11.30	10.55
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	1.84%	2.76%