Ciena (CIEN) vs Corning (GLW)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Ciena (CIEN) has outperformed Corning (GLW) over the past year, gaining 194.7% versus a gain of 91.9%. Over five years, CIEN leads with a +754.4% price change compared with +330.2% for GLW. Corning is the larger company by market cap ($140.62 billion vs $63.31 billion), about 2.2 times the size.
On valuation, Corning trades at a lower forward P/E (37.4x vs 37.7x for Ciena). Corning pays a dividend yielding 0.69%, while Ciena does not currently pay one. Corning converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 10.2% versus 2.6%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CIEN | GLW |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $446.45 | $163.25 |
| Market cap | $63.31B | $140.62B |
| 1-day change | +0.63% | -3.39% |
| YTD return | +90.90% | +86.44% |
| 1-year return | +194.73% | +91.92% |
| 5-year return | +754.45% | +330.17% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 99.88 | 74.89 |
| Forward P/E | 37.74 | 37.37 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.47 | $2.18 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.69% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.77B | $15.63B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.79% | +19.14% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $123.34M | $1.60B |
| Gross margin | 42.04% | 35.97% |
| Operating margin | 4.14% | 14.58% |
| Net margin | 2.59% | 10.21% |
| 52-week high | $637.51 | $271.78 |
| 52-week low | $152.54 | $77.39 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -29.97% | -39.93% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +14.90% | +14.98% |
| Average volume | 2.35M | 10.33M |
| Shares outstanding | 141.81M | 861.39M |
| Employees | 8,898 | 67,200 |
| Sector | Utilities | Industrials |
| Industry | Telecommunications Equipment | Telecommunications Equipment |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Corning is about 2.2 times larger than Ciena by market value ($140.62B vs $63.31B).
- CIEN has outperformed GLW by 102.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Ciena trades at a higher earnings multiple (99.9x vs 74.9x trailing P/E).
- Corning is more profitable, keeping 10.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.6 cents for Ciena.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Ciena in Utilities and Corning in Industrials.
About Ciena
CIEN stock →Ciena Corporation, a network technology company, provides hardware, software, and services for various network operators in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, Japan, and India. It operates through Networking Platforms, Platform Software and Services, Blue Planet Automation Software and Services, and Global Services segments.
Utilities · Telecommunications Equipment · 8,898 employees
About Corning
GLW stock →Corning Incorporated operates in optical communications, display, specialty materials, automotive, and life sciences businesses in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Germany, and internationally. The company provides optical fibers and cables; and hardware and equipment products, such as cable assemblies, fiber optic hardware and connectors, optical components and couplers, closures, network interface devices, and other accessories for the telecommunications industry, businesses, governments, and individuals.
Industrials · Telecommunications Equipment · 67,200 employees
CIEN vs GLW FAQ
Which is bigger, Ciena or Corning?
Corning (GLW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $140.62B compared with $63.31B for Ciena (CIEN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CIEN or GLW?
CIEN returned +194.73% over the past 12 months, compared with +91.92% for GLW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CIEN or GLW?
GLW has the lower trailing P/E at 74.9, versus 99.9 for CIEN. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Ciena or Corning?
Corning pays a dividend yielding 0.69%, while Ciena does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Ciena and Corning in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Telecommunications Equipment industry within the Utilities sector.