Ciena (CIEN) vs Motorola Solutions (MSI)
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 Motorola Solutions (MSI) over the past year, gaining 195.5% versus a loss of 1.6%. Over five years, CIEN leads with a +756.6% price change compared with +86.9% for MSI. Motorola Solutions is the larger company by market cap ($74.20 billion vs $63.31 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Ciena is growing revenue faster (+18.8% vs +8.0%).
On valuation, Motorola Solutions trades at a lower forward P/E (23.1x vs 37.7x for Ciena). Motorola Solutions pays a dividend yielding 1.05%, while Ciena does not currently pay one. Motorola Solutions converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.4% 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 | MSI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $446.45 | $448.33 |
| Market cap | $63.31B | $74.20B |
| 1-day change | +0.63% | -1.74% |
| YTD return | +91.38% | +17.73% |
| 1-year return | +195.46% | -1.57% |
| 5-year return | +756.59% | +86.94% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 99.88 | 35.30 |
| Forward P/E | 37.74 | 23.07 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.47 | $12.70 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.05% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $4.72 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.77B | $11.68B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.79% | +8.00% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $123.34M | $2.15B |
| Gross margin | 42.04% | 51.66% |
| Operating margin | 4.14% | 25.58% |
| Net margin | 2.59% | 18.44% |
| 52-week high | $637.51 | $494.85 |
| 52-week low | $152.54 | $359.36 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -29.97% | -9.40% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +14.90% | +17.53% |
| Average volume | 2.35M | 923.16K |
| Shares outstanding | 141.81M | 165.49M |
| Employees | 8,898 | 23,000 |
| Sector | Utilities | Technology |
| Industry | Telecommunications Equipment | Radio And Television Broadcasting And Communications 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
- CIEN has outperformed MSI by 197.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Ciena trades at a higher earnings multiple (99.9x vs 35.3x trailing P/E).
- Motorola Solutions offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.05% vs 0.00%).
- Motorola Solutions is more profitable, keeping 18.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.6 cents for Ciena.
- Ciena grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.79% vs +8.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Ciena in Utilities and Motorola Solutions in Technology.
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 Motorola Solutions
MSI stock →Motorola Solutions, Inc. provides public safety, government, defense, and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally.
Technology · Radio And Television Broadcasting And Communications Equipment · 23,000 employees
CIEN vs MSI FAQ
Which is bigger, Ciena or Motorola Solutions?
Motorola Solutions (MSI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $74.20B compared with $63.31B for Ciena (CIEN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CIEN or MSI?
CIEN returned +195.46% over the past 12 months, compared with -1.57% for MSI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CIEN or MSI?
MSI has the lower trailing P/E at 35.3, 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 Motorola Solutions?
Motorola Solutions pays a dividend yielding 1.05%, while Ciena does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Ciena and Motorola Solutions in the same industry?
No. Ciena is in the Utilities sector, while Motorola Solutions is in Technology.