Ciena (CIEN) vs Verizon Communications (VZ)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Ciena (CIEN) has outperformed Verizon Communications (VZ) over the past year, gaining 194.7% versus a gain of 10.6%. Over five years, CIEN leads with a +754.4% price change compared with -12.4% for VZ. Verizon Communications is the larger company by market cap ($192.89 billion vs $60.57 billion), about 3.2 times the size, while Ciena is growing revenue faster (+18.8% vs +2.5%).
On valuation, Verizon Communications trades at a lower forward P/E (8.8x vs 36.1x for Ciena). Verizon Communications pays a dividend yielding 6.02%, while Ciena does not currently pay one. Verizon Communications converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.4% 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 | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $427.14 | $46.43 |
| Market cap | $60.57B | $192.89B |
| 1-day change | -4.33% | +1.43% |
| YTD return | +90.90% | +12.37% |
| 1-year return | +194.73% | +10.56% |
| 5-year return | +754.45% | -12.44% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 95.56 | 12.09 |
| Forward P/E | 36.11 | 8.78 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.47 | $3.84 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 6.02% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.80 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.77B | $138.19B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.79% | +2.52% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $123.34M | $17.17B |
| Gross margin | 42.04% | — |
| Operating margin | 4.14% | 21.17% |
| Net margin | 2.59% | 12.43% |
| 52-week high | $637.51 | $51.68 |
| 52-week low | $153.27 | $38.39 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -33.00% | -10.17% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +20.10% | +10.11% |
| Average volume | 2.38M | 21.91M |
| Shares outstanding | 141.81M | 4.15B |
| Employees | 8,898 | 97,600 |
| Sector | Utilities | Telecommunications |
| 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
- Verizon Communications is about 3.2 times larger than Ciena by market value ($192.89B vs $60.57B).
- CIEN has outperformed VZ by 184.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Ciena trades at a higher earnings multiple (95.6x vs 12.1x trailing P/E).
- Verizon Communications offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.02% vs 0.00%).
- Verizon Communications is more profitable, keeping 12.4 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 +2.52%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Ciena in Utilities and Verizon Communications in Telecommunications.
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 Verizon Communications
VZ stock →Verizon Communications Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of communications, technology, information, and streaming products and services to consumers, businesses, and governmental entities worldwide. It operates in two segments, Verizon Consumer Group (Consumer) and Verizon Business Group (Business).
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 97,600 employees
CIEN vs VZ FAQ
Which is bigger, Ciena or Verizon Communications?
Verizon Communications (VZ) is larger, with a market capitalization of $192.89B compared with $60.57B for Ciena (CIEN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CIEN or VZ?
CIEN returned +194.73% over the past 12 months, compared with +10.56% for VZ (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CIEN or VZ?
VZ has the lower trailing P/E at 12.1, versus 95.6 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 Verizon Communications?
Verizon Communications pays a dividend yielding 6.02%, while Ciena does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Ciena and Verizon Communications in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Telecommunications Equipment industry within the Utilities sector.