CIEN vs CSCO
Ciena (CIEN) and Cisco (CSCO) compared side by side. Cisco (CSCO) is larger, with a market cap of $419.9B versus $45.4B for Ciena, about 9.2 times the size. On trailing earnings, CSCO is cheaper at 32.0x versus 71.6x for CIEN.
Head to head
| Metric | CIEN | CSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Market cap | $45.4B | $419.9B |
| P/E (TTM) | 71.6x | 32.0x |
| Forward P/E | 27.0x | 18.9x |
| Revenue (TTM) | $6.0B | $63.3B |
| Revenue growth | 37.0% | 17.6% |
| Gross margin | 44.1% | 64.5% |
| Operating margin | 18.1% | 27.7% |
| Free cash flow | $814.4M | $12.8B |
| Dividend yield | None | 1.58% |
| 1-year return | +85.6% | +54.4% |
| 5-year return (annual) | +43.5% | +17.3% |
| Max drawdown | -100% | -89% |
| FI Handbook grade | B- | B+ |
Highlighted: the stronger figure on metrics where higher or lower is clearly better.
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CIEN vs CSCO FAQ
Which is bigger, CIEN or CSCO?
Cisco (CSCO) is larger, with a market cap of $419.9B versus $45.4B for Ciena, about 9.2 times the size.
Is CIEN or CSCO cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CSCO is cheaper at 32.0x versus 71.6x for CIEN. A lower P/E can reflect slower expected growth, so compare growth and margins too.
Which stock performed better over the past year, CIEN or CSCO?
CIEN returned +85.6% over the past year including dividends, versus +54.4% for CSCO, through October 23, 2026.
Which pays a higher dividend, CIEN or CSCO?
CSCO yields 1.58%; CIEN does not pay a dividend.