CIEN vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

CIEN (Ciena Corporation) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, CIEN returned 35.80%/yr vs 21.79%/yr for QQQ. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

CIEN vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ciena Corporation (CIEN) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CIEN achieves a 90.70% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 17.57% return. Over the past 10 years, CIEN has outperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 35.80%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively lower 21.79% annualized return.

CIEN

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: -22.83%
• YTD: 90.70%
• 6M: 104.17%
• 1Y: 501.62%
• 3Y*: 119.10%
• 5Y*: 49.92%
• 10Y*: 35.80%

QQQ

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 0.93%
• YTD: 17.57%
• 6M: 17.85%
• 1Y: 35.82%
• 3Y*: 26.43%
• 5Y*: 16.85%
• 10Y*: 21.79%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

CIEN vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CIEN Ciena Corporation	90.70%	175.76%	88.42%	-11.71%	-33.77%	45.64%	23.80%	25.89%	62.02%	-14.26%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	17.57%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between CIEN and QQQ is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999	0.55

The correlation between CIEN and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CIEN vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CIEN

CIEN Risk / Return Rank: 99
CIEN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
CIEN Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
CIEN Omega Ratio Rank: 98
CIEN Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
CIEN Martin Ratio Rank: 100

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 71
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 70

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CIEN vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ciena Corporation (CIEN) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CIEN	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	7.58	2.09	+5.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.89	2.73	+2.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.72	1.37	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	16.49	3.01	+13.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	76.44	11.22	+65.22

CIEN vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CIEN Sharpe Ratio is 7.58, which is higher than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CIEN and QQQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CIEN vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CIEN drawdown since its inception was -99.51%, which is greater than QQQ's maximum drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CIEN and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	CIEN	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.51%	-82.97%	-16.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-30.68%	-11.96%	-18.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-45.51%	-22.77%	-22.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.54%	-35.12%	-14.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.54%	-35.12%	-14.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-57.38%	-3.33%	-54.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-87.08%	-32.75%	-54.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.61%	3.20%	+3.41%

Volatility

CIEN vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Ciena Corporation (CIEN) has a higher volatility of 24.81% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 7.56%. This indicates that CIEN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CIEN	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	24.81%	7.56%	+17.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	56.12%	13.81%	+42.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	66.74%	17.19%	+49.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	48.55%	22.55%	+26.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.35%	22.38%	+21.97%

Dividends

CIEN vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

CIEN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CIEN Ciena Corporation	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.39%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CIEN and QQQ in my portfolio?

CIEN and QQQ have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CIEN or QQQ?

CIEN has higher volatility (24.81%) compared to QQQ (7.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CIEN dropped -99.51% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CIEN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.58 vs 2.09), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.