MEDP vs. CIEN

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

MEDP (Medpace Holdings, Inc.) and CIEN (Ciena Corporation) are both stocks. MEDP operates in Diagnostics & Research (Healthcare), while CIEN operates in Communication Equipment (Technology). Over the past 5 years, MEDP returned 21.82%/yr vs 50.68%/yr for CIEN. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MEDP vs. CIEN - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MEDP achieves a -18.47% return, which is significantly lower than CIEN's 99.54% return.

MEDP

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 8.00%
• YTD: -18.47%
• 6M: -16.62%
• 1Y: 54.44%
• 3Y*: 30.12%
• 5Y*: 21.82%
• 10Y*: —

CIEN

• 1D: -4.41%
• 1M: -14.86%
• YTD: 99.54%
• 6M: 119.17%
• 1Y: 541.74%
• 3Y*: 124.31%
• 5Y*: 50.68%
• 10Y*: 36.28%

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

MEDP vs. CIEN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MEDP Medpace Holdings, Inc.	-18.47%	69.05%	8.38%	44.31%	-2.40%	56.35%	65.60%	58.81%	45.97%	0.53%
CIEN Ciena Corporation	99.54%	175.76%	88.42%	-11.71%	-33.77%	45.64%	23.80%	25.89%	62.02%	-14.26%

Correlation

The correlation between MEDP and CIEN is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 12, 2016	0.32

The correlation between MEDP and CIEN shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (1 year) to 0.34 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap MEDP : $13.26B CIEN : $68.28B
EPS MEDP : $15.63 CIEN : $3.01
PE Ratio MEDP : 29.29 CIEN : 154.94
PS Ratio MEDP : 5.04 CIEN : 12.19
PB Ratio MEDP : 22.17 CIEN : 23.61
Total Revenue (TTM) MEDP : $2.68B CIEN : $5.57B
Gross Profit (TTM) MEDP : $778.59M CIEN : $2.40B
EBITDA (TTM) MEDP : $572.96M CIEN : $670.55M

Return for Risk

MEDP vs. CIEN — Risk / Return Rank

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

MEDP

MEDP Risk / Return Rank: 73
MEDP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
MEDP Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
MEDP Omega Ratio Rank: 82
MEDP Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
MEDP Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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

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.

MEDP vs. CIEN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Medpace Holdings, Inc. (MEDP) and Ciena Corporation (CIEN). 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.

	MEDP	CIEN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.79	8.23	-7.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.86	5.09	-3.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.76	-0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	21.37	-19.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.38	100.03	-96.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MEDP vs. CIEN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MEDP Sharpe Ratio is 0.79, which is lower than the CIEN Sharpe Ratio of 8.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MEDP and CIEN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MEDP	CIEN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79	8.23	-7.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	1.05	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.67	0.07	+0.60

Drawdowns

MEDP vs. CIEN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MEDP drawdown since its inception was -42.87%, smaller than the maximum CIEN drawdown of -99.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MEDP and CIEN.

Drawdown Indicators

	MEDP	CIEN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.87%	-99.51%	+56.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.61%	-25.57%	-11.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.38%	-45.51%	+6.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.87%	-49.54%	+6.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-49.54%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.22%	-55.41%	+29.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.91%	-87.11%	+74.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.16%	5.45%	+10.71%

Volatility

MEDP vs. CIEN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Medpace Holdings, Inc. (MEDP) is 6.61%, while Ciena Corporation (CIEN) has a volatility of 25.17%. This indicates that MEDP experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CIEN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MEDP	CIEN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.61%	25.17%	-18.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	37.78%	55.99%	-18.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	69.11%	66.51%	+2.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.61%	48.49%	+3.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.80%	44.33%	+5.47%

Dividends

MEDP vs. CIEN - Dividend Comparison

Neither MEDP nor CIEN has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

MEDP vs. CIEN - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Medpace Holdings, Inc. and Ciena Corporation over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

MEDP - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Medpace Holdings, Inc. reported a gross profit of 196.33M and revenue of 706.60M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 27.8%.

CIEN - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Ciena Corporation reported a gross profit of 691.55M and revenue of 1.57B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 44.0%.

MEDP - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Medpace Holdings, Inc. reported an operating income of 141.50M and revenue of 706.60M, resulting in an operating margin of 20.0%.

CIEN - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Ciena Corporation reported an operating income of 237.87M and revenue of 1.57B, resulting in an operating margin of 15.1%.

MEDP - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Medpace Holdings, Inc. reported a net income of 123.87M and revenue of 706.60M, resulting in a net margin of 17.5%.

CIEN - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Ciena Corporation reported a net income of 218.22M and revenue of 1.57B, resulting in a net margin of 13.9%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MEDP and CIEN in my portfolio?

MEDP and CIEN have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MEDP or CIEN?

CIEN has higher volatility (25.17%) compared to MEDP (6.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MEDP dropped -42.87% vs CIEN's -99.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CIEN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.23 vs 0.79), 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.