MSFT vs. CIEN
MSFT (Microsoft Corporation) and CIEN (Ciena Corporation) are both stocks. Both are in the Technology sector — MSFT in Software - Infrastructure, CIEN in Communication Equipment. Over the past 10 years, MSFT returned 24.64%/yr vs 36.28%/yr for CIEN. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MSFT vs. CIEN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSFT achieves a -14.48% return, which is significantly lower than CIEN's 99.54% return. Over the past 10 years, MSFT has underperformed CIEN with an annualized return of 24.64%, while CIEN has yielded a comparatively higher 36.28% annualized return.
MSFT
- 1D
- -1.18%
- 1M
- -0.60%
- YTD
- -14.48%
- 6M
- -15.77%
- 1Y
- -11.77%
- 3Y*
- 8.85%
- 5Y*
- 11.09%
- 10Y*
- 24.64%
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%
MSFT vs. CIEN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSFT Microsoft Corporation | -14.48% | 15.58% | 12.93% | 58.19% | -28.02% | 52.48% | 42.53% | 57.56% | 20.80% | 40.73% |
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 MSFT and CIEN is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 10, 1997 | 0.36 |
The correlation between MSFT and CIEN shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (1 year) to 0.42 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
MSFT:
$3.07T
CIEN:
$68.28B
MSFT:
$16.79
CIEN:
$3.01
MSFT:
24.52
CIEN:
154.94
MSFT:
9.65
CIEN:
12.19
MSFT:
7.40
CIEN:
23.61
MSFT:
$318.27B
CIEN:
$5.57B
MSFT:
$217.41B
CIEN:
$2.40B
MSFT:
$200.96B
CIEN:
$670.55M
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Return for Risk
MSFT vs. CIEN — Risk / Return Rank
MSFT
CIEN
MSFT vs. CIEN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) 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.
| MSFT | CIEN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -8.70 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -5.58 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.94 | 1.76 | -0.83 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.35 | 21.37 | -21.72 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.73 | 100.03 | -100.76 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MSFT | CIEN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.47 | 8.23 | -8.70 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.42 | 1.05 | -0.63 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.91 | 0.82 | +0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.74 | 0.07 | +0.67 |
Drawdowns
MSFT vs. CIEN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSFT drawdown since its inception was -69.38%, smaller than the maximum CIEN drawdown of -99.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSFT and CIEN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSFT | CIEN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.38% | -99.51% | +30.13% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -33.91% | -25.57% | -8.34% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -33.91% | -45.51% | +11.60% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.15% | -49.54% | +12.39% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.15% | -49.54% | +12.39% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -23.56% | -55.41% | +31.85% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -21.78% | -87.11% | +65.33% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 16.13% | 5.45% | +10.68% |
Volatility
MSFT vs. CIEN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is 10.25%, while Ciena Corporation (CIEN) has a volatility of 25.17%. This indicates that MSFT 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.
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Volatility by Period
| MSFT | CIEN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.25% | 25.17% | -14.92% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 22.36% | 55.99% | -33.63% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.31% | 66.51% | -41.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 26.64% | 48.49% | -21.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 27.06% | 44.33% | -17.27% |
Dividends
MSFT vs. CIEN - Dividend Comparison
MSFT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, while CIEN has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| 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% |
MSFT Microsoft Corporation | 0.86% | 0.70% | 0.73% | 0.74% | 1.06% | 0.68% | 0.94% | 1.20% | 1.69% | 1.86% | 2.37% | 2.33% |
Financials
MSFT vs. CIEN - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Microsoft Corporation and Ciena Corporation. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
MSFT vs. CIEN - Profitability Comparison
MSFT - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Microsoft Corporation reported a gross profit of 56.06B and revenue of 82.89B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 67.6%.
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%.
MSFT - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Microsoft Corporation reported an operating income of 38.40B and revenue of 82.89B, resulting in an operating margin of 46.3%.
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%.
MSFT - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Microsoft Corporation reported a net income of 31.78B and revenue of 82.89B, resulting in a net margin of 38.3%.
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
MSFT and CIEN have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CIEN has higher volatility (25.17%) compared to MSFT (10.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSFT dropped -69.38% vs CIEN's -99.51%.
CIEN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.23 vs -0.47), 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.
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