Ciena vs Zoom
This page compares Ciena and Zoom. It examines business models, financial performance, and market context to help you understand how the two companies operate and compete. The content is presented in a neutral, accessible way to support informed consideration. Educational content, not financial advice.
This page compares Ciena and Zoom. It examines business models, financial performance, and market context to help you understand how the two companies operate and compete. The content is presented in ...
Why It's Moving
Ciena Powers Up as AI Optical Demand Fuels Record Backlog and Soaring 2026 Outlook
- Revenue hit $4.77 billion, up 19% year-over-year, with adjusted EPS of $2.64 crushing estimates, highlighting robust AI-driven sales mix.
- FY2026 guidance raised to $5.7-$6.1 billion (24% growth midpoint), backed by the $5B backlog that covers a large chunk of expected sales.
- Analysts applaud Zacks Rank #1 status and margin expansion to 17%, positioning Ciena as a key beneficiary of the 1.6T optical upgrade cycle.
Zoom Stock Surges on Analyst Upgrade and AI Momentum as Shares Hit Multi-Week Highs.
- Citigroup upgraded ZM from Neutral to Buy on January 12, citing strong AI companion tool adoption driving enterprise growth.
- Stock jumped 5.95% for the week ending January 23, reflecting broader market optimism for Zoom's post-pandemic resilience.
- Recent price action shows ZM up 4.27% on January 22 alone, building on earlier profitability gains from AI features.
Ciena Powers Up as AI Optical Demand Fuels Record Backlog and Soaring 2026 Outlook
- Revenue hit $4.77 billion, up 19% year-over-year, with adjusted EPS of $2.64 crushing estimates, highlighting robust AI-driven sales mix.
- FY2026 guidance raised to $5.7-$6.1 billion (24% growth midpoint), backed by the $5B backlog that covers a large chunk of expected sales.
- Analysts applaud Zacks Rank #1 status and margin expansion to 17%, positioning Ciena as a key beneficiary of the 1.6T optical upgrade cycle.
Zoom Stock Surges on Analyst Upgrade and AI Momentum as Shares Hit Multi-Week Highs.
- Citigroup upgraded ZM from Neutral to Buy on January 12, citing strong AI companion tool adoption driving enterprise growth.
- Stock jumped 5.95% for the week ending January 23, reflecting broader market optimism for Zoom's post-pandemic resilience.
- Recent price action shows ZM up 4.27% on January 22 alone, building on earlier profitability gains from AI features.
Investment Analysis
Ciena
CIEN
Pros
- Ciena is a global leader in networking systems, software, and services supporting high-speed, reliable communications networks, with a wide international footprint.
- The company has launched a terabit network and is projecting strong growth with expectations of $6.5 billion revenue and $590.5 million earnings by 2028, reflecting about 12.5% annual revenue growth.
- Ciena's product portfolio is diverse, including coherent optical transport, open optical networking, IP routing, automation software, and global services, positioning it well in evolving network technology markets.
Considerations
- Despite bullish sentiment, analyst price targets for CIEN are mixed, with an average forecast suggesting a potential price decline of over 28% in the next year.
- The stock exhibits high volatility with a 9.44% price volatility over the last 30 days and a PE ratio above 200, indicating market uncertainty and expensive valuation relative to earnings.
- Ciena's growth is dependent on continued investment in network infrastructure, which may face competitive and macroeconomic challenges, creating execution risk.
Zoom
ZM
Pros
- Zoom remains a dominant player in video communications with strong brand recognition and widespread enterprise adoption globally.
- The company continues to expand its product offerings beyond video meetings into unified communications and collaboration tools, driving potential revenue diversification.
- Zoom has shown resilience in user engagement post-pandemic and is innovating in AI-powered meeting enhancements, which could support sustained growth.
Considerations
- Zoom faces intense competition from large technology firms offering integrated collaboration suites, pressuring market share and pricing power.
- Revenue growth has slowed compared to peak pandemic levels, reflecting challenges in retaining high user engagement and managing churn.
- The company’s reliance on the hybrid work trend introduces macroeconomic sensitivity and execution risk if corporate spending on collaboration technologies tightens.
Related Market Insights
Network Effect Titans: The Self-Reinforcing Growth Machine
Discover Network Effect Titans: companies that grow stronger with each user, building powerful moats & market dominance. Invest in these self-reinforcing growth machines.
Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst
July 25, 2025
Related Market Insights
Network Effect Titans: The Self-Reinforcing Growth Machine
Discover Network Effect Titans: companies that grow stronger with each user, building powerful moats & market dominance. Invest in these self-reinforcing growth machines.
Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst
July 25, 2025
Ciena (CIEN) Next Earnings Date
Ciena Corporation's next earnings date is estimated for March 10, 2026, following the pattern from prior fiscal year reports. This release will cover the first quarter of fiscal 2026 (Q1 FY2026). Note that the company has not yet officially confirmed the precise date, with estimates ranging from early to mid-March based on historical schedules.
Zoom (ZM) Next Earnings Date
Zoom Video Communications (ZM) next earnings release is expected on February 23, 2026. This report will cover the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026 (Q4 2026), following the prior quarter's release on November 24, 2025. The date aligns with the company's historical late-February pattern for fiscal year-end results, though it remains an estimate pending official confirmation.
Ciena (CIEN) Next Earnings Date
Ciena Corporation's next earnings date is estimated for March 10, 2026, following the pattern from prior fiscal year reports. This release will cover the first quarter of fiscal 2026 (Q1 FY2026). Note that the company has not yet officially confirmed the precise date, with estimates ranging from early to mid-March based on historical schedules.
Zoom (ZM) Next Earnings Date
Zoom Video Communications (ZM) next earnings release is expected on February 23, 2026. This report will cover the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026 (Q4 2026), following the prior quarter's release on November 24, 2025. The date aligns with the company's historical late-February pattern for fiscal year-end results, though it remains an estimate pending official confirmation.
Which Baskets Do They Appear In?
Network Effect Titans
These powerful companies grow stronger with every new user, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of value. Carefully selected by our investment experts, these businesses have built formidable competitive advantages through their expanding networks in our increasingly connected world.
Published: June 17, 2025
Explore BasketWhich Baskets Do They Appear In?
Network Effect Titans
These powerful companies grow stronger with every new user, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of value. Carefully selected by our investment experts, these businesses have built formidable competitive advantages through their expanding networks in our increasingly connected world.
Published: June 17, 2025
Explore BasketBuy CIEN or ZM in Nemo
Zero Commission
Trade stocks, ETFs, and more with zero commission. Keep more of your returns.
Trusted & Regulated
Part of Exinity Group 2015, serving over a million customers globally.
6% Interest on Cash
Earn 6% AER on uninvested cash with daily interest payments.
Discover More Comparisons
Ciena vs The Trade Desk
Ciena vs The Trade Desk
Ciena vs HubSpot
Ciena vs HubSpot: company comparison
Ciena vs PTC
Ciena vs PTC: A compare of two companies