Ciena Reports Fiscal First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Business Wire
11 Mar

HANOVER, Md., March 11, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ciena® Corporation (NYSE: CIEN), a networking systems, services and software company, today announced unaudited financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended February 1, 2025.

  • Q1 Revenue: $1.07 billion
  • Q1 Net Income per Share: $0.31 GAAP; $0.64 adjusted (non-GAAP)
  • Share Repurchases: Repurchased approximately 1.0 million shares of common stock for an aggregate price of $79.2 million during the quarter

"We delivered strong fiscal first quarter results that reflect balanced growth and strong momentum across our customer segments and reinforce the continuation of positive demand dynamics," said Gary Smith, president and CEO, Ciena. "As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, we are incredibly well positioned to benefit from the global investment in networks to scale for cloud and AI. As a result, we are very confident in our ability to deliver in fiscal year 2025 and beyond."

For the fiscal first quarter 2025, Ciena reported revenue of $1.07 billion as compared to $1.04 billion for the fiscal first quarter 2024.

Ciena's GAAP net income for the fiscal first quarter 2025 was $44.6 million, or $0.31 per diluted common share, which compares to a GAAP net income of $49.5 million, or $0.34 per diluted common share, for the fiscal first quarter 2024.

Ciena's adjusted (non-GAAP) net income for the fiscal first quarter 2025 was $94.0 million, or $0.64 per diluted common share, which compares to an adjusted (non-GAAP) net income of $96.8 million, or $0.66 per diluted common share, for the fiscal first quarter 2024.

Fiscal First Quarter 2025 Performance Summary

The tables below (in millions, except percentage data) provide comparisons of certain quarterly results to the prior year. Appendices A and B set forth reconciliations between the GAAP and adjusted (non-GAAP) measures contained in this release.

GAAP Results (unaudited)

Q1

Q1

Period Change

FY 2025

FY 2024

Y-T-Y*

Revenue

$

1,072.3

$

1,037.7

3.3

%

Gross margin

44.0

%

45.0

%

(1.0

)%

Operating expense

$

391.2

$

382.3

2.3

%

Operating margin

7.5

%

8.2

%

(0.7

)%

Non-GAAP Results (unaudited)

Q1

Q1

Period Change

FY 2025

FY 2024

Y-T-Y*

Revenue

$

1,072.3

$

1,037.7

3.3

%

Adj. gross margin

44.7

%

45.7

%

(1.0

)%

Adj. operating expense

$

347.4

$

336.8

3.1

%

Adj. operating margin

12.3

%

13.2

%

(0.9

)%

Adj. EBITDA

$

156.5

$

160.0

(2.2

)%

* Denotes % change, or in the case of margin, absolute change

Revenue by Segment (unaudited)

Q1 FY 2025

Q1 FY 2024

Revenue

%**

Revenue

%**

Networking Platforms

Optical Networking

$

728.0

67.9

$

695.8

67.1

Routing and Switching

93.2

8.7

111.4

10.7

Total Networking Platforms

821.2

76.6

807.2

77.8

Platform Software and Services

95.1

8.9

89.7

8.6

Blue Planet Automation Software and Services

26.0

2.4

14.0

1.4

Global Services

Maintenance Support and Training

74.6

7.0

74.1

7.1

Installation and Deployment

47.7

4.4

42.7

4.1

Consulting and Network Design

7.7

0.7

10.0

1.0

Total Global Services

130.0

12.1

126.8

12.2

Total

$

1,072.3

100.0

$

1,037.7

100.0

** Denotes % of total revenue

Additional Performance Metrics for Fiscal First Quarter 2025

Revenue by Geographic Region (unaudited)

Q1 FY 2025

Q1 FY 2024

Revenue

% **

Revenue

% **

Americas

$

795.7

74.2

$

718.2

69.2

Europe, Middle East and Africa

157.9

14.7

207.4

20.0

Asia Pacific

118.7

11.1

112.1

10.8

Total

$

1,072.3

100.0

$

1,037.7

100.0

** Denotes % of total revenue

  • Two customers represented 10%-plus of revenue combining for a total of 26.1% of revenue
  • Cash and investments totaled $1.32 billion
  • Cash flow from operations totaled $103.7 million
  • Average days' sales outstanding (DSOs) were 90
  • Accounts receivable, net balance was $938.7 million
  • Unbilled contract asset, net balance was $138.7 million
  • Inventories totaled $845.1 million, including:
    • Raw materials: $601.9 million
    • Work in process: $32.7 million
    • Finished goods: $289.2 million
    • Deferred cost of sales: $30.1 million
    • Reserve for excess and obsolescence: $(108.8) million
  • Product inventory turns were 2.3
  • Headcount totaled 8,795

Supplemental Materials and Live Web Broadcast of Unaudited Fiscal First Quarter 2025 Results

Today, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in conjunction with this announcement, Ciena has posted to the Quarterly Results page of the Investor Relations section of its website certain related supporting materials for its unaudited fiscal first quarter 2025 results.

Ciena's management will also host a discussion today with investors and financial analysts that will include the Company's outlook. The live audio web broadcast beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern will be accessible via www.ciena.com. An archived replay of the live broadcast will be available shortly following its conclusion on the Investor Relations page of Ciena's website.

Notes to Investors

Forward-Looking Statements. You are encouraged to review the Investors section of our website, where we routinely post press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings, recent news, financial results, supplemental financial information, and other announcements. From time to time we exclusively post material information to this website along with other disclosure channels that we use. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, assumptions and other information available to the Company as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Ciena's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will," and "would" or similar words. Forward-looking statements in this release include: "We delivered strong fiscal first quarter results that reflect balanced growth and strong momentum across our customer segments and reinforce the continuation of positive demand dynamics. As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, we are incredibly well positioned to benefit from the global investment in networks to scale for cloud and AI. As a result, we are very confident in our ability to deliver in fiscal year 2025 and beyond."

Ciena's actual results, performance or events may differ materially from these forward-looking statements made or implied due to a number of risks and uncertainties relating to Ciena's business, including: the effect of broader economic and market conditions on our customers, their spending and their businesses and markets; our ability to execute our business and growth strategies; the impact of macroeconomic conditions and global supply chain constraints or disruptions including increased supply costs and lead times; the impact of the introduction of new technologies by us or our competitors; seasonality and the timing and size of customer orders, their delivery dates and our ability to recognize revenue relating to such sales; the level of competitive pressure we encounter; the product, customer and geographic mix of sales within the period; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; factors beyond our control such as natural disasters, climate change, acts of war or terrorism, geopolitical tensions or events, including but not limited to the ongoing conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, and Israel and Hamas, and public health emergencies or epidemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in tax or trade regulations, including the imposition of tariffs, duties or efforts to withdraw from or materially modify international trade agreements; cyberattacks, data breaches or other security incidents involving our enterprise network environment or our products; regulatory changes, litigation involving our intellectual property or government investigations; and the other risk factors disclosed in Ciena’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) including its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 20, 2024 and included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 to be filed with the SEC. Ciena assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information included in this press release.

Non-GAAP Presentation of Quarterly and Annual Results. This release includes non-GAAP measures of Ciena's gross profit, operating expense, income from operations, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), Adjusted EBITDA, and measures of net income and net income per share. In evaluating the operating performance of Ciena's business, management excludes certain charges and credits that are required by GAAP. These items share one or more of the following characteristics: they are unusual and Ciena does not expect them to recur in the ordinary course of its business; they do not involve the expenditure of cash; they are unrelated to the ongoing operation of the business in the ordinary course; or their magnitude and timing is largely outside of Ciena's control. Management believes that the non-GAAP measures below provide management and investors useful information and meaningful insight to the operating performance of the business. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to Ciena's GAAP results and these measures are not intended to be a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. Ciena's non-GAAP measures and the related adjustments may differ from non-GAAP measures used by other companies and should only be used to evaluate Ciena's results of operations in conjunction with our corresponding GAAP results. To the extent not previously disclosed in a prior Ciena financial results press release, Appendices A and B to this press release set forth a complete GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures contained in this release.

About Ciena. Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) is a global leader in networking systems, services, and software. We build the most adaptive networks in the industry, enabling customers to anticipate and meet ever-increasing digital demands. For three-plus decades, Ciena has brought our humanity to our relentless pursuit of innovation. Prioritizing collaborative relationships with our customers, partners, and communities, we create flexible, open, and sustainable networks that better serve all users—today and into the future. For updates on Ciena, follow us on LinkedIn, X, the Ciena Insights blog, or visit www.ciena.com.

CIENA CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

Quarter Ended

February 1,

January 27,

2025

2024

Revenue:

Products

$

854,785

$

835,777

Services

217,475

201,932

Total revenue

1,072,260

1,037,709

Cost of goods sold:

Products

490,804

466,472

Services

109,635

104,275

Total cost of goods sold

600,439

570,747

Gross profit

471,821

466,962

Operating expenses:

Research and development

192,663

187,269

Selling and marketing

136,504

128,158

General and administrative

53,902

54,683

Significant asset impairments and restructuring costs

1,544

4,971

Amortization of intangible assets

6,545

7,252

Total operating expenses

391,158

382,333

Income from operations

80,663

84,629

Interest and other income, net

11,578

10,650

Interest expense

(22,918

)

(23,776

)

Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt

(729

)

Income before income taxes

68,594

71,503

Provision for income taxes

24,022

21,956

Net income

$

44,572

$

49,547

Net Income per Common Share

Basic net income per common share

$

0.31

$

0.34

Diluted net income per potential common share

$

0.31

$

0.34

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding

142,880

145,291

Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding1

145,944

145,848

1 Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding used in calculating GAAP diluted net income per potential common share includes the following number of shares underlying certain stock option and stock unit awards: (i) 3.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, and (ii) 0.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024.

CIENA CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

February 1,
2025

November 2,
2024

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

874,749

$

934,863

Short-term investments

337,320

316,343

Accounts receivable, net

938,703

908,597

Inventories, net

845,132

820,430

Prepaid expenses and other

495,807

564,183

Total current assets

3,491,711

3,544,416

Long-term investments

105,035

80,920

Equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, net

320,382

337,722

Operating lease right-of-use assets

25,113

27,417

Goodwill

444,306

444,707

Other intangible assets, net

156,205

165,020

Deferred tax asset, net

868,432

886,441

Other long-term assets

161,718

154,694

Total assets

$

5,572,902

$

5,641,337

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

395,770

$

423,401

Accrued liabilities and other short-term obligations

362,021

393,905

Deferred revenue

174,151

156,379

Operating lease liabilities

12,995

14,455

Current portion of long-term debt

11,580

11,700

Total current liabilities

956,517

999,840

Long-term deferred revenue

83,126

81,240

Other long-term obligations

186,027

185,938

Long-term operating lease liabilities

22,769

25,107

Long-term debt, net

1,531,084

1,533,074

Total liabilities

2,779,523

2,825,199

Stockholders’ equity:

Preferred stock – par value $0.01; 20,000,000 shares authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding

Common stock – par value $0.01; 290,000,000 shares authorized; 142,528,510 and 142,656,116 shares issued and outstanding

1,425

1,427

Additional paid-in capital

6,108,118

6,154,869

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(67,289

)

(46,711

)

Accumulated deficit

(3,248,875

)

(3,293,447

)

Total stockholders’ equity

2,793,379

2,816,138

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

5,572,902

$

5,641,337

CIENA CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands) (unaudited)

 

Quarter Ended

February 1,

January 27,

2025

2024

Cash flows provided by operating activities:

Net income

$

44,572

$

49,547

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation of equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, and amortization of leasehold improvements

24,679

22,808

Share-based compensation expense

40,806

37,827

Amortization of intangible assets

8,778

10,016

Deferred taxes

(17,085

)

(4,368

)

Provision for inventory excess and obsolescence

10,918

10,350

Provision for warranty

5,697

4,841

Other

(6,655

)

5,051

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(33,454

)

135,160

Inventories

(35,844

)

56,157

Prepaid expenses and other

92,036

17,116

Operating lease right-of-use assets

2,902

3,084

Accounts payable, accruals and other obligations

(49,577

)

(90,915

)

Deferred revenue

20,311

14,022

Short and long-term operating lease liabilities

(4,361

)

(4,620

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

103,723

266,076

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:

Payments for equipment, furniture, fixtures and intellectual property

(26,884

)

(16,599

)

Purchases of investments

(97,024

)

(21,213

)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments

55,061

53,674

Settlement of foreign currency forward contracts, net

1,757

2,271

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

(67,090

)

18,133

Cash flows used in financing activities:

Proceeds for modification of debt, net

19,175

Cash paid for extinguishment of debt

(19,175

)

Payment of long term debt

(2,895

)

Payment of debt issuance costs

(10

)

(2,402

)

Payment of finance lease obligations

(1,020

)

(981

)

Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of stock unit awards

(25,489

)

(10,076

)

Repurchases of common stock - repurchase program, net

(81,176

)

(38,195

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

17,133

16,934

Net cash used in financing activities

(93,457

)

(34,720

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(3,289

)

4,646

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(60,113

)

254,135

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

935,026

1,010,786

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$

874,913

$

1,264,921

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

Cash paid during the period for interest, net

$

25,559

$

18,582

Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net

$

10,426

$

8,260

Operating lease payments

$

4,762

$

5,080

Non-cash investing and financing activities

Purchase of equipment in accounts payable

$

4,735

$

4,225

Repurchase of common stock in accrued liabilities from repurchase program, net

$

4,198

$

3,110

Operating right-of-use assets subject to lease liability

$

1,056

$

3,498

APPENDIX A - Reconciliation of Adjusted (Non- GAAP) Measurements

(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)

Quarter Ended

February 1,

January 27,

2025

2024

Gross Profit Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)

GAAP gross profit

$

471,821

$

466,962

Share-based compensation-products

1,750

1,318

Share-based compensation-services

3,405

3,020

Amortization of intangible assets

2,233

2,764

Total adjustments related to gross profit

7,388

7,102

Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross profit

$

479,209

$

474,064

Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross profit percentage

44.7

%

45.7

%

Operating Expense Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)

GAAP operating expense

$

391,158

$

382,333

Share-based compensation-research and development

14,237

12,880

Share-based compensation-sales and marketing

11,597

10,305

Share-based compensation-general and administrative

9,827

10,079

Significant asset impairments and restructuring costs

1,544

4,971

Amortization of intangible assets

6,545

7,252

Total adjustments related to operating expense

43,750

45,487

Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense

$

347,408

$

336,846

Income from Operations Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)

GAAP income from operations

$

80,663

$

84,629

Total adjustments related to gross profit

7,388

7,102

Total adjustments related to operating expense

43,750

45,487

Total adjustments related to income from operations

51,138

52,589

Adjusted (non-GAAP) income from operations

$

131,801

$

137,218

Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating margin percentage

12.3

%

13.2

%

Net Income Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)

GAAP net income

$

44,572

$

49,547

Exclude GAAP provision for income taxes

24,022

21,956

Income before income taxes

68,594

71,503

Total adjustments related to income from operations

51,138

52,589

Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt

729

Adjusted income before income taxes

120,461

124,092

Non-GAAP tax provision on adjusted income before income taxes

26,501

27,300

Adjusted (non-GAAP) net income

$

93,960

$

96,792

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding

142,880

145,291

Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding 1

145,944

145,848

Net Income per Common Share

GAAP diluted net income per potential common share

$

0.31

$

0.34

Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted net income per potential common share

$

0.64

$

0.66

1 Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding used in calculating Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted net income per potential common share includes the following number of shares underlying certain stock option and stock unit awards: (i) 3.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025; and (ii) 0.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024.

APPENDIX B - Calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

(in thousands) (unaudited)

Quarter Ended

February 1,

January 27,

2025

2024

Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)

Net income (GAAP)

$

44,572

$

49,547

Add: Interest expense

22,918

23,776

Less: Interest and other income, net

11,578

10,650

Add: Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt

729

Add: Provision for income taxes

24,022

21,956

Add: Depreciation of equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, and amortization of leasehold improvements

24,679

22,808

Add: Amortization of intangible assets

8,778

10,016

EBITDA

$

114,120

$

117,453

Add: Share-based compensation expense

40,816

37,602

Add: Significant asset impairments and restructuring costs

1,544

4,971

Adjusted EBITDA

$

156,480

$

160,026

* * *

The adjusted (non-GAAP) measures above and their reconciliation to Ciena's GAAP results for the periods presented reflect adjustments relating to the following items:

  • Share-based compensation - a non-cash expense incurred in accordance with share-based compensation accounting guidance.
  • Significant asset impairments and restructuring costs - costs incurred as a result of restructuring activities taken to align resources with perceived market opportunities, the redesign of business processes and restructuring certain real estate facilities.
  • Amortization of intangible assets - a non-cash expense arising from the acquisition of intangible assets, principally developed technologies and customer-related intangibles, that Ciena is required to amortize over an expected useful life.
  • Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt - reflects extinguishment and debt modification expenses related to refinancing our term loan during the first quarter of fiscal 2025.
  • Non-GAAP tax provision - consists of current and deferred income tax expense commensurate with the level of adjusted income before income taxes and utilizes a current, blended U.S. and foreign statutory annual tax rate of 22.0% for both the fiscal first quarter of fiscal 2025 and the fiscal first quarter of 2024. This rate may be subject to change in the future, including as a result of changes in tax policy or tax strategy.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250310080208/en/

Contacts

Press Contact: Jamie Moody
Ciena Corporation
+1 (410) 694-5761
pr@ciena.com

Investor Contact: Gregg Lampf
Ciena Corporation
+1 (410) 694-5700
ir@ciena.com







Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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