Ciena Reports Fiscal Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

HANOVER, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ciena^® Corporation (NYSE: CIEN), a networking systems, services and software company, today announced unaudited financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended May 3, 2025.

• Q2 Revenue: $1.13 billion

• Q2 Net Income per Share: $0.06 GAAP; $0.42 adjusted (non-GAAP)

• Share Repurchases: Repurchased approximately 1.2 million shares of common stock for an aggregate price of $84.3 million during the quarter

"Our strong fiscal second quarter results demonstrate our continued global leadership in high-speed connectivity with growing momentum across all of our business segments,” said Gary Smith, president and CEO, Ciena. “With accelerating demand driven by cloud and AI, our performance is validating the durability of a positive network infrastructure spending environment. As a result, we have strong visibility and are very confident in both our continued growth and our ability to drive additional operating leverage over time."

For the fiscal second quarter 2025, Ciena reported revenue of $1.13 billion as compared to $910.8 million for the fiscal second quarter 2024.

Ciena's GAAP net income for the fiscal second quarter 2025 was $9.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted common share, which compares to a GAAP net loss of $(16.8) million, or $(0.12) per diluted common share, for the fiscal second quarter 2024.

Ciena's adjusted (non-GAAP) net income for the fiscal second quarter 2025 was $60.7 million, or $0.42 per diluted common share, which compares to an adjusted (non-GAAP) net income of $39.4 million, or $0.27 per diluted common share, for the fiscal second quarter 2024.

Fiscal Second 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)
			Q2					Q2					Period Change
			FY 2025					FY 2024					Y-T-Y*
Revenue			$	1,125.9				$	910.8				23.6	%
Gross margin				40.2	%				42.7	%			(2.5	)%
Operating expense			$	420.0				$	392.6				7.0	%
Operating margin				2.9	%				(0.4	)%			3.3	%
			Non-GAAP  Results (unaudited)
			Q2					Q2					Period Change
			FY 2025					FY 2024					Y-T-Y*
Revenue			$	1,125.9				$	910.8				23.6	%
Adj. gross margin				41.0	%				43.5	%			(2.5	)%
Adj. operating expense			$	369.5				$	333.9				10.7	%
Adj. operating margin				8.2	%				6.8	%			1.4	%
Adj. EBITDA			$	116.7				$	85.8				36.0	%
* Denotes % change, or in the case of margin, absolute change

		Revenue by Segment (unaudited)
		Q2 FY 2025					Q2 FY 2024
		Revenue			%**		Revenue			%**
Networking Platforms
Optical Networking		$	773.6		68.7		$	560.2		61.5
Routing and Switching			92.7		8.2			116.1		12.7
Total Networking Platforms			866.3		76.9			676.3		74.2
Platform Software and Services			85.4		7.5			85.4		9.4
Blue Planet Automation Software and Services			28.0		2.5			14.4		1.6
Global Services
Maintenance Support and Training			79.4		7.1			77.4		8.5
Installation and Deployment			58.2		5.2			43.8		4.8
Consulting and Network Design			8.6		0.8			13.5		1.5
Total Global Services			146.2		13.1			134.7		14.8
Total		$	1,125.9		100.0		$	910.8		100.0
** Denotes % of total revenue

Additional Performance Metrics for Fiscal Second Quarter 2025
		Revenue by Geographic Region (unaudited)
		Q2 FY 2025				Q2 FY 2024
		Revenue		% **		Revenue		% **
Americas		$ 833.8		74.1		$ 662.9		72.8
Europe, Middle East and Africa		191.6		17.0		155.8		17.1
Asia Pacific		100.5		8.9		92.1		10.1
Total		$ 1,125.9		100.0		$ 910.8		100.0
** Denotes % of total revenue

• Two customer represented 10%-plus of revenue combining for a total of 23.9% of revenue
• Cash and investments totaled $1.35 billion
• Cash flow from operations totaled $156.9 million
• Average days' sales outstanding (DSOs) were 87
• Accounts receivable, net balance was $929.8 million
• Unbilled contract asset, net balance was $151.8 million
• Inventories totaled $874.3 million, including:
  • Raw materials: $647.0 million
  • Work in process: $35.3 million
  • Finished goods: $273.4 million
  • Deferred cost of sales: $36.6 million
  • Reserve for excess and obsolescence: $(118.0) million
• Product inventory turns were 2.5
• Headcount totaled 8,819

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

Today, Thursday, June 5, 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 second 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: "Our strong fiscal second quarter results demonstrate our continued global leadership in high-speed connectivity with growing momentum across all of our business segments. With accelerating demand driven by cloud and AI, our performance is validating the durability of a positive network infrastructure spending environment. As a result, we have strong visibility and are very confident in both our continued growth and our ability to drive additional operating leverage over time."

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 and pandemics; 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 second 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								Six Months Ended
	May 3,				April 27,				May 3,				April 27,
	2025				2024				2025				2024
Revenue:
Products	$	898,581			$	701,316			$	1,753,366			$	1,537,093
Services		227,297				209,510				444,772				411,442
Total revenue		1,125,878				910,826				2,198,138				1,948,535
Cost of goods sold:
Products		549,984				415,732				1,040,788				882,204
Services		123,056				106,433				232,691				210,708
Total cost of goods sold		673,040				522,165				1,273,479				1,092,912
Gross profit		452,838				388,661				924,659				855,623
Operating expenses:
Research and development		214,868				195,380				407,531				382,649
Selling and marketing		139,683				124,071				276,187				252,229
General and administrative		56,952				49,573				110,854				104,256
Significant asset impairments and restructuring costs		1,948				15,655				3,492				20,626
Amortization of intangible assets		6,545				7,947				13,090				15,199
Total operating expenses		419,996				392,626				811,154				774,959
Income (loss) from operations		32,842				(3,965	)			113,505				80,664
Interest and other income, net		7,871				11,797				19,449				22,447
Interest expense		(21,697	)			(23,861	)			(44,615	)			(47,637	)
Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt		—				—				(729	)			—
Income (loss) before income taxes		19,016				(16,029	)			87,610				55,474
Provision for income taxes		10,047				820				34,069				22,776
Net income (loss)	$	8,969			$	(16,849	)		$	53,541			$	32,698
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
Basic net income (loss) per common share	$	0.06			$	(0.12	)		$	0.38			$	0.23
Diluted net income (loss) per potential common share	$	0.06			$	(0.12	)		$	0.37			$	0.22
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding		142,503				144,914				142,704				145,104
Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding1		144,972				144,914				145,470				146,059

1 Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding used in calculating GAAP diluted net income (loss) per potential common share includes the following number of shares underlying certain stock option and stock unit awards: (i) 2.5 million and 2.8 million for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2025, respectively; and (ii) 1.0 million for the first six months of fiscal 2024.

CIENA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
	May 3,				November 2,
	2025				2024
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	949,771			$	934,863
Short-term investments		304,177				316,343
Accounts receivable, net		929,799				908,597
Inventories, net		874,326				820,430
Prepaid expenses and other		506,252				564,183
Total current assets		3,564,325				3,544,416
Long-term investments		92,121				80,920
Equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, net		349,349				337,722
Operating lease right-of-use assets		38,655				27,417
Goodwill		444,805				444,707
Other intangible assets, net		147,459				165,020
Deferred tax asset, net		863,571				886,441
Other long-term assets		159,081				154,694
Total assets	$	5,659,366			$	5,641,337
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	419,077			$	423,401
Accrued liabilities and other short-term obligations		381,398				393,905
Deferred revenue		221,835				156,379
Operating lease liabilities		13,170				14,455
Current portion of long-term debt		11,580				11,700
Total current liabilities		1,047,060				999,840
Long-term deferred revenue		83,239				81,240
Other long-term obligations		188,809				185,938
Long-term operating lease liabilities		35,103				25,107
Long-term debt, net		1,528,776				1,533,074
Total liabilities		2,882,987				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; 141,686,082 and 142,656,116 shares issued and outstanding		1,417				1,427
Additional paid-in capital		6,054,464				6,154,869
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(39,596	)			(46,711	)
Accumulated deficit		(3,239,906	)			(3,293,447	)
Total stockholders’ equity		2,776,379				2,816,138
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	5,659,366			$	5,641,337

CIENA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
	Six Months Ended
	May 3,				April 27,
	2025				2024
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
Net income	$	53,541			$	32,698
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on extinguishment of debt		159				—
Depreciation of equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, and amortization of leasehold improvements		49,771				46,016
Share-based compensation expense		88,767				78,075
Amortization of intangible assets		17,555				20,726
Deferred taxes		(10,470	)			(8,946	)
Provision for inventory excess and obsolescence		23,431				23,152
Provision for warranty		10,714				8,629
Other		(6,514	)			11,509
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(20,857	)			155,107
Inventories		(76,904	)			5,346
Prepaid expenses and other		84,144				(37,441	)
Operating lease right-of-use assets		5,580				6,111
Accounts payable, accruals and other obligations		(16,755	)			(56,064	)
Deferred revenue		66,493				48,641
Short and long-term operating lease liabilities		(7,986	)			(9,010	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		260,669				324,549
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Payments for equipment, furniture, fixtures and intellectual property		(55,622	)			(33,500	)
Purchases of investments		(159,102	)			(171,131	)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments		164,837				83,013
Settlement of foreign currency forward contracts, net		2,441				(828	)
Purchase of equity investments		—				(16,256	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(47,446	)			(138,702	)
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		(5,790	)			(2,925	)
Payment of debt issuance costs		(12	)			(2,554	)
Payment of finance lease obligations		(2,110	)			(1,989	)
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of stock unit awards		(42,266	)			(22,428	)
Repurchases of common stock - repurchase program, net		(168,197	)			(94,817	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		17,132				16,876
Net cash used in financing activities		(201,243	)			(107,837	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		2,937				2,659
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		14,917				80,669
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	$	949,943			$	1,091,455
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for interest, net	$	43,200			$	45,782
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net	$	55,466			$	29,193
Operating lease payments	$	8,812			$	9,964
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Purchase of equipment in accounts payable	$	12,545			$	6,365
Repurchase of common stock in accrued liabilities from repurchase program, net	$	2,023			$	3,859
Operating right-of-use assets subject to lease liability	$	16,351			$	3,639

APPENDIX A - Reconciliation of Adjusted (Non- GAAP) Measurements
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)
		Quarter Ended
		May 3,				April 27,
		2025				2024
Gross Profit Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP gross profit		$	452,838			$	388,661
Share-based compensation-products			2,033				1,760
Share-based compensation-services			3,980				3,344
Amortization of intangible assets			2,232				2,763
Total adjustments related to gross profit			8,245				7,867
Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross profit		$	461,083			$	396,528
Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross profit percentage			41.0	%			43.5	%
Operating Expense Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP operating expense		$	419,996			$	392,626
Share-based compensation-research and development			17,021				14,066
Share-based compensation-sales and marketing			13,649				11,166
Share-based compensation-general and administrative			11,341				9,875
Significant asset impairments and restructuring costs			1,948				15,655
Amortization of intangible assets			6,545				7,947
Total adjustments related to operating expense			50,504				58,709
Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense		$	369,492			$	333,917
Income (Loss) from Operations Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP income (loss) from operations		$	32,842			$	(3,965	)
Total adjustments related to gross profit			8,245				7,867
Total adjustments related to operating expense			50,504				58,709
Total adjustments related to income (loss) from operations			58,749				66,576
Adjusted (non-GAAP) income from operations		$	91,591			$	62,611
Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating margin percentage			8.2	%			6.8	%
Net Income (Loss) Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP net income (loss)		$	8,969			$	(16,849	)
Exclude GAAP provision for income taxes			10,047				820
Income (loss) before income taxes			19,016				(16,029	)
Total adjustments related to income (loss) from operations			58,749				66,576
Adjusted income before income taxes			77,765				50,547
Non-GAAP tax provision on adjusted income before income taxes			17,108				11,120
Adjusted (non-GAAP) net income		$	60,657			$	39,427
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding			142,503				144,914
Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding 1			144,972				146,268
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
GAAP diluted net income (loss) per potential common share		$	0.06			$	(0.12	)
Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted net income per potential common share		$	0.42			$	0.27

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) 2.5 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2025; and (ii) 1.4 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2024.

APPENDIX B - Calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
(in thousands) (unaudited)
		Quarter Ended
		May 3,			April 27,
		2025			2024
Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)
Net income (loss) (GAAP)		$	8,969		$	(16,849	)
Add: Interest expense			21,697			23,861
Less: Interest and other income, net			7,871			11,797
Add: Provision for income taxes			10,047			820
Add: Depreciation of equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, and amortization of leasehold improvements			25,092			23,208
Add: Amortization of intangible assets			8,777			10,710
EBITDA		$	66,711		$	29,953
Add: Share-based compensation expense			48,024			40,211
Add: Significant asset impairments and restructuring costs			1,948			15,655
Adjusted EBITDA		$	116,683		$	85,819

* * *

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.

• 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 second quarter of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024. This rate may be subject to change in the future, including as a result of changes in tax policy or tax strategy.

 

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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

Source: Ciena Corporation