Ciena Reports Fiscal Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Summary
•Fiscal second quarter 2026 revenue was $1.57 billion, up 40% year-over-year
•Fiscal second quarter 2026 adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS) was $1.64, an increase of 290% compared to fiscal second quarter 2025
•Providing revenue guidance for fiscal third quarter 2026 of $1.625 billion plus or minus $50 million
•Raising revenue guidance for fiscal year 2026 to $6.3 billion plus or minus $100 million, a 32% increase YoY at the midpoint
HANOVER, Md. - June 4, 2026 - Ciena® Corporation (NYSE: CIEN) today announced financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended May 2, 2026.
"Today's results reflect the strength of our portfolio, the power of our business model, and disciplined execution in a dynamic supply environment," said Gary Smith, president and CEO, Ciena. "Our long-term strategy to be the global leader in high-speed connectivity - both across the WAN and in and around the data center - is tightly aligned to the structural, multi-year opportunities created by AI-driven demand, positioning us to capitalize on market dynamics and drive sustained, profitable growth."
"We delivered strong fiscal second quarter results, marked by significant year-over-year revenue growth, adjusted gross margin expansion, and nearly fourfold growth in adjusted earnings per share," said Marc Graff, Ciena’s Chief Financial Officer. "Our demonstrated ability to drive operating leverage gives us confidence in continued earnings expansion and long-term value creation for customers and shareholders."
Performance Summary for Fiscal Second Quarter Ended May 2, 2026
Revenue:
•$1.57 billion in the fiscal second quarter 2026, compared to $1.13 billion in the fiscal second quarter 2025
Net Income per diluted share:
•$1.49 GAAP and $1.64 adjusted (non-GAAP) for the fiscal second quarter 2026, compared to $0.06 and $0.42 for fiscal second quarter 2025, respectively
The tables below (in millions, except percentage data) provide comparisons of certain quarterly results. Appendices A and B set forth reconciliations between the GAAP and adjusted (non-GAAP) measures contained in this release.
1
GAAP Results (unaudited)
Non-GAAP Results (unaudited)
Quarter Ended
Period
Quarter Ended
Period
May 2,
May 3,
Change
May 2,
May 3,
Change
2026
2025
Y-T-Y*
2026
2025
Y-T-Y*
Revenue
$
1,570.7
$
1,125.9
39.5
%
$
1,570.7
$
1,125.9
39.5
%
Gross margin
44.0
%
40.2
%
3.8
%
44.9
%
41.0
%
3.9
%
Operating expense
$
453.7
$
420.0
8.0
%
$
397.8
$
369.5
7.7
%
Operating margin
15.1
%
2.9
%
12.2
%
19.5
%
8.2
%
11.3
%
EBITDA
$
283.1
$
66.7
324.4
%
$
341.8
$
116.7
192.9
%
* Denotes % change, or in the case of margin, absolute change
Business Outlook
Ciena expects fiscal third quarter 2026 to include:
•Revenue of $1.625B billion plus or minus $50 million
•Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross margin in the range of 45% plus or minus 50 bps
•Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense in the range of $410 million plus or minus $10 million
•Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating margin between 19% and 20%
Ciena expects fiscal year 2026 to include:
•Revenue of $6.3 billion plus or minus $100 million
•Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross margin between 44.5% and 45%
•Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense in the range of $1.61 billion plus or minus $20 million
•Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating margin in the range of 19% plus or minus 50bps
Statements relating to business outlook are forward-looking in nature and actual results may differ materially. These statements should be read in the context of the "Key assumptions underlying our outlook" in our accompanying Earnings Presentation and each of the "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Reconciliation of Adjusted (Non- GAAP) Measurements" found in the Notes to Investors below.
Financial Highlights for the Fiscal Second Quarter 2026
•Two customers represented 10%-plus of revenue for a total of 34.0% of revenue.
•Average days' sales outstanding (DSOs) were 71.
•Inventory turns were 3.6.
•Repurchased approximately 0.2 million shares of common stock for an aggregate price of $83.1 million under the $1 billion share repurchase program.
2
Financial Performance by Segment
Revenue by Segment (unaudited)
Quarter Ended
May 2, 2026
May 3, 2025
Revenue
%**
Revenue
%**
Networking Platforms
Optical Networking
$
1,099.8
70.0
$
773.6
68.7
Routing and Switching
174.2
11.1
92.7
8.2
Total Networking Platforms
1,274.0
81.1
866.3
76.9
Platform Software and Services
93.9
6.0
85.4
7.5
Blue Planet Automation Software and Services
23.4
1.5
28.0
2.5
Global Services
Maintenance, Support, and Learning
89.3
5.7
79.4
7.1
Implementation
79.7
5.1
58.2
5.2
Advisory and Enablement
10.4
0.6
8.6
0.8
Total Global Services
179.4
11.4
146.2
13.1
Total
$
1,570.7
100.0
$
1,125.9
100.0
** Denotes % of total revenue
Supplemental Materials and Live Web Broadcast of Unaudited Fiscal Second Quarter 2026 Results
Today, Thursday, June 4, 2026, 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 2026 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.
3
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 the "Business Outlook" section of this press release and "Today's results reflect the strength of our portfolio, the power of our business model, and disciplined execution in a dynamic supply environment. Our long-term strategy to be the global leader in high-speed connectivity - both across the WAN and in and around the data center - is tightly aligned to the structural, multi-year opportunities created by AI-driven demand, positioning us to capitalize on market dynamics and drive sustained, profitable growth. We delivered strong fiscal second quarter results, marked by significant year-over-year revenue growth, adjusted gross margin expansion, and nearly fourfold growth in adjusted earnings per share. Our demonstrated ability to drive operating leverage gives us confidence in continued earnings expansion and long-term value creation for customers and shareholders."
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 business and that of our customers, including their spending; the development and use of artificial intelligence and its impact on overall networking technology spending; our ability to execute our business and growth strategies; supply chain constraints or disruptions including increased costs and lead times; the introduction of new technologies by us or our competitors; the timing and size of customer orders, their delivery dates and our ability to fulfill and 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, and public health emergencies, epidemics, or 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 12, 2025 and included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 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.
4
With respect to Ciena’s expectations under “Business Outlook” above, Ciena is not able to provide a quantitative reconciliation of the adjusted (non-GAAP) gross margin, adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense, and adjusted (non-GAAP) operating margin guidance measures to the corresponding gross margin, operating expense, and operating margin GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts. Ciena cannot provide meaningful estimates of the non-recurring charges and credits excluded from these non-GAAP measures due to the forward-looking nature of these estimates and their inherent variability and uncertainty. For the same reasons, Ciena is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.
About Ciena. Ciena is the global leader in high-speed connectivity. We build the world’s most advanced networks to support exponential growth in bandwidth demand. By harnessing the power of our networking systems, interconnects, automation software, and services, Ciena revolutionizes data transmission and network management. With unparalleled expertise and innovation, we empower our customers, partners, and communities to thrive in the AI era. For updates on Ciena, follow us on LinkedIn, X, the Ciena Insights blog, or visit www.ciena.com.
5
CIENA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
Quarter Ended
Six Months Ended
May 2,
May 3,
May 2,
May 3,
2026
2025
2026
2025
Revenue:
Products
$
1,311,488
$
898,581
$
2,491,358
$
1,753,366
Services
259,251
227,297
506,423
444,772
Total revenue
1,570,739
1,125,878
2,997,781
2,198,138
Cost of goods sold:
Products
736,107
549,984
1,402,681
1,040,788
Services
143,078
123,056
278,026
232,691
Total cost of goods sold
879,185
673,040
1,680,707
1,273,479
Gross profit
691,554
452,838
1,317,074
924,659
Operating expenses:
Research and development
237,905
214,868
459,363
407,531
Selling and marketing
150,039
139,683
298,906
276,187
General and administrative
61,221
56,952
120,464
110,854
Significant asset impairments and restructuring costs
805
1,948
2,303
3,492
Amortization of intangible assets
3,713
6,545
8,449
13,090
Acquisition and integration costs
—
—
306
—
Total operating expenses
453,683
419,996
889,791
811,154
Income from operations
237,871
32,842
427,283
113,505
Interest and other income, net
14,111
7,871
27,068
19,449
Interest expense
(20,922)
(21,697)
(42,176)
(44,615)
Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt
—
—
—
(729)
Income before income taxes
231,060
19,016
412,175
87,610
Provision for income taxes
12,840
10,047
43,672
34,069
Net income
$
218,220
$
8,969
$
368,503
$
53,541
Net Income per Common Share
Basic net income per common share
$
1.54
$
0.06
$
2.60
$
0.38
Diluted net income per potential common share
$
1.49
$
0.06
$
2.52
$
0.37
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding
141,949
142,503
141,834
142,704
Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding1
146,314
144,972
146,078
145,470
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) 4.4 million and 4.2 million for the second quarter and first six months ended fiscal 2026, respectively; and (ii) 2.5 million and 2.8 million for the second quarter and first six months ended fiscal 2025, respectively.
6
CIENA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
May 2,
November 1,
2026
2025
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,045,126
$
1,091,952
Short-term investments
157,708
216,148
Accounts receivable, net
1,052,569
975,856
Inventories, net
808,447
826,235
Prepaid expenses and other
504,314
455,316
Total current assets
3,568,164
3,565,507
Long-term investments
200,106
57,142
Equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, net
445,082
386,779
Operating lease right-of-use assets
38,459
38,613
Goodwill
520,401
521,204
Other intangible assets, net
202,190
224,210
Deferred tax asset, net
873,979
884,889
Other long-term assets
191,068
186,323
Total assets
$
6,039,449
$
5,864,667
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
606,599
$
542,841
Accrued liabilities and other short-term obligations
439,626
531,081
Deferred revenue
238,380
208,936
Operating lease liabilities
12,396
13,956
Current portion of long-term debt
11,580
11,580
Total current liabilities
1,308,581
1,308,394
Long-term deferred revenue
102,107
94,850
Other long-term obligations
185,001
175,426
Long-term operating lease liabilities
31,996
32,516
Long-term debt, net
1,519,539
1,524,158
Total liabilities
3,147,224
3,135,344
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; 141,597,550 and 141,016,300 shares issued and outstanding
1,416
1,410
Additional paid-in capital
5,732,496
5,953,057
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(40,081)
(55,035)
Accumulated deficit
(2,801,606)
(3,170,109)
Total stockholders’ equity
2,892,225
2,729,323
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
6,039,449
$
5,864,667
7
CIENA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Six Months Ended
May 2,
May 3,
2026
2025
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
Net income
$
368,503
$
53,541
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, and amortization of leasehold improvements
67,021
49,771
Share-based compensation expense
105,300
88,767
Amortization of intangible assets
22,020
17,555
Deferred taxes
(10,563)
(10,470)
Provision for inventory excess and obsolescence
42,481
23,431
Provision for warranty
16,685
10,714
Other
603
(6,355)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
(71,555)
(20,857)
Inventories
(24,690)
(76,904)
Prepaid expenses and other
(34,047)
84,144
Operating lease right-of-use assets
5,349
5,580
Accounts payable, accruals and other obligations
(27,945)
(16,755)
Deferred revenue
35,442
66,493
Short and long-term operating lease liabilities
(7,257)
(7,986)
Net cash provided by operating activities
487,347
260,669
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Payments for equipment, furniture, and fixtures
(114,933)
(55,622)
Purchases of investments
(226,731)
(159,102)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments
143,880
164,837
Settlement of foreign currency forward contracts, net
(31)
2,441
Net cash used in investing activities
(197,815)
(47,446)
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)
(5,790)
Payment of debt issuance costs
—
(12)
Payment of finance lease obligations
(2,371)
(2,110)
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of stock unit awards
(179,420)
(42,266)
Repurchases of common stock - repurchase program, net
(164,920)
(168,197)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
17,226
17,132
Net cash used in financing activities
(335,275)
(201,243)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(1,093)
2,937
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(46,836)
14,917
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
1,092,197
935,026
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$
1,045,361
$
949,943
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for interest, net
$
40,979
$
43,200
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net
$
48,830
$
55,466
Operating lease payments
$
8,413
$
8,812
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Purchase of equipment in accounts payable
$
12,966
$
12,545
Repurchase of common stock in accrued liabilities from repurchase program, net
$
1,320
$
2,023
Operating right-of-use assets subject to lease liability
$
6,003
$
16,351
8
APPENDIX A - Reconciliation of Adjusted (Non- GAAP) Measurements
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)
Quarter Ended
May 2,
May 3,
2026
2025
Gross Profit Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP gross profit
$
691,554
$
452,838
Share-based compensation-products
2,010
2,033
Share-based compensation-services
4,504
3,980
Amortization of intangible assets
6,787
2,232
Total adjustments related to gross profit
13,301
8,245
Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross profit
$
704,855
$
461,083
Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross profit percentage
44.9
%
41.0
%
Operating Expense Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP operating expense
$
453,683
$
419,996
Share-based compensation-research and development
18,586
17,021
Share-based compensation-sales and marketing
16,486
13,649
Share-based compensation-general and administrative
13,887
11,341
Significant asset impairments and restructuring costs
805
1,948
Amortization of intangible assets
3,713
6,545
Holdback arrangement
2,411
—
Total adjustments related to operating expense
55,888
50,504
Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense
$
397,795
$
369,492
Income from Operations Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP income from operations
$
237,871
$
32,842
Total adjustments related to gross profit
13,301
8,245
Total adjustments related to operating expense
55,888
50,504
Total adjustments related to income from operations
69,189
58,749
Adjusted (non-GAAP) income from operations
$
307,060
$
91,591
Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating margin percentage
19.5
%
8.2
%
Net Income Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP net income
$
218,220
$
8,969
Exclude GAAP provision for income taxes
12,840
10,047
Income before income taxes
231,060
19,016
Total adjustments related to income from operations
69,189
58,749
Adjusted income before income taxes
300,249
77,765
Non-GAAP tax provision on adjusted income before income taxes
60,050
17,108
Adjusted (non-GAAP) net income
$
240,199
$
60,657
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding
141,949
142,503
Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding 1
146,314
144,972
Net Income per Common Share
GAAP diluted net income per potential common share
$
1.49
$
0.06
Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted net income per potential common share
$
1.64
$
0.42
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) 4.4 million for the second quarter ended fiscal 2026; and (ii) 2.5 million for the second quarter ended fiscal 2025.
9
APPENDIX B - Calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
(in thousands) (unaudited)
Quarter Ended
May 2,
May 3,
2026
2025
Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)
Net income (GAAP)
$
218,220
$
8,969
Add: Interest expense
20,922
21,697
Less: Interest and other income, net
14,111
7,871
Add: Provision for income taxes
12,840
10,047
Add: Depreciation of equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, and amortization of leasehold improvements
34,712
25,092
Add: Amortization of intangible assets
10,500
8,777
EBITDA
$
283,083
$
66,711
Add: Share-based compensation expense
55,473
48,024
Add: Significant asset impairments and restructuring costs
805
1,948
Add: Holdback arrangement
2,411
—
Adjusted EBITDA
$
341,772
$
116,683
* * *
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 - non-recurring costs primarily reflecting expenses associated with actions Ciena has taken to restructure our business, including reductions in force, facility optimization, and the redesign of business processes.
•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.
•Holdback arrangement - reflects a one-time holdback of a portion of the merger consideration otherwise payable at closing to certain key employee shareholders of Nubis Communications, Inc. who became employees of Ciena, which is treated as contingent compensation for GAAP reporting purposes. These transaction-related amounts are not part of Ciena's standard compensation and benefits.
•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 20% for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 and 22% for the second quarter of fiscal 2025. This rate may be subject to change in the future, including as a result of changes in tax policy or tax strategy.