Ciena Reports Fiscal First Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Delivers 8.4% revenue growth year-over-year

HANOVER, Md.--()--Ciena® Corporation (NYSE: CIEN), a network strategy and technology company, today announced unaudited financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended January 31, 2017.

For the fiscal first quarter 2017, Ciena reported revenue of $621.5 million as compared to $573.1 million for the fiscal first quarter 2016.

On the basis of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Ciena's net income for the fiscal first quarter 2017 was $3.9 million, or $0.03 per diluted common share, which compares to a GAAP net loss of $11.5 million, or $(0.08) per diluted common share, for the fiscal first quarter 2016.

Ciena's adjusted (non-GAAP) net income for the fiscal first quarter 2017 was $38.4 million, or $0.26 per diluted common share, which compares to an adjusted (non-GAAP) net income of $25.2 million, or $0.18 per diluted common share, for the fiscal first quarter 2016.

"Our overall first quarter performance demonstrates our ability to grow and capture market share across geographies, market segments and product lines, reflecting the investments we've made to diversify our business in these areas," said Gary B. Smith, president and CEO, Ciena. "Our strategic investments and differentiated portfolio are providing us strong momentum in the market, and as a result we believe that we are well-positioned to deliver on our fiscal 2017 financial targets."

Fiscal First Quarter 2017 Performance Summary

The tables below (in millions, except percentage data) provide comparisons of certain quarterly results to prior periods, including sequential quarter and year-over-year changes. A reconciliation between the GAAP and adjusted (non-GAAP) measures contained in this release is included in Appendix A.

     
GAAP Results
Q1   Q4   Q1   Period Change
FY 2017 FY 2016 FY 2016 Q-T-Q*   Y-T-Y*
Revenue $ 621.5 $ 716.2 $ 573.1 (13.2 )% 8.4 %
Gross margin 44.1 % 44.5 % 43.9 % (0.4 )% 0.2 %
Operating expense $ 254.7 $ 258.9 $ 240.2 (1.6 )% 6.0 %
Operating margin 3.1 % 8.3 % 2.0 % (5.2 )% 1.1 %
 
Non-GAAP Results
Q1   Q4   Q1   Period Change
FY 2017 FY 2016 FY 2016 Q-T-Q*   Y-T-Y*
Revenue $ 621.5 $ 716.2 $ 573.1 (13.2 )% 8.4 %
Adj. gross margin 44.9 % 45.2 % 44.7 % (0.3 )% 0.2 %
Adj. operating expense $ 226.2 $ 232.4 $ 208.4 (2.7 )% 8.5 %
Adj. operating margin 8.5 % 12.8 % 8.3 % (4.3 )% 0.2 %
 

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

 
Revenue by Segment
Q1 FY 2017   Q4 FY 2016   Q1 FY 2016
Revenue   %** Revenue   %** Revenue   %**
Networking Platforms
Converged Packet Optical $ 412.7 66.4 $ 488.0 68.1 $ 389.2 67.9
Packet Networking 72.2 11.6 72.4 10.1 48.2 8.4
Optical Transport 5.1   0.8   5.8   0.8   12.1   2.1
Total Networking Platforms 490.0 78.8 566.2 79.0 449.5 78.4
 
Software and Software-Related Services
Software Platforms 17.0 2.7 16.3 2.3 8.1 1.4
Software-Related Services 22.3   3.6   21.3   3.0   17.3   3.0
Total Software and Software-Related Services 39.3 6.3 37.6 5.3 25.4 4.4
 
Global Services
Maintenance Support and Training 55.0 8.9 59.8 8.3 56.1 9.8
Installation and Deployment 27.9 4.5 38.6 5.4 30.8 5.4
Consulting and Network Design 9.3   1.5   14.0   2.0   11.3   2.0
Total Global Services 92.2 14.9 112.4 15.7 98.2 17.2
           
Total $ 621.5   100.0   $ 716.2   100.0   $ 573.1   100.0
 

Additional Performance Metrics for Fiscal First Quarter 2017

       
Revenue by Geographic Region
Q1 FY 2017   Q4 FY 2016   Q1 FY 2016
Revenue   % ** Revenue   % ** Revenue   % **
North America $ 405.9 65.3 $ 463.1 64.7 $ 392.7 68.5
Europe, Middle East and Africa 91.5 14.7 112.5 15.7 80.7 14.1
Caribbean and Latin America 35.2 5.7 46.8 6.5 43.8 7.6
Asia Pacific 88.9   14.3   93.8   13.1   55.9   9.8
Total $ 621.5   100.0   $ 716.2   100.0   $ 573.1   100.0
 

** Denotes % of total revenue

  • U.S. customers contributed 61.1% of total revenue
  • Two customer accounted for greater than 10% of revenue and represented 27% of total revenue
  • Cash and investments totaled $1.05 billion
  • Cash flow used in operations totaled $26.3 million
  • Average days' sales outstanding (DSOs) were 86
  • Accounts receivable balance was $595.7 million
  • Inventories totaled $284.6 million, including:
    • Raw materials: $43.5 million
    • Work in process: $13.9 million
    • Finished goods: $197.7 million
    • Deferred cost of sales: $83.9 million
    • Reserve for excess and obsolescence: $(54.4) million
  • Product inventory turns were 4.0
  • Headcount totaled 5,613

Business Outlook for Fiscal Second Quarter 2017

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 each of the "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Non-GAAP Presentation of Quarterly Results" found in the Notes to Investors below.

Ciena expects fiscal second quarter 2017 financial performance to include:

  • Revenue in the range of $680 to $710 million
  • Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross margin in the mid-40s percentage range
  • Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense of approximately $240 million

Live Web Broadcast of Unaudited Fiscal First Quarter 2017 Results

Ciena will host a discussion of its unaudited fiscal first quarter 2017 results with investors and financial analysts today, Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern). The live broadcast will be available at www.ciena.com, and an archived replay will be available shortly following the conclusion of the live broadcast on the Investor Relations page of Ciena's website at www.ciena.com/investors. Ciena will also post to the Investor Relations page a presentation that includes certain highlighted information discussed on the call and certain historical results of operations.

Notes to Investors

Forward-Looking Statements. You are encouraged to review the Investors section of our website, where we routinely post press releases, 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 overall first quarter performance demonstrates our ability to grow and capture market share across geographies, market segments and product lines, reflecting the investments we've made to diversify our business in these areas"; "Our strategic investments and differentiated portfolio are providing us strong momentum in the market, and as a result we believe that we are well-positioned to deliver on our fiscal 2017 financial targets"; "Ciena expects fiscal second quarter 2017 financial performance to include: Revenue in the range of $680 to $710 million; Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross margin in the mid-40s percentage range; Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense of approximately $240 million."

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 and their business; changes in network spending or network strategy by large communication service providers; seasonality and the timing and size of customer orders, including 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; supply chain disruptions and the level of success relating to efforts to optimize Ciena's operations; changes in foreign currency exchange rates affecting revenue and operating expense; and the other risk factors disclosed in Ciena's Report on Form 10-K, which Ciena filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 21, 2016. Ciena assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information included in this press release.

Non-GAAP Presentation of Quarterly Results. This release includes non-GAAP measures of Ciena's gross profit, operating expense, income (loss) from operations, net income (loss) and net income (loss) 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, Appendix A to this press release sets forth a complete GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures contained in this release.

With respect to Ciena’s expectations under “Business Outlook for Fiscal Second Quarter 2017” above, Ciena is not able to provide a quantitative reconciliation of the adjusted (non-GAAP) gross margin and adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense guidance measures to the corresponding gross profit and gross profit percentage, and operating expense 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 (NYSE: CIEN) is a network strategy and technology company. We translate best-in-class technology into value through a high-touch, consultative business model – with a relentless drive to create exceptional experiences measured by outcomes. For updates on Ciena, follow us on Twitter @Ciena, LinkedIn, 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 January 31,
2017   2016
Revenue:
Products $ 506,993 $ 457,589
Services 114,504   115,526  
Total revenue 621,497   573,115  
Cost of goods sold:
Products 286,811 260,482
Services 60,901   61,183  
Total cost of goods sold 347,712   321,665  
Gross profit 273,785   251,450  
Operating expenses:
Research and development 116,869 108,046
Selling and marketing 85,002 82,478
General and administrative 35,864 31,142
Acquisition and integration costs 1,299
Amortization of intangible assets 14,551 16,862
Restructuring costs 2,395   384  
Total operating expenses 254,681   240,211  
Income from operations 19,104 11,239
Interest and other income (loss), net 370 (8,776 )
Interest expense (15,203 ) (12,710 )
Income (loss) before income taxes 4,271   (10,247 )
Provision for income taxes 410   1,299  
Net income (loss) $ 3,861   $ (11,546 )
 
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
Basic net income (loss) per common share $ 0.03   $ (0.08 )
Diluted net income (loss) per potential common share $ 0.03   $ (0.08 )
 
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 140,682   136,675  
Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding1 142,184   136,675  
 
1. Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding used in calculating GAAP diluted net income per common share for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 includes 1.5 million shares underlying certain stock options and restricted stock units.
   
CIENA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
 
January 31,
2017
October 31,
2016
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 693,853 $ 777,615
Short-term investments 250,056 275,248
Accounts receivable, net 595,706 576,235
Inventories 284,595 211,251
Prepaid expenses and other 173,842   172,843  
Total current assets 1,998,052 2,013,192
Long-term investments 109,934 90,172
Equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, net 293,150 288,406
Goodwill 267,169 266,974
Other intangible assets, net 127,847 146,711
Other long-term assets 63,942   68,120  
Total assets $ 2,860,094   $ 2,873,575  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 273,513 $ 235,942
Accrued liabilities and other short-term obligations 264,555 310,353
Deferred revenue 113,371 109,009
Current portion of long-term debt 190,122   236,241  
Total current liabilities 841,561 891,545
Long-term deferred revenue 78,565 73,854
Other long-term obligations 121,320 124,394
Long-term debt, net 1,019,755   1,017,441  
Total liabilities $ 2,061,201   $ 2,107,234  
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; 141,262,606 and 139,767,627 shares issued and outstanding

1,413 1,398
Additional paid-in capital 6,737,996 6,715,478
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (18,171 ) (24,329 )
Accumulated deficit (5,922,345 ) (5,926,206 )
Total stockholders’ equity 798,893   766,341  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 2,860,094   $ 2,873,575  
 
CIENA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended January 31,
2017   2016
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 3,861 $ (11,546 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation of equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, and amortization of leasehold improvements 16,699 14,449
Share-based compensation costs 12,825 14,477
Amortization of intangible assets 18,864 20,506
Provision for inventory excess and obsolescence 5,431 7,016
Provision for warranty 553 4,971
Other 4,452 11,087
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (21,956 ) 63,332
Inventories (78,749 ) (22,134 )
Prepaid expenses and other (1,004 ) 6,761
Accounts payable, accruals and other obligations 4,037 (80,014 )
Deferred revenue 8,737   (13,925 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (26,250 ) 14,980  
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Payments for equipment, furniture, fixtures and intellectual property (25,706 ) (28,873 )
Purchase of available for sale securities (89,897 ) (134,869 )
Proceeds from maturities of available for sale securities 95,000 30,000
Settlement of foreign currency forward contracts, net 440   (295 )
Net cash used in investing activities (20,163 ) (134,037 )
Cash flows provided by financing activities:
Payment of long term debt (46,296 ) (14,639 )
Payment of debt and equity issuance costs (797 )
Payment of capital lease obligations (605 ) (1,627 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 9,708   8,870  
Net cash used in financing activities (37,193 ) (8,193 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (156 ) (3,400 )
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (83,762 ) (130,650 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 777,615   790,971  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 693,853   $ 660,321  
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for interest $ 11,831 $ 9,902
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net $ 5,521 $ 3,702
Non-cash investing activities
Purchase of equipment in accounts payable $ 5,293 $ 8,782
Equipment acquired under capital lease $ $ 1,219
Construction in progress subject to build-to-suit lease $ $ 11,522
 
APPENDIX A - Reconciliation of Adjusted (Non- GAAP) Quarterly Measurements
 
Quarter Ended January 31,
2017 2016
Gross Profit Reconciliation
GAAP gross profit $ 273,785   $ 251,450  
Share-based compensation-products 561 571
Share-based compensation-services 628 592
Amortization of intangible assets 4,313   3,438  
Total adjustments related to gross profit 5,502   4,601  
Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross profit $ 279,287   $ 256,051  
Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross profit percentage 44.9 % 44.7 %
 
Operating Expense Reconciliation
GAAP operating expense $ 254,681   $ 240,211  
Share-based compensation-research and development 3,209 3,428
Share-based compensation-sales and marketing 2,873 4,735
Share-based compensation-general and administrative 5,453 5,129
Acquisition and integration costs 1,299
Amortization of intangible assets 14,551 16,862
Restructuring costs 2,395   384  
Total adjustments related to operating expense 28,481   31,837  
Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense $ 226,200   $ 208,374  
 
Income from Operations Reconciliation
GAAP income from operations $ 19,104   $ 11,239  
Total adjustments related to gross profit 5,502 4,601
Total adjustments related to operating expense 28,481   31,837  
Adjusted (non-GAAP) income from operations $ 53,087   $ 47,677  
Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating margin percentage 8.5 % 8.3 %
 
Net Income Reconciliation
GAAP net income (loss) $ 3,861   $ (11,546 )
Total adjustments related to gross profit 5,502 4,601
Total adjustments related to operating expense 28,481 31,837
Non-cash loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt 41 (106 )
Non-cash interest expense 513   441  
Adjusted (non-GAAP) net income $ 38,398   $ 25,227  
 
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 140,682   136,675  
Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding 1 165,104   151,408  
 
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
GAAP diluted net income (loss) per common share $ 0.03 $ (0.08 )
Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted net income per common share 2 $ 0.26 $ 0.18
 
1. Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding used in calculating Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted net income per common share for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 includes 1.5 million shares underlying certain stock options and restricted stock units, 5.6 million shares underlying Ciena's 0.875% convertible senior notes, due June 15, 2017 and 17.4 million shares underlying Ciena's 3.75% convertible senior notes, due October 15, 2018.
 
Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding used in calculating Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted net income per common share for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 includes 1.8 million shares underlying certain stock options and restricted stock units and 12.9 million shares underlying Ciena's 0.875% convertible senior notes.
 
2. The calculation of Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted net income per common share for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 requires adding back interest expense of approximately $0.6 million associated with Ciena's 0.875% convertible senior notes, due June 15, 2017 and approximately $3.6 million associated with Ciena's 3.75% convertible senior notes, due October 15, 2018 to the Adjusted (non-GAAP) net income in order to derive the numerator for the Adjusted earnings per common share calculation.
 
The calculation of Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted net income per common share for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 requires adding back interest expense of approximately $1.4 million associated with Ciena's 0.875% convertible senior notes, due June 15, 2017 to the Adjusted (non-GAAP) net income in order to derive the numerator for the Adjusted earnings per common share calculation.
 

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.
  • Acquisition and integration costs - consist of expenses for financial, legal and accounting advisors and severance and other employee related costs, associated with our acquisition of Cyan, Inc. on August 3, 2015 and our acquisition of certain high-speed photonic component assets from TeraXion, Inc. on February 1, 2016. Ciena does not believe that these costs are reflective of its ongoing operating expense following its completion of these integration activities.
  • 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 its expected useful life.
  • Restructuring costs - costs incurred as a result of restructuring activities taken to align resources with perceived market opportunities.
  • Non-cash loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt - related to certain private repurchases conducted with several holders of Ciena's 0.875% convertible senior notes, due June 15, 2017.
  • Non-cash interest expense - a non-cash debt discount expense amortized as interest expense during the term of Ciena's 4.0% senior convertible notes due December 15, 2020 relating to the required separate accounting of the equity component of these convertible notes.

Contacts

Ciena Corporation
Press Contact:
Nicole Anderson, 877-857-7377
pr@ciena.com
or
Investor Contact:
Gregg Lampf, 877-243-6273
ir@ciena.com

Contacts

Ciena Corporation
Press Contact:
Nicole Anderson, 877-857-7377
pr@ciena.com
or
Investor Contact:
Gregg Lampf, 877-243-6273
ir@ciena.com