Document

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ciena Reports Fiscal First Quarter 2026 Financial Results

Summary

•Fiscal first quarter 2026 revenue was $1.43 billion, up 33% year-over-year

•Fiscal first quarter 2026 adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS) was $1.35, an increase of 111% compared to fiscal first quarter 2025

•Providing revenue guidance of $1.5 billion plus or minus $50 million for fiscal second quarter 2026

•Raising revenue guidance range for fiscal year 2026 to $5.9 billion to $6.3 billion, a 28% increase year-over-year at the midpoint

HANOVER, Md. - March 5, 2026 - Ciena® Corporation (NYSE: CIEN) today announced financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended January 31, 2026.

"We delivered a very strong fiscal first quarter, driven by focused execution and unprecedented, broad-based demand as we enable customers to monetize their AI investments,” said Gary Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ciena. "With industry‑leading technology and deep customer relationships, we are well positioned to meet multi‑year demand as AI‑driven networking continues to scale. We are investing and executing to deliver long‑term value for our shareholders and to support the full range of high‑speed connectivity needs for our customers."

Performance Summary for Fiscal First Quarter Ended January 31, 2026

Revenue:

•$1.43 billion in the fiscal first quarter 2026, compared to $1.07 billion in the fiscal first quarter 2025

Net Income per diluted share:

•$1.03 GAAP and $1.35 adjusted (non-GAAP) for the fiscal first quarter 2026, compared to $0.31 and $0.64 for fiscal first 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.


	GAAP Results (unaudited)								Non-GAAP Results (unaudited)
	Quarter Ended						Period		Quarter Ended						Period
	January 31,			February 1,			Change		January 31,			February 1,			Change
	2026			2025			Y-T-Y*		2026			2025			Y-T-Y*
Revenue	$	1,427.0		$	1,072.3		33.1	%	$	1,427.0		$	1,072.3		33.1	%
Gross margin	43.8		%	44.0		%	(0.2)	%	44.7		%	44.7		%	—	%
Operating expense	$	436.1		$	391.2		11.5	%	$	383.2		$	347.4		10.3	%
Operating margin	13.3		%	7.5		%	5.8	%	17.9		%	12.3		%	5.6	%
EBITDA	$	233.2		$	114.1		104.4	%	$	287.3		$	156.5		83.6	%

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

Business Outlook

“With a historically strong order book and record Q1 backlog, we are poised to deliver strong results, supported by durable demand, through 2026 and into 2027,” said Marc Graff, Ciena’s Chief Financial Officer. “Our strong balance sheet and financial discipline position the company to meet growing demand while improving profitability and shareholder returns.”

Ciena expects fiscal second quarter 2026 to include:

•Revenue in the range of $1.5 billion plus or minus $50 million

•Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross margin between 43.5% and 44.5%

•Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense of approximately $375 to $390 million

•Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating margin between 17.5% and 18.5%

Ciena expects fiscal year 2026 to include:

•Revenue in the range of $5.9 billion to $6.3 billion

•Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross margin between 43.5% and 44.5%

•Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense of approximately $1.52 to $1.53 billion

•Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating margin between 17.5% and 19.5%

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 “Economic considerations and assumptions in our 2026 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 First Quarter 2026

•Three customers represented 10%-plus of revenue for a total of 47.4% of revenue.

•Average days' sales outstanding (DSOs) were 72.

•Inventory turns were 3.2.

•Repurchased approximately 0.4 million shares of common stock for an aggregate price of $80.5 million under the $1 billion share repurchase program.

Financial Performance by Segment


	Revenue by Segment (unaudited)
	Quarter Ended
	January 31, 2026			February 1, 2025
	Revenue		%**	Revenue		%**
Networking Platforms
Optical Networking	$	1,023.2	71.7	$	728.0	67.9
Routing and Switching	126.0		8.8	93.2		8.7
Total Networking Platforms	1,149.2		80.5	821.2		76.6

Platform Software and Services	93.3		6.5	95.1		8.9

Blue Planet Automation Software and Services	20.4		1.5	26.0		2.4

Global Services
Maintenance, Support, and Learning	87.6		6.1	74.6		7.0
Implementation	67.9		4.8	47.7		4.4
Advisory and Enablement	8.6		0.6	7.7		0.7
Total Global Services	164.1		11.5	130.0		12.1

Total	$	1,427.0	100.0	$	1,072.3	100.0

** Denotes % of total revenue

Supplemental Materials and Live Web Broadcast of Unaudited Fiscal First Quarter 2026 Results

Today, Thursday, March 5, 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 first 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.

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 "We delivered a very strong fiscal first quarter, driven by focused execution and unprecedented, broad-based demand as we enable customers to monetize their AI investments. With industry‑leading technology and deep customer relationships, we are well positioned to meet multi‑year demand as AI‑driven networking continues to scale. We are investing and executing to deliver long‑term value for our shareholders and to support the full range of our customers’ high‑speed connectivity needs." and “With a historically strong order book and record Q1 backlog, we are poised to deliver strong results, supported by durable demand, through 2026 and into 2027. Our strong balance sheet and financial discipline position the company to meet growing demand while improving profitability and shareholder returns.”

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 first 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.

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.

CIENA CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)


	Quarter Ended
	January 31,		February 1,
	2026		2025
Revenue:
Products	$	1,179,870	$	854,785
Services	247,172		217,475
Total revenue	1,427,042		1,072,260
Cost of goods sold:
Products	666,574		490,804
Services	134,948		109,635
Total cost of goods sold	801,522		600,439
Gross profit	625,520		471,821
Operating expenses:
Research and development	221,458		192,663
Selling and marketing	148,867		136,504
General and administrative	59,243		53,902
Significant asset impairments and restructuring costs	1,498		1,544
Amortization of intangible assets	4,736		6,545
Acquisition and integration costs	306		—

Total operating expenses	436,108		391,158
Income from operations	189,412		80,663
Interest and other income, net	12,957		11,578
Interest expense	(21,254)		(22,918)
Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt	—		(729)
Income before income taxes	181,115		68,594
Provision for income taxes	30,832		24,022
Net income	$	150,283	$	44,572

Net Income per Common Share
Basic net income per common share	$	1.06	$	0.31
Diluted net income per potential common share	$	1.03	$	0.31

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	141,676		142,880
Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding1	145,799		145,944

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) 4.1 million for the first quarter ended fiscal 2026; and (ii) 3.1 million for the first quarter ended fiscal 2025.

CIENA CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)


	January 31,		November 1,
	2026		2025
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,123,413	$	1,091,952
Short-term investments	176,315		216,148
Accounts receivable, net	967,408		975,856
Inventories, net	845,823		826,235
Prepaid expenses and other	427,918		455,316
Total current assets	3,540,877		3,565,507
Long-term investments	69,876		57,142
Equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, net	437,838		386,779
Operating lease right-of-use assets	40,484		38,613
Goodwill	521,712		521,204
Other intangible assets, net	212,689		224,210
Deferred tax asset, net	877,995		884,889
Other long-term assets	190,888		186,323
Total assets	$	5,892,359	$	5,864,667
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	547,221	$	542,841
Accrued liabilities and other short-term obligations	395,881		531,081
Deferred revenue	290,418		208,936
Operating lease liabilities	13,273		13,956
Current portion of long-term debt	11,580		11,580

Total current liabilities	1,258,373		1,308,394
Long-term deferred revenue	100,455		94,850
Other long-term obligations	182,329		175,426
Long-term operating lease liabilities	34,100		32,516
Long-term debt, net	1,524,744		1,524,158
Total liabilities	3,100,001		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; 141,452,656 and 141,016,300 shares issued and outstanding	1,415		1,410
Additional paid-in capital	5,849,492		5,953,057
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(38,723)		(55,035)
Accumulated deficit	(3,019,826)		(3,170,109)
Total stockholders’ equity	2,792,358		2,729,323
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	5,892,359	$	5,864,667

CIENA CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)


	Quarter Ended
	January 31,		February 1,
	2026		2025
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
Net income	$	150,283	$	44,572
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation of equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, and amortization of leasehold improvements	32,309		24,679

Share-based compensation expense	49,827		40,806
Amortization of intangible assets	11,521		8,778
Deferred taxes	(7,043)		(17,085)
Provision for inventory excess and obsolescence	21,832		10,918
Provision for warranty	8,185		5,697

Other	(1,545)		(6,655)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	9,406		(33,454)
Inventories	(41,228)		(35,844)
Prepaid expenses and other	40,024		92,036
Operating lease right-of-use assets	2,879		2,902
Accounts payable, accruals and other obligations	(130,907)		(49,577)
Deferred revenue	86,013		20,311
Short and long-term operating lease liabilities	(3,911)		(4,361)
Net cash provided by operating activities	227,645		103,723
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Payments for equipment, furniture, and fixtures	(73,885)		(26,884)

Purchases of investments	(39,919)		(97,024)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments	68,882		55,061
Settlement of foreign currency forward contracts, net	1,036		1,757




Net cash used in investing activities	(43,886)		(67,090)
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)
Payment of finance lease obligations	(1,158)		(1,020)
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of stock unit awards	(90,100)		(25,489)
Repurchases of common stock - repurchase program, net	(80,513)		(81,176)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	17,226		17,133
Net cash used in financing activities	(154,545)		(93,457)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	2,247		(3,289)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	31,461		(60,113)
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	$	1,123,658	$	874,913
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for interest, net	$	16,879	$	25,559
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net	$	10,718	$	10,426
Operating lease payments	$	4,516	$	4,762
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Purchase of equipment in accounts payable	$	14,910	$	4,735

Repurchase of common stock in accrued liabilities from repurchase program, net	$	2,579	$	4,198
Operating right-of-use assets subject to lease liability	$	4,894	$	1,056


APPENDIX A - Reconciliation of Adjusted (Non- GAAP) Measurements
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)

	Quarter Ended
	January 31,			February 1,
	2026			2025
Gross Profit Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP gross profit	$	625,520		$	471,821
Share-based compensation-products	1,822			1,750
Share-based compensation-services	4,025			3,405
Amortization of intangible assets	6,785			2,233
Total adjustments related to gross profit	12,632			7,388
Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross profit	$	638,152		$	479,209
Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross profit percentage	44.7		%	44.7		%

Operating Expense Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP operating expense	$	436,108		$	391,158
Share-based compensation-research and development	16,594			14,237
Share-based compensation-sales and marketing	14,754			11,597
Share-based compensation-general and administrative	12,632			9,827
Significant asset impairments and restructuring costs	1,498			1,544
Amortization of intangible assets	4,736			6,545
Acquisition and integration costs	306			—
Holdback arrangement	2,403			—

Total adjustments related to operating expense	52,923			43,750
Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense	$	383,185		$	347,408

Income from Operations Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP income from operations	$	189,412		$	80,663
Total adjustments related to gross profit	12,632			7,388
Total adjustments related to operating expense	52,923			43,750
Total adjustments related to income from operations	65,555			51,138
Adjusted (non-GAAP) income from operations	$	254,967		$	131,801
Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating margin percentage	17.9		%	12.3		%

Net Income Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP net income	$	150,283		$	44,572
Exclude GAAP provision for income taxes	30,832			24,022
Income before income taxes	181,115			68,594
Total adjustments related to income from operations	65,555			51,138
Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt	—			729

Adjusted income before income taxes	246,670			120,461
Non-GAAP tax provision on adjusted income before income taxes	49,334			26,501
Adjusted (non-GAAP) net income	$	197,336		$	93,960

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	141,676			142,880
Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding 1	145,799			145,944









Net Income per Common Share
GAAP diluted net income per potential common share	$	1.03		$	0.31
Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted net income per potential common share	$	1.35		$	0.64

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) 4.1 million for the first quarter ended fiscal 2026; and (ii) 3.1 million for the first quarter ended fiscal 2025.


APPENDIX B - Calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
(in thousands) (unaudited)

	Quarter Ended
	January 31,		February 1,
	2026		2025
Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)
Net income (GAAP)	$	150,283	$	44,572
Add: Interest expense	21,254		22,918
Less: Interest and other income, net	12,957		11,578
Add: Loss on extinguishment and modification of debt	—		729
Add: Provision for income taxes	30,832		24,022
Add: Depreciation of equipment, building, furniture and fixtures, and amortization of leasehold improvements	32,309		24,679
Add: Amortization of intangible assets	11,521		8,778
EBITDA	$	233,242	$	114,120
Add: Share-based compensation expense	49,827		40,816
Add: Significant asset impairments and restructuring costs	1,498		1,544
Add: Acquisition and integration costs	306		—

Add: Holdback arrangement	2,403		—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	287,276	$	156,480

* * *

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.

•Acquisition and integration costs - consists of financial, legal, and accounting advisors and employee-related costs related to our acquisition of Nubis Communications, Inc. during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.

•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.

•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 20% for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 and 22% for the first 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.