Ciena reports positive 2018, fourth quarter trading results

News and Business

Network strategy and technology company Ciena has just announced unaudited financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and year ended October 31, 2018.

Headline statements include: total annual sales of US$3.1 billion (compared with US$2.8 billion for2017); Q4 Revenue of US$899.4 million (up 21% year over year); Q4 net Income per share of US$0.53 adjusted (non-GAAP); and the company also announced a share repurchase program meaning approximately 1.3 million shares of common stock were acquired for an aggregate price of US$36.2 million during the quarter.

“We achieved outstanding financial results in our fourth quarter and fiscal 2018 due to continued execution of our proven strategy,” said Gary Smith, Ciena’s president and CEO. “The combination of our innovation strength, successful interception of market trends and sustained ability to take share and outperform the market, along with a thriving industry environment, gives us tremendous confidence in both the near and longer term outlook for our business.”

For the fiscal fourth quarter 2018, Ciena reported revenue of US$899.4 million (US$744.4 million for Q4, 2017). For fiscal year 2018, Ciena reported revenue of US$3.09 billion compared to US$2.80 billion for fiscal year 2017.

The company’s adjusted (non-GAAP) net income for Q4, 2018 was US$81.0 million, or US$0.53 per diluted common share, which compares to an adjusted net income of US$48.5 million, or US$0.32 per diluted common share, for Q4, 2017. For fiscal year 2018, Ciena’s adjusted (non-GAAP) net income was US$210.6 million, or US$1.39 per diluted common share, as compared to an adjusted (non-GAAP) net income of US$177.7 million, or US$1.14 per diluted common share for fiscal year 2017.

During fiscal year 2018, Ciena repurchased approximately 4.3 million shares of its common stock at an average price of US$25.86 per share for an aggregate purchase price of US$111.0 million.

Highlighting its ongoing commitment to returning capital to shareholders, Ciena also announced that its Board of Directors has authorised a new program to repurchase up to US$500 million of its common stock, replacing the previous targeted repurchase plan.