Ciena (CIEN) Beats on Q1 Earnings Despite Revenue Contraction
Ciena Corporation CIEN reported relatively healthy first-quarter fiscal 2021 (ended Jan 30, 2021) results with both the top and bottom line surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, guidance for the second quarter failed to meet investors’ expectations and the stock fell 3.3% to close at $48.87 post the earnings release.
Net Income
On a GAAP basis, net income in the quarter was $55.3 million or 35 cents per share compared with $62.3 million or 40 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year decline, despite lower operating expenses, was primarily attributable to top-line contraction.
Adjusted net income was relatively flat at $81.3 million or 52 cents per share and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7 cents.
Ciena Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Ciena Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Ciena Corporation Quote
Revenues
Total revenues were down 9.1% year over year to $757.1 million, primarily due to the COVID-19 adversities. The top line, however, beat the consensus estimate of $750 million.
Region-wise, revenues in the Americas were $496.6 million, down 13.5% year over year owing to the virus outbreak and consequent lockdown restrictions. Revenues in Europe, Middle East and Africa were $155.4 million, up from $130 million with encouraging signs of recovery from certain markets. Asia-Pacific revenues totaled $105.1 million, down 18.5%.
Quarterly Segment Results
Total revenues in Networking Platforms decreased 12.5% year over year to $576.6 million. Platform Software and Services revenues were $49.9 million compared with $51.9 million in the prior-year quarter. Blue Planet Automation Software and Services revenues increased from $15.5 million to $16.9 million. Revenues in Global Services were $113.7 million, up 6.8%.
Other Details
Adjusted gross margin was 48% compared with 45.1% in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted operating expenses were $253 million, down from $266.4 million. Operating income declined to $75.8 million from $78 million, while adjusted operating income increased to $110.7 million from $109.4 million. Adjusted operating margin came in at 14.6% compared with 13.1% in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was $133.8 million, down from $135.3 million.
Cash Flow & Liquidity
In first-quarter fiscal 2021, Ciena utilized $7.3 million of cash for operating activities against cash flow of $39.8 million in the year-ago period. The company repurchased 0.3 million shares for $13.2 million in the quarter. As of Jan 30, 2021, the company had $1,029.2 million in cash and cash equivalents with $674.9 million of net long-term debt.
Guidance
For the fiscal second quarter, the company expects revenues in the range of $810-$840 million with adjusted gross margin of 45-47%. For fiscal 2021, revenues are likely to grow 0-3% year over year with adjusted gross margin of 45-47% and adjusted operating margin of 15-16%. Management expects to witness a strong rebound in the second half of the fiscal as the markets gradually return to pre-pandemic levels. Increased network traffic, higher demand for bandwidth and adoption of cloud architectures remain key growth drivers as the company expects to improve its profitability with a balanced mix of new and existing customers.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Ciena currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the broader industry are Knowles Corporation KN, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and Corning Incorporated GLW and Viavi Solutions Inc. VIAV, both carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Knowles has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 10%. It delivered a positive earnings surprise of 19.3%, on average, in the trailing four quarters.
Corning has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 2%. It delivered a positive earnings surprise of 41.6%, on average, in the trailing four quarters.
Viavi delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 20.2%, on average.
Time to Invest in Legal Marijuana
If you’re looking for big gains, there couldn’t be a better time to get in on a young industry primed to skyrocket from $17.7 billion back in 2019 to an expected $73.6 billion by 2027.
After a clean sweep of 6 election referendums in 5 states, pot is now legal in 36 states plus D.C. Federal legalization is expected soon and that could be a still greater bonanza for investors. Even before the latest wave of legalization, Zacks Investment Research has recommended pot stocks that have shot up as high as +285.9%
You’re invited to check out Zacks’ Marijuana Moneymakers: An Investor’s Guide. It features a timely Watch List of pot stocks and ETFs with exceptional growth potential.
Today, Download Marijuana Moneymakers FREE >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Ciena Corporation (CIEN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Corning Incorporated (GLW) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Knowles Corporation (KN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV) : Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment Research
