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Why Is Ciena (CIEN) Down 2.3% Since Last Earnings Report?

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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Ciena (CIEN - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 2.3% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Ciena due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.

Ciena Q4 Earnings Miss Estimates, Revenues Rise Y/Y

Ciena reported mixed fourth-quarter fiscal 2019 (ended Oct 31, 2019) results, wherein the top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate but the bottom line missed the same. Market share gains on the back of technology leadership and diversified customer base in high-growth markets aided results.

Net Income

On a GAAP basis, net income for the quarter was $80.3 million or 51 cents per share compared with $64 million or 34 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year improvement was primarily driven by top-line growth. For fiscal 2019, net income was $253.4 million or $1.61 per share against net loss of $344.7 million or loss of $2.49 per share in fiscal 2018.

Quarterly adjusted net income came in at $90.4 million or 58 cents per share compared with $81 million or 53 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. The bottom line, however, missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5 cents.

Revenues

Quarterly total revenues increased 7.6% year over year to $968 million on the back of higher product sales. Ciena had one 10%-plus customers for the quarter, which represented 15.1% of revenues. The top line surpassed the consensus estimate of $965 million.

Region wise, revenues from North America were $672.7 million, up 21.1% year over year, driven by additional share gains across diverse customer base, including new wins and increasing traction of packet and software portfolios. Revenues from Europe, Middle East and Africa were $153 million, up 24.3%. Caribbean and Latin America totaled $43 million, down 18.9%. Asia Pacific revenues were $99.3 million, down 40.9%.

For fiscal 2019, revenues increased 15.4% year over year to $3,572.1 million. Ciena had three 10%-plus customers for the fiscal year, which represented 34.1% of revenues.

Quarterly Segment Results

Revenues from Networking Platforms increased 11.9% year over year to $797.7 million. Platform Software and Services revenues were $41.2 million compared with $56.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Blue Planet Automation Software and Services revenues grew from $10.7 million to $16.6 million. Revenues from Global Services were $112.5 million compared with $119.2 million a year ago.

Other Details

Gross margin was 43.4% compared with 44.3% in the year-ago quarter. Operating expenses were $326.5 million, up from $302.2 million. Operating income decreased to $93.2 million from $95.9 million. Operating margin was 9.6% compared with 10.7% in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was $151.6 million, up from $145.8 million.

During the reported quarter, Ciena repurchased nearly 1 million shares for an aggregate price of $38.2 million.

Cash Flow & Liquidity

During fiscal 2019, Ciena generated $413.1 million of net cash from operating activities compared with $229.3 million in fiscal 2018. As of Oct 31, 2019, the company had $904 million in cash and equivalents with $680.4 million of net long-term debt compared with the respective tallies of $745.4 million and $686.5 million a year ago.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

Estimates review followed a downward path over the past two months.

VGM Scores

Currently, Ciena has a great Growth Score of A, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

Outlook

Ciena has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.


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