UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 7, 2008

Ciena Corporation


(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

0-21969

 

23-2725311

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1201 Winterson Road, Linthicum, MD

21090

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(410) 865-8500


Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code


(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


ITEM 2.02 – RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

On March 7, 2008, Ciena Corporation issued a press release announcing its financial results for the first fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2008. The text of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report. The information in this Report shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

ITEM 9.01 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(c) The following exhibit is being filed herewith:

Exhibit Number

Description of Document

 
Exhibit 99.1 Text of Press Release dated March 7, 2008, issued by Ciena Corporation, reporting its results of operations for the first fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2008.



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Ciena Corporation

 

Date:

March 7, 2008

By:

/s/ Russell B. Stevenson, Jr.

Russell B. Stevenson, Jr.

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Exhibit 99.1

Ciena Reports Fiscal First Quarter 2008 Results

Company Delivers 5% Sequential, 38% Year-over-Year Revenue Growth

LINTHICUM, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ciena® Corporation (NASDAQ:CIEN), the network specialist, today announced results for its fiscal first quarter ended January 31, 2008. Revenue for the first quarter totaled $227.4 million, representing an increase of 38% over the same period a year ago when the Company reported sales of $165.1 million.

On the basis of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Ciena’s net income for the fiscal first quarter 2008 was $28.8 million, or $0.28 per diluted share. This compares to a reported GAAP net income of $11.1 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago.

“As a specialist player in our industry, Ciena is differentiating itself by harnessing innovation to deliver solutions that enhance the operational value of our customers' networks,” said Gary Smith, Ciena president and CEO. “Our revenue growth during the last several years reflects the investments we’ve made in our product portfolio, which have enhanced our ability to seize new opportunities, thereby enabling us to take share and gain additional customer traction.”

Non-GAAP Presentation of Quarterly Results

In evaluating the operating performance of its business, Ciena’s management excludes certain charges and credits that are required by GAAP. These items, which are identified in the table that follows (in thousands, except per share data), 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 the Company’s control.


  Quarter   Quarter
Ended Ended
Jan 31, 2007 Jan 31, 2008
Share-based compensation-product $ 221 $ 565
Share-based compensation-services 193 246
Share-based compensation-research and development 743 1,177
Share-based compensation-sales and marketing 1,040 2,464
Share-based compensation-general and administrative 1,000 2,209
Amortization of intangible assets 6,295 6,470
Litigation settlement - 7,700
Restructuring recoveries   (466 )   -
Total adjustments related to income from operations $ 9,026   $ 20,831
 
Income from Operations Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP income from operations $ 2,780 $ 18,419
Adjustments related to income from operations   9,026     20,831
Adjusted (non-GAAP) income from operations $ 11,806   $ 39,250
 
Net Income Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP net income $ 11,056 $ 28,807
Adjustment for total adjustments noted above   9,026     20,831
Adjusted (non-GAAP) net income $ 20,082   $ 49,638

Weighted average basic common shares outstanding

84,953

86,910

Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding

93,259

109,009

 
GAAP diluted net income per share $ 0.12 $ 0.28
Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted net income per share $ 0.22 $ 0.47

Please see Appendix A for additional information about this table.

Adjusting Ciena’s unaudited fiscal first quarter 2008 GAAP net income of $28.8 million for the items noted above would increase the Company’s adjusted (non-GAAP) net income in the first quarter to $49.6 million. Adding the interest expense of $1.8 million associated with the Company’s 0.25% and 0.875% convertible senior notes to the fiscal first quarter 2008’s adjusted (non-GAAP) net income in order to arrive at the numerator for the earnings per share calculation, results in an as-adjusted net income of $0.47 per adjusted diluted share. This compares with an adjusted (non-GAAP) net income of $20.1 million, or $0.22 per adjusted diluted share, in the same year-ago period. Note that calculating the as-adjusted diluted earnings per share for the fiscal first quarter 2007 requires that interest expense of approximately $0.5 million associated with the Company’s 0.25% convertible senior notes be added to GAAP net income in order to arrive at the numerator for the earnings per share calculation.


First Quarter 2008 Performance Highlights

First Quarter 2008 Customer and Product Highlights

Business Outlook

“While we are mindful of the macro economic environment, indications from our customers to date suggest no change in the fundamental drivers of Ciena’s business: the demand for increasing network capacity and the transition to Ethernet/IP-based network infrastructures. Accordingly, we remain optimistic about our outlook for the year,” said Smith. “Inclusive of revenue expected from our recently closed acquisition of World Wide Packets, we anticipate current demand trends will enable us to deliver annual revenue growth in a range, up to 27 percent in fiscal 2008.”


Live Web Broadcast of Fiscal First Quarter Results

Ciena will host a discussion of its fiscal first quarter results with investors and financial analysts today, Friday, March 7, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern). The live broadcast of the discussion will be available via Ciena’s homepage at www.ciena.com. An archived version of the discussion will be available shortly following the conclusion of the live broadcast on the Investor Relations page of Ciena’s website at: http://www.ciena.com/investors/investors.htm.

NOTE TO INVESTORS

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof; and Ciena’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business, which include the risk factors disclosed in its Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 27, 2007. 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: while we are mindful of the macro economic environment, indications from our customers to date suggest no change in the fundamental drivers of Ciena’s business: the demand for increasing network capacity and the transition to Ethernet/IP-based network infrastructures; we remain optimistic about our outlook for the year; and inclusive of revenue expected from our recently closed acquisition of World Wide Packets, we anticipate current demand trends will enable us to deliver annual revenue growth in a range, up to 27 percent in fiscal 2008. Ciena assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


CIENA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
   
Quarter Ended January 31,
2007 2008
Revenues:
Products $ 146,282 $ 201,790
Services   18,819     25,626  
Total revenue   165,101     227,416  
 
Costs:
Products 74,979 91,387
Services   16,494     19,460  
Total cost of goods sold   91,473     110,847  
Gross profit   73,628     116,569  
Operating expenses:
Research and development 29,853 35,444
Selling and marketing 24,875 33,608
General and administrative 10,291 22,628
Amortization of intangible assets 6,295 6,470
Restructuring recoveries   (466 )   -  
Total operating expenses   70,848     98,150  
Income from operations 2,780 18,419
Interest and other income, net 14,845 19,082
Interest expense   (6,148 )   (7,358 )
Income before income taxes 11,477 30,143
Provision for income taxes   421     1,336  
Net income $ 11,056   $ 28,807  
Basic net income per common share $ 0.13   $ 0.33  
Diluted net income per potential common share $ 0.12   $ 0.28  
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding   84,953     86,910  
Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding   93,259     109,009  

CIENA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
   
ASSETS
October 31, January 31,
Current assets: 2007 2008
Cash and cash equivalents $ 892,061 $ 922,306
Short-term investments 822,185 259,643
Accounts receivable, net 104,078 144,639
Inventories 102,618 103,520
Prepaid expenses and other   47,817     40,566  
Total current assets 1,968,759 1,470,674
Long-term investments 33,946 33,946
Equipment, furniture and fixtures, net 46,671 48,878
Goodwill 232,015 232,015
Other intangible assets, net 67,144 59,235
Other long-term assets   67,738     68,668  
Total assets $ 2,416,273   $ 1,913,416  
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 55,389 $ 66,385
Accrued liabilities 90,922 81,546
Restructuring liabilities 1,026 914
Income taxes payable 7,768 2,052
Deferred revenue 33,025 31,452
Convertible notes payable   542,262     -  
Total current liabilities 730,392 182,349
Long-term deferred revenue 30,615 30,812
Long-term restructuring liabilities 3,662 3,565
Other long-term obligations 1,450 7,629
Convertible notes payable   800,000     800,000  
Total liabilities   1,566,119     1,024,355  
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock – par value $0.01; 20,000,000 shares authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding - -
Common stock – par value $0.01; 140,000,000 shares authorized; 86,752,069 and 87,052,680 shares issued and outstanding 868 871
Additional paid-in capital 5,519,741 5,527,873
Changes in unrealized gains on investments, net 350 888
Translation adjustment (1,593 ) (306 )
Accumulated deficit   (4,669,212 )   (4,640,265 )
Total stockholders' equity   850,154     889,061  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,416,273   $ 1,913,416  

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
  Three Months Ended January 31,
  2007       2008  
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 11,056 $ 28,807
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by used in operating activities:
Amortization of premium (discount) on marketable securities (1,249 ) (1,296 )
Depreciation and amortization of leasehold improvements 3,150 3,949
Share-based compensation 3,289 6,881
Amortization of intangibles 7,263 7,438
Deferred tax provision - 471
Provision for doubtful accounts - 25
Provision for inventory excess and obsolescence 4,763 5,794
Provision for warranty 4,791 2,914
Other 715 1,118
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (32,250 ) (40,586 )
Inventories (2,226 ) (6,696 )
Prepaid expenses and other (11,289 ) 5,413
Accounts payable and accruals (1,810 ) 6,383
Income taxes payable 317 (5,576 )
Deferred revenue and other obligations   2,186     (1,376 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   (11,294 )   13,663  
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for equipment, furniture, fixtures and intellectual property (6,590 ) (6,666 )
Restricted cash (521 ) (263 )
Purchase of available for sale securities (88,632 ) -
Proceeds from maturities of available for sale securities   258,171     564,376  
Net cash provided by investing activities   162,428     557,447  
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of 3.75% convertible notes payable - (542,262 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants   2,781     1,254  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   2,781     (541,008 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cost and cash equivalents - 143
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 153,915 30,102
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   220,164     892,061  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 374,079   $ 922,306  
 
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Purchase of equipment in accounts payable $ -   $ 1,355  

Appendix A

The adjustments management makes in analyzing Ciena’s fiscal first quarter 2008 GAAP results are as follows:

About Ciena

Ciena specializes in network transition. We provide the flexible platforms, intelligent software and professional services to build converged networks for enhanced services and applications. With a growing global presence, Ciena leverages its heritage of practical innovation to deliver maximum performance and economic value in communications networks worldwide. For more information, visit www.ciena.com.

CONTACT:
Ciena Corporation
Press Contact:
Nicole Anderson, 410-694-5786
pr@ciena.com
or
Investor Contact:
Marie Downing, 888-243-6223
ir@ciena.com