UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 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 4, 2010

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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

   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 4, 2010, Ciena Corporation (“Ciena”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2010. 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 4, 2010, issued by Ciena Corporation, reporting results of operations for its first fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2010.


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 thereunto duly authorized.


Ciena Corporation

 

 

Date:

March 4, 2010

By:

/s/ David M. Rothenstein

David M. Rothenstein

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Exhibit 99.1

Ciena Reports Unaudited Fiscal First Quarter 2010 Results

Nortel MEN Transaction Expected to Close by End of March

LINTHICUM, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 2010--Ciena® Corporation (NASDAQ:CIEN), the network specialist, today announced unaudited results for its fiscal first quarter ended January 31, 2010. Revenue for the fiscal first quarter 2010 totaled $175.9 million, which compares to $167.4 million for the fiscal first quarter 2009.

On the basis of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Ciena’s net loss for the fiscal first quarter 2010 was $(53.3) million, or $(0.58) per common share, which compares to a GAAP net loss of $(24.8) million, or $(0.27) per diluted common share for the fiscal first quarter of 2009. The fiscal first quarter 2010 included $27.0 million in acquisition and integration-related expenses associated with the pending acquisition of the optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel’s Metro Ethernet Networks (MEN) business. Ciena’s adjusted (non-GAAP) net loss for the fiscal first quarter 2010 was $(11.4) million, or $(0.12) per common share, which compares to an adjusted (non-GAAP) net loss of $(8.3) million, or $(0.09) per diluted common share for the fiscal first quarter 2009. A reconciliation between the GAAP and adjusted (non-GAAP) measures contained in this release is provided in the table in Appendix A.

“Revenue recognition delays associated with initial deployments of new platforms with certain customers adversely impacted fiscal first quarter revenue,” said Gary Smith, Ciena’s CEO and president. “However, with strong order flow in the quarter we remain encouraged by continued signs of an improving market environment.”


First Quarter 2010 Performance Summary

Business Outlook

Until the Nortel transaction has closed, any guidance provided by Ciena will be limited to Ciena as a standalone entity and will not include pro-forma estimates for combined company expectations.

“Based on our current view of the business, we anticipate that our fiscal second quarter revenue will be in the range of $185 million to $195 million,” stated Smith. “We also expect that as-adjusted gross margin will be within our target range of mid to high 40s, and as-adjusted operating expense exclusive of integration costs will be roughly flat with that of our first fiscal quarter.”

Nortel MEN Acquisition

“With respect to our pending acquisition of Nortel’s MEN business, our ongoing customer interactions indicate strong validation of the value of the combined company, and the integration planning activities are proceeding well and on schedule,” said Smith. “We continue to expect the transaction to close later this month, and will soon be providing updates on several important milestones related to the integration timeline, including the organizational structure of the new company and its leadership team as well as detail on our combined product portfolio.”

The assets to be acquired generated revenue of approximately US $798 million in the first nine months of Nortel’s fiscal 2009. As previously disclosed, prior to the closing of the Nortel transaction, Ciena may elect to replace some or all of the US $239 million in convertible notes that are to be issued as part of the total purchase price with cash equal to 102% of the face amount of such notes replaced. Ciena regularly assesses the conditions in the capital markets and will consider opportunities to make this election, which could include accessing the capital markets through an equity-linked issuance.

Live Web Broadcast of Unaudited Fiscal First Quarter Results

Ciena will host a discussion of its unaudited fiscal first quarter 2010 results with investors and financial analysts today, Thursday, March 4, 2010 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.


 
CIENA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
 
  Quarter Ended January 31,
2009   2010
Revenue:
Products $ 139,717 $ 149,054
Services   27,683     26,822  
Total revenue   167,400     175,876  
 
Cost of goods sold:
Products 76,367 76,669
Services   19,190     19,047  
Total cost of goods sold   95,557     95,716  
Gross profit   71,843     80,160  
Operating expenses:
Research and development 46,700 50,033
Selling and marketing 33,819 34,237
General and administrative 11,585 12,763
Acquisition and integration costs - 27,031
Amortization of intangible assets 6,404 5,981
Restructuring costs   76     (21 )
Total operating expenses   98,584     130,024  
Loss from operations (26,741 ) (49,864 )
Interest and other income (loss), net 4,660 (773 )
Interest expense (1,844 ) (1,828 )
Loss on cost method investments   (565 )   -  
Loss before income taxes (24,490 ) (52,465 )
Provision for income taxes   341     868  
Net loss $ (24,831 ) $ (53,333 )
Basic net loss per common share $ (0.27 ) $ (0.58 )
Diluted net loss per potential common share $ (0.27 ) $ (0.58 )
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding   90,620     92,321  
Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding   90,620     92,321  
 

 
CIENA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS    
October 31, January 31,
Current assets: 2009 2010
Cash and cash equivalents $ 485,705 $ 573,180
Short-term investments 563,183 428,409
Accounts receivable, net 118,251 105,624
Inventories 88,086 95,431
Prepaid expenses and other   50,537     75,423  
Total current assets 1,305,762 1,278,067
Long-term investments 8,031 8,048
Equipment, furniture and fixtures, net 61,868 64,351
Other intangible assets, net 60,820 53,433
Other long-term assets   67,902     77,208  
Total assets $ 1,504,383   $ 1,481,107  
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 53,104 $ 76,211
Accrued liabilities 103,349 97,560
Restructuring liabilities 1,811 1,566
Income tax payable - 1,306
Deferred revenue   40,565     43,722  
Total current liabilities 198,829 220,365
Long-term deferred revenue 35,368 37,177
Long-term restructuring liabilities 7,794 7,184
Other long-term obligations 8,554 8,330
Convertible notes payable   798,000     798,000  
Total liabilities   1,048,545     1,071,056  
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; 290,000,000 shares authorized; 92,038,360 and 92,566,178 shares issued and outstanding 920 926
Additional paid-in capital 5,665,028 5,673,387
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,223 404
Accumulated deficit   (5,211,333 )   (5,264,666 )
Total stockholders' equity   455,838     410,051  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,504,383   $ 1,481,107  
 

 
CIENA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
  Three Months Ended January 31,
2009   2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (24,831 ) $ (53,333 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Amortization of (discount) premium on marketable securities (863 ) 365
Loss on cost method investments 565 -
Depreciation of equipment, furniture and fixtures, and amortization of leasehold improvements 5,097 5,871
Share-based compensation costs 8,494 8,282
Amortization of intangible assets 8,055 7,631
Provision for inventory excess and obsolescence 6,548 950
Provision for warranty 2,541 3,060
Other 271 471
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 7,922 12,627
Inventories (4,379 ) (8,295 )
Prepaid expenses and other (147 ) 9,204
Accounts payable, accruals and other obligations (8,781 ) 11,366
Income taxes payable 1,162 1,306
Deferred revenue   (2,533 )   4,966  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   (879 )   4,471  
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for equipment, furniture, fixtures and intellectual property (6,140 ) (7,009 )
Restricted cash (84 ) (5,520 )
Purchase of available for sale securities (195,538 ) (63,591 )
Proceeds from maturities of available for sale securities 186,853 179,739
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities - 18,000
Deposit on pending business acquisition   -     (38,450 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (14,909 )   83,169  
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants   58     83  
Net cash provided by financing activities   58     83  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 46 (248 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (15,730 ) 87,723
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   550,669     485,705  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 534,985   $ 573,180  
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid (refunded) during the period for:
Interest $ 2,188 $ 2,560
Income taxes, net $ (695 ) $ 737
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Purchase of equipment in accounts payable $ 641 $ 3,294
 

 

APPENDIX A – Reconciliation of Adjusted (Non-GAAP) Quarterly Measurements

 
 
  Quarter Ended January 31,
2009   2010
 
Gross Profit Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP gross profit $ 71,843   $ 80,160  
Share-based compensation-product 713 379
Share-based compensation-services 397 430
Amortization of intangible assets   683     683  
Total adjustments related to gross profit   1,793     1,492  
Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross profit $ 73,636   $ 81,652  
Adjusted (non-GAAP) gross profit percentage 44 % 46 %
 
Operating Expense Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP operating expense $ 98,584   $ 130,024  
Stock compensation research and development 2,566 2,387
Stock compensation sales and marketing 2,703 2,458
Stock compensation general and administrative 2,419 2,576
Amortization of intangible assets 6,404 5,981
Acquisition and integration costs - 27,031
Restructuring costs (recoveries)   76     (21 )
Total adjustments related to operating expense   14,168     40,412  
Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating expense $ 84,416   $ 89,612  
 
Loss from Operations Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP loss from operations $ (26,741 ) $ (49,864 )
Total adjustments related to gross profit 1,793 1,492
Total adjustments related to operating expense   14,168     40,412  
Adjusted (non-GAAP) loss from operations $ (10,780 ) $ (7,960 )
Adjusted (non-GAAP) operating margin percentage -6 % -5 %
 
Net Loss Reconciliation (GAAP/non-GAAP)
GAAP net loss $ (24,831 ) $ (53,333 )
Total adjustments related to gross profit 1,793 1,492
Total adjustments related to operating expense 14,168 40,412
Loss on cost method investments   565     -  
Adjusted (non-GAAP) net loss $ (8,305 ) $ (11,429 )
 
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding   90,620     92,321  

Weighted average basic common and dilutive and potential common shares outstanding

  90,620     92,321  
 
Net Loss per Common Share
GAAP diluted net loss per common share $ (0.27 ) $ (0.58 )
Adjusted (non-GAAP) diluted net loss per common share $ (0.09 ) $ (0.12 )
 

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:

Note to Investors

Forward-looking statements. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. 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: “we remain encouraged by early signs of an improving market environment”; “based on our current view of the business, we anticipate that our fiscal second quarter revenue will be in the range of $185 million to $195 million”; “we also expect that as-adjusted gross margin will be within our target range of mid to high 40s, and as-adjusted operating expense exclusive of integration costs will be roughly flat with that of our first fiscal quarter”; “with respect to our pending acquisition Nortel’s MEN business, our ongoing customer interactions indicate strong validation of the value of the combined company, and the integration planning activities are proceeding well and on schedule”; “we continue to expect the transaction to close later this month, and will be soon providing updates on several important milestones related to the integration timeline, including the organizational structure of the new company and its leadership team as well as detail on our combined product portfolio.” Moreover, this release includes forward-looking statements and other information relating to our pending transaction with Nortel. Risks relating to this transaction include, but are not limited to: regulatory approvals may not be obtained or maintained; the anticipated benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction may not be realized; the integration could be materially delayed or may be more costly or difficult than expected; and the proposed transaction may not be consummated. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Ciena 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 the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Ciena with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 22, 2009. Ciena assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


Non-GAAP Presentation of Quarterly Results. This release includes non-GAAP measures of Ciena’s gross profit, operating expenses, income from operations, 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. For a complete GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures contained in this release, see Appendix A.

About Ciena

Ciena specializes in practical network transition. We offer leading network infrastructure solutions, intelligent software and a comprehensive services practice to help our customers use their networks to fundamentally change the way they compete. With a global presence, Ciena leverages its heritage of practical innovation to deliver maximum performance and economic value in communications networks worldwide. We routinely post recent news, financial results and other important announcements and information about Ciena on our website. For more information, visit www.ciena.com.

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