Filing Flows › Ciena (CIEN) › Guidance history
Ciena (CIEN) guidance history: what it guided and what it reported
Ciena gave guidance in 6 earnings releases on file since Dec 12, 2024. Of 4 guided periods since reported, it met or beat its own guidance 4 times (100%). Revenue: 4 of 4, on average +4.0% against the guided midpoint. Its releases raised guidance 3 times and lowered it 0 times.
Revenue
Met or beat 4 of 4 periods (3 above, 1 within, 0 below).
| Period | Guided (and how it moved) | Reported | Result | vs midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 FY26 | $1.8B (Sep 3, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
| Q3 FY26 | $1.6B (Jun 4, 2026) | $1.7B | above the range | +2.8% |
| Q2 FY26 | $1.4B–$1.6B (Mar 5, 2026) | $1.6B | above the range | +4.7% |
| FY26 | $5.9B–$6.3B (Mar 5, 2026) → raised $6.2B–$6.4B (Jun 4, 2026) → raised $6.4B–$6.5B (Sep 3, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
| Q1 FY26 | $1.4B–$1.4B (Dec 11, 2025) | $1.4B | within the range | +2.7% |
| Q4 FY25 | $1.2B–$1.3B (Sep 4, 2025) | $1.4B | above the range | +5.6% |
Adjusted gross margin
The guide is on an adjusted basis that the GAAP statements do not show, so there is no reported figure to hold it to.
| Period | Guided (and how it moved) | Reported | Result | vs midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 FY26 | 44.5%–45.5% (Sep 3, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
| Q3 FY26 | 44.5%–45.5% (Jun 4, 2026) | — | — | — |
| Q2 FY26 | 43.5%–44.5% (Mar 5, 2026) | — | — | — |
| Q1 FY26 | 43.0%–44.0% (Dec 11, 2025) | — | — | — |
| FY26 | 42.0%–44.0% (Dec 11, 2025) → raised 43.5%–44.5% (Mar 5, 2026) → raised 44.5%–45.0% (Jun 4, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
| Q4 FY25 | 42.0%–43.0% (Sep 4, 2025) | — | — | — |
Adjusted operating margin
The guide is on an adjusted basis that the GAAP statements do not show, so there is no reported figure to hold it to.
| Period | Guided (and how it moved) | Reported | Result | vs midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 FY26 | 19.5%–20.5% (Sep 3, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
| Q3 FY26 | 19.0%–20.0% (Jun 4, 2026) | — | — | — |
| Q2 FY26 | 17.5%–18.5% (Mar 5, 2026) | — | — | — |
| Q1 FY26 | 15.5%–16.5% (Dec 11, 2025) | — | — | — |
| FY26 | 16.0%–18.0% (Dec 11, 2025) → raised 17.5%–19.5% (Mar 5, 2026) → raised 18.5%–19.5% (Jun 4, 2026) | — | to be reported | — |
The latest quarter
Ciena, Q3 FY26: revenue $1.7B (+37% year over year), operating margin 18.0%, net earnings $266M, operating cash flow $196M. The chart follows the revenue to costs, profit and cash.
Questions
Does Ciena beat its guidance?
Ciena gave guidance in 6 earnings releases on file since Dec 12, 2024. Of 4 guided periods since reported, it met or beat its own guidance 4 times (100%). Revenue: 4 of 4, on average +4.0% against the guided midpoint.
How often does Ciena raise guidance?
Its earnings releases raised guidance 3 times and lowered it 0 times since Dec 12, 2024.
Each guided period is held to the last guidance given before its figures were reported; a single figure counts as in line within 1% (0.25 pts for a rate). Reported figures are GAAP, from the company's filings; adjusted guidance shows its moves only.