Filing Flows › Ciena (CIEN) › Q3 FY26
Ciena (CIEN) Q3 FY26 earnings results (third quarter fiscal 2026)
10-Q filed Sep 3, 2026
Ciena (CIEN) reported revenue of $1.7B for the third quarter fiscal 2026 (Q3 FY26), +37% from a year earlier and +6% from the quarter before. Operating margin was 18.0%, net earnings $266M (15.9% of revenue).
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.
| Q3 FY26 | Amount | Q/Q | Y/Y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $1.7B | +6% | +37% |
| Gross profit | $759M | +10% | +51% |
| Operating profit | $301M | +27% | +310% |
| Net earnings | $266M | +22% | +430% |
| Operating cash flow | $196M | -24% | +13% |
| Free cash flow | $116M | -47% | -14% |
What changed
Revenue was $1.7B in Q3 FY26, up 37% year over year and up 6% from the previous quarter. Optical Networking was the largest line at 71% of revenue. Optical Networking added $0.38B year over year (up 46%), 83% of the total change. Blue Planet Automation Software and Services declined 17%.
Gross margin was 45.4%, up 4.2 points from Q3 FY25. Operating profit was $0.30B, a 18.0% margin (up 12.0 points year over year). Of the extra revenue versus Q3 FY25, 50% reached operating profit, above the 6% margin then. Operating expenses grew 7% against revenue growth of 37%. The fastest-growing cost line was Research & development (+12%). Net earnings were $0.27B, up 430% year over year. The effective tax rate was 14.2%.
Operating cash flow was $0.20B (up 13% year over year), 74% of net earnings. Non-cash charges added back $0.04B of depreciation and amortization and $0.06B of share-based compensation. Working capital and other items used $0.17B. Capital expenditures of $0.08B left free cash flow of $0.12B.
Questions
What was Ciena's revenue in the third quarter fiscal 2026?
Ciena (CIEN) reported revenue of $1.7B for the third quarter fiscal 2026 (Q3 FY26), +37% from a year earlier and +6% from the quarter before.
Was Ciena profitable in the third quarter fiscal 2026?
Operating profit was $301M (18.0% of revenue) and net earnings $266M.
Source: Ciena 10-Q on SEC EDGAR.