It has been about a month since the last earnings report for F5 Networks (FFIV) . Shares have lost about 10.3% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.But investors have to be wondering, will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is F5 due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent drivers for F5, Inc. before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of lat ...

Core Insights - F5, Inc. (FFIV) reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results for fiscal 2025, with non-GAAP EPS of $4.39, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.86% and management's guidance of $3.87-$3.99 [1][10] - The company's revenues for the fourth quarter reached $810 million, surpassing the consensus mark by 2.22% and showing an 8% year-over-year increase [2][10] - Despite strong results, shares of F5 fell 6.8% in after-hours trading due to weaker revenue and EPS guidance for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 and concerns over a recent security incident [3][10] Financial Performance - Product revenues, accounting for 51.1% of total revenues, increased 15.6% year over year to $414.1 million, driven by a 42% surge in Systems revenues, which totaled $186 million [4][5] - Software revenues rose slightly by 0.3% year over year to $229 million, while Global Services revenues grew 2% year over year to $396 million [6] - Non-GAAP gross profit increased 10.3% year over year to $683 million, with a gross margin of 84.3%, up 130 basis points from the previous year [7] Cash Flow and Share Repurchase - F5 ended the September quarter with cash and short-term investments of $1.36 billion, down from $1.44 billion in the previous quarter [8] - The company generated an operating cash flow of $208 million for the quarter and $950 million for the full fiscal 2025 [8] - F5 repurchased shares worth $125 million in the fourth quarter and $502 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2025 [8] Guidance - For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, F5 expects revenues between $730 million and $780 million, below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $789.4 million [9][11] - The projected non-GAAP EPS for the first quarter is in the range of $3.35-$3.85, compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.02 [11] - F5 anticipates fiscal 2026 revenues to grow in the mid-single-digit range, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate pegged at $3.19 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 3.9% [11]

Core Insights - Ciena Corporation reported strong financial results for Q3 fiscal 2025, with adjusted EPS of 67 cents, exceeding estimates by 28.9%, and showing a 91% year-over-year increase [1][9] - Quarterly revenues reached $1.22 billion, a 30% increase year over year and surpassing estimates by 4%, driven by robust demand for RLS optical gear and Routing and Switching solutions [2][9] Financial Performance - The company's adjusted operating expenses were $380.2 million, a 13.2% increase year over year, exceeding guidance due to performance-linked incentives [12] - Non-GAAP adjusted gross margin was 41.9%, slightly below the previous year's 43.7%, but above management's guidance by 90 basis points [11] - Ciena's net cash flow from operating activities was $174.8 million, a significant improvement from an outflow of $159 million in the prior year [13] Segment Performance - Networking Platforms, which account for 77.2% of total revenues, saw a 34.6% year-over-year increase to $941.4 million, outperforming expectations [5] - Global Services revenues increased by 19.7% year over year to $160.2 million, exceeding estimates [6] - Non-telecom customer revenues represented 53% of total revenues, with direct Cloud Provider revenues surging 94% year over year [7] Market Position and Outlook - Ciena is well-positioned in high-speed connectivity, capitalizing on increased demand driven by AI growth [3] - The company expects revenue growth of 17% for fiscal 2026, reaching its three-year CAGR target a year early [17] - Ciena plans to continue investing in its roadmap while maintaining flat operating expenses around $1.5 billion [18] Stock Performance - Following the strong earnings report, Ciena's stock surged 23.3%, closing at $116.92, with a 128.5% increase over the past year compared to the industry growth of 69.7% [4]

Core Insights - Ciena reported $1.22 billion in revenue for the quarter ended July 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 29.4% and exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.17 billion by 4% [1] - The company achieved an EPS of $0.67, up from $0.35 a year ago, resulting in an EPS surprise of 28.85% compared to the consensus estimate of $0.52 [1] Revenue Breakdown - Total Networking Platforms revenue was $941.4 million, surpassing the estimated $895.05 million, reflecting a 34.6% year-over-year increase [4] - Total Global Services revenue reached $160.2 million, exceeding the $151.98 million estimate, with a year-over-year change of 19.7% [4] - Software and Services revenue totaled $117.8 million, below the $126.04 million estimate, but still showing an 8.1% year-over-year increase [4] - Networking Platforms revenue from Routing and Switching was $125.9 million, exceeding the $100.57 million estimate, with a 35.8% year-over-year increase [4] - Optical Networking revenue was $815.5 million, surpassing the $793.3 million estimate, reflecting a 34.4% year-over-year increase [4] - Products revenue was $976.8 million, exceeding the $938.51 million estimate, with a 33.9% year-over-year increase [4] - Blue Planet Automation Software and Services revenue was $27.8 million, below the $34.49 million estimate, but showing a 7.8% year-over-year increase [4] - Platform Software and Services revenue was $90 million, slightly below the $93.94 million estimate, with an 8.2% year-over-year increase [4] - Services revenue reached $242.58 million, exceeding the $238.91 million estimate, reflecting a 14% year-over-year increase [4] Profitability Metrics - Gross profit from Products was $396.77 million, surpassing the estimated $371.31 million [4] - Gross profit from Services was $106.31 million, slightly below the estimated $112.15 million [4] Stock Performance - Ciena's shares returned +0.5% over the past month, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.6% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Insights - F5 Networks reported strong Q3 earnings, with non-GAAP earnings per share of $4.16, exceeding expectations by 19.2% and up 23.8% year-over-year [2] - Revenues for Q3 reached $780 million, surpassing the consensus estimate by 3.6% and reflecting a 12.2% year-over-year increase [3] Financial Performance - Product revenues, accounting for 49.8% of total revenues, increased by 26% year-over-year to $389 million, outperforming estimates of $346.7 million [4] - Systems revenues surged 39% year-over-year to $181 million, representing 46.5% of total product revenues, driven by demand for infrastructure upgrades [5] - Software revenues rose 16% year-over-year to $208 million, exceeding estimates of $202 million [6] - Global Services revenues grew 1% year-over-year to $392 million, slightly below estimates of $399.5 million [6] Profitability Metrics - Non-GAAP gross profit increased 12.3% year-over-year to $649 million, with a gross margin of 83.1%, unchanged from the previous year [7] - Non-GAAP operating profit rose 14.6% year-over-year to $267 million, with an operating margin improvement of 90 basis points to 34.3% [7] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - F5 ended the quarter with cash and short-term investments of $1.44 billion, up from $1.26 billion in the previous quarter [8] - The company generated operating cash flow of $282 million during the quarter and $742 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2025 [8] - F5 repurchased shares worth $125 million in the fiscal third quarter and $377 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2025 [8] Future Guidance - F5 raised its fiscal 2025 revenue growth forecast to approximately 9%, up from the previous estimate of 6.5-7.5% [9] - Non-GAAP EPS is now projected to grow by 14-15%, compared to the earlier guidance of 8-10% [10] - For Q4 fiscal 2025, F5 expects revenues between $780 million and $800 million, with a non-GAAP EPS range of $3.87-$3.99 [10] Market Sentiment - Recent estimates for F5 have trended upward, indicating positive market sentiment [11] - F5 holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting expectations for above-average returns in the coming months [13]

Core Insights - F5, Inc. (FFIV) shares increased by 7.7% after reporting better-than-expected third-quarter results for fiscal 2025, along with an optimistic guidance for the full fiscal year [1] Financial Performance - F5 reported non-GAAP earnings of $4.16 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 19.2% and management's guidance of $3.41-$3.53, marking a 23.8% year-over-year increase [2][9] - Revenues for the third quarter reached $780 million, surpassing the consensus mark by 3.6% and showing a 12.2% year-over-year growth, also exceeding management's guidance of $740-$760 million [2][9] Revenue Breakdown - Product revenues, accounting for 49.8% of total revenues, rose 26% year-over-year to $389 million, driven by a 39% increase in Systems revenues to $181 million and a 16% increase in Software revenues to $208 million [3][4][5][9] - Global Services revenues, making up 50.2% of total revenues, grew 1% year-over-year to $392 million [5] Profitability Metrics - Non-GAAP gross profit increased by 12.3% year-over-year to $649 million, with a gross margin of 83.1% [6] - Non-GAAP operating income rose 14.6% to $267 million, with an operating margin improvement of 90 basis points to 34.3% [6] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - F5 ended the quarter with cash and short-term investments of $1.44 billion, up from $1.26 billion in the previous quarter [7] - The company generated an operating cash flow of $282 million during the quarter and $742 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2025 [7] - F5 repurchased shares worth $125 million in the fiscal third quarter and $377 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2025 [7] Guidance and Future Outlook - F5 raised its fiscal 2025 revenue growth forecast to approximately 9% at the midpoint, up from the previous projection of 6.5-7.5% [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2025 revenues is $3.02 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 7.3% [8] - For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, F5 expects revenues between $780 million and $800 million, with a consensus estimate of $770.6 million [10]

Core Insights - Ciena reported $1.13 billion in revenue for the quarter ended April 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 23.6% and a surprise of +2.78% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.1 billion [1] - The EPS for the same period was $0.42, compared to $0.27 a year ago, but fell short of the consensus estimate of $0.52, resulting in an EPS surprise of -19.23% [1] Revenue Breakdown - Total Networking Platforms revenue was $866.30 million, exceeding the estimated $829.74 million, reflecting a +28.1% change year-over-year [4] - Total Global Services revenue reached $146.20 million, slightly above the $144.17 million estimate, with an +8.5% year-over-year change [4] - Software and Services revenue totaled $113.40 million, below the $117.98 million estimate, but still showing a +13.6% increase year-over-year [4] - Networking Platforms revenue from Routing and Switching was $92.70 million, underperforming the estimated $103.56 million, with a -20.2% change year-over-year [4] - Optical Networking revenue was $773.60 million, surpassing the $723.28 million estimate, indicating a +38.1% year-over-year increase [4] - Total Products revenue was $898.58 million, exceeding the estimated $874.35 million, reflecting a +28.1% change year-over-year [4] - Blue Planet Automation Software and Services revenue was $28 million, above the $25.43 million estimate, showing a significant +94.4% year-over-year increase [4] - Platform Software and Services revenue was $85.40 million, below the $100.05 million estimate, with no change year-over-year [4] - Services revenue reached $227.30 million, slightly above the $222.76 million estimate, with an +8.5% year-over-year change [4] Profitability Metrics - Gross profit from Products was $348.60 million, slightly below the $356.09 million estimate [4] - Gross profit from Services was $104.24 million, exceeding the $100.18 million estimate [4] Stock Performance - Ciena's shares have returned +14.4% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +5.2% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Insights - F5, Inc. reported strong second-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with non-GAAP earnings of $3.42 per share, exceeding estimates by 10.3% and management's guidance [1] - Revenues for the quarter reached $731 million, surpassing the consensus mark by 2% and increasing 7.3% year-over-year [2] Financial Performance - Product revenues, accounting for 46.1% of total revenues, grew 12% year-over-year to $337.2 million, driven by a 27% increase in Systems revenues to $179 million [3] - Software revenues remained flat at $158 million compared to the previous year [4] - Global Services revenues, making up 53.9% of total revenues, increased 3% year-over-year to $393.9 million [4] - Non-GAAP gross margin expanded by 100 basis points to 83.1% from 82.1% a year ago [5] Balance Sheet & Cash Flow - F5 ended the quarter with cash and short-term investments of $1.26 billion, up from $1.16 billion in the previous quarter [6] - The company generated operating cash flow of $257 million, an increase from $203 million in the prior quarter [6] - F5 repurchased shares worth $252.1 million during the quarter [6] Guidance - F5 raised its fiscal 2025 revenue growth forecast to 6.5-7.5%, up from the previous 6-7% estimate [7] - Non-GAAP earnings per share growth is now projected at 8-10%, compared to the earlier estimate of 6.5-8.5% [8] - For the third quarter of fiscal 2025, F5 expects revenues between $740 million and $760 million [8] - The projected non-GAAP EPS for the third quarter is in the range of $3.41-$3.53 [9]