A maker of the fiber-optic gear that carries the world's internet traffic, Ciena builds optical networking, routing, and switching systems used by telecom carriers, cloud providers, and enterprises. Its products include the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform, Waveserver, and Blue Planet automation software. Founded in 1992 by engineer David Huber as HydraLite, the company was renamed Ciena in 1994 when its first CEO, Patrick Nettles, coined the new name. It introduced the MultiWave 1600, the world's first commercially available 16-channel DWDM platform, which helped jumpstart the modern fiber-optic era.
Ciena closes $2.875B zero-coupon convertible notes offering due 2031
Ciena Corporation closed a private offering of $2.875 billion aggregate principal amount of 0.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2031, including $375.0 million from the full exercise of the initial purchasers' option.
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The notes mature on September 15, 2031, with an initial conversion rate of 1.3393 shares per $1,000 principal (initial conversion price ~$746.66 per share).
Net proceeds were approximately $2.72 billion; Ciena used ~$140.0 million to repurchase ~0.3 million shares at $466.67 per share and ~$1.14 billion to repay its existing senior secured term loan.
Ciena entered into convertible note hedge and warrant transactions, increasing the effective conversion price to $1,000 per share, and amended its credit agreement to extend the revolving facility maturity to October 24, 2030.
The notes and warrants were sold in unregistered transactions under Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 144A; the maximum shares issuable under warrants is 7,700,978.
1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement · 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement · 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities · 8.01 Other Events · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Ciena announces $2.0 billion convertible senior notes offering due 2031, with option for $300 million additional.
Ciena Corporation announced on June 8, 2026, its intention to offer $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2031 in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A.
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The notes will be guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each wholly-owned domestic subsidiary that guarantees its 4.00% senior notes due 2030 or any refinancing.
Initial purchasers will have an option to buy up to an additional $300.0 million principal amount of notes within a 13-day period starting on the initial closing date.
Proceeds will be used to pay the net cost of convertible note hedge transactions, repurchase up to $140 million of common stock, repay approximately $1.14 billion of the existing term loan, and for general corporate purposes.
The company expects to enter into a Credit Agreement Amendment to extend the revolving facility maturity to October 24, 2030, and adjust interest rate terms, conditioned on repayment of the existing term loan.
8.01 Other Events · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Ciena renews change in control severance agreements for executive officers through November 2028
The agreements provide severance benefits if employment is terminated without cause or for good reason within 90 days before or 12 months (18 months for the CEO) after a change in control.
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Effective November 30, 2025, Ciena entered into revised change in control severance agreements with its executive officers, including CEO Gary B. Smith, CFO Marc D. Graff, and others.
The new agreements have fixed terms through November 30, 2028, replacing the prior agreements that expired on November 30, 2025.
Changes include clarifying that the agreements do not limit Ciena's Executive Compensation Clawback Policy and clarifying equity treatment under Section 409A.
Severance benefits and other terms are substantially equivalent to the prior form of agreements.
The agreements cover named executive officers including Dino DiPerna, Jason M. Phipps, and David M. Rothenstein.
5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements