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Viavi Solutions Inc.: Q1 FY2027 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2027, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 56.9% year-over-year: Net revenue was $469.3 million, up 56.9% from $299.1 million a year earlier and 5.9% above the prior quarter’s $443.1 million. Source
  • Revenue came in above guidance: Management said first quarter performance came in above the high end of the $450 million to $460 million revenue range given in the prior release. Source
  • Non-GAAP EPS rose to $0.47: Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.47, up from $0.15 a year earlier and $0.34 in the prior quarter. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.29. Source
  • Network and Service Enablement revenue grew 74.1%: Network and Service Enablement revenue was $376.1 million, up 74.1% year-over-year and 6.3% sequentially, with a gross margin of 66.2%. Source
  • Growth momentum expected to continue: Management expects growth momentum to continue, citing inherent market demand and growth in data center and aerospace and defense end markets. Source
  • GAAP gross margin rose to 61.2%: GAAP gross margin was 61.2%, up from 59.1% in the prior quarter and 56.5% a year earlier. Non-GAAP gross margin was 64.4%. Source
  • Cash balance fell to $535.3 million: Total cash, short-term investments and restricted cash was $535.3 million at October 3, 2026, down from $656.7 million at June 27, 2026. Source
  • New $500 million buyback authorized: The board authorized up to $500 million of repurchases on November 1, 2026, in addition to the 2022 plan with about $18.4 million remaining. Source

“Fiscal 2027 is off to a strong start with first quarter performance coming in above the high end of our guidance.”

Oleg Khaykin, VIAVI's President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net revenue SourceSecond quarter of fiscal 2027, ending January 2, 2027$505 million to $515 millionNew
Non-GAAP EPS SourceSecond quarter of fiscal 2027, ending January 2, 2027$0.50 to $0.52New
Share repurchases SourceNew program authorized November 1, 2026up to $500 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Second-quarter fiscal 2027 net revenue and non-GAAP EPS ranges were given. The prior release gave ranges only for the first quarter. Source
  • New: A new common stock repurchase program of up to $500 million was authorized on November 1, 2026. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 56.9% year-over-year: Net revenue was $469.3 million, up 56.9% from $299.1 million a year earlier and 5.9% above the prior quarter’s $443.1 million. Source
  • Revenue came in above guidance: Management said first quarter performance came in above the high end of the $450 million to $460 million revenue range given in the prior release. Source
  • Non-GAAP EPS rose to $0.47: Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.47, up from $0.15 a year earlier and $0.34 in the prior quarter. GAAP diluted EPS was $0.29. Source
  • GAAP net income of $76.0 million: GAAP net income was $76.0 million, compared with a net loss of $21.4 million a year earlier. Non-GAAP net income was $125.8 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA reached $146.1 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $146.1 million, against $58.4 million a year earlier, according to the reconciliation table in the release. Source

Segments and regions

  • Network and Service Enablement revenue grew 74.1%: Network and Service Enablement revenue was $376.1 million, up 74.1% year-over-year and 6.3% sequentially, with a gross margin of 66.2%. Source
  • Network and Service Enablement margin rose to 25.5%: Segment operating income was $95.8 million, a 25.5% operating margin, against an 8.2% operating margin a year earlier. Source
  • Optical Security revenue grew 12.2%: Optical Security and Performance Products revenue was $93.2 million, up 12.2% year-over-year, with a 43.2% operating margin. Source

“We expect our growth momentum to continue driven by the inherent market demand and expanding opportunities in data center and aerospace and defense end markets”

Oleg Khaykin, VIAVI's President and Chief Executive Officer

Demand, end markets and strategy

  • Growth momentum expected to continue: Management expects growth momentum to continue, citing inherent market demand and growth in data center and aerospace and defense end markets. Source
  • Diversification named as growth driver: In the prior release, management said its diversification into data center and aerospace and defense had been a key growth driver during fiscal 2026.
  • Regional customer mix for the quarter: Americas customers were 43.9% of net revenue, Asia-Pacific 34.7% and EMEA 21.4% for the first quarter. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • GAAP gross margin rose to 61.2%: GAAP gross margin was 61.2%, up from 59.1% in the prior quarter and 56.5% a year earlier. Non-GAAP gross margin was 64.4%. Source
  • Research and development spending rose: Research and development expense was $69.5 million, against $56.0 million a year earlier. Selling, general and administrative expense was $129.5 million, against $104.2 million. Source
  • Amortization charges increased: Amortization of acquired technologies in cost of revenues was $12.7 million, against $6.9 million a year earlier. Other intangibles amortization was $7.4 million, against $1.5 million. Source
  • Insurance gain and contingent consideration: Interest and other income included a $5.0 million insurance settlement gain. The change in fair value of contingent consideration was a $12.4 million non-GAAP adjustment. Source

Capital, cash and returns to shareholders

  • Cash balance fell to $535.3 million: Total cash, short-term investments and restricted cash was $535.3 million at October 3, 2026, down from $656.7 million at June 27, 2026. Source
  • Operating cash flow was $104.7 million: Cash flows from operations were $104.7 million in the quarter, compared with $66.7 million in the fiscal fourth quarter. Source
  • New $500 million buyback authorized: The board authorized up to $500 million of repurchases on November 1, 2026, in addition to the 2022 plan with about $18.4 million remaining. Source
  • No minimum repurchase obligation: The company states it is not required to buy any set amount of stock under the program, which remains in effect until fully used or ended. Source
  • Notes carrying value of $642.5 million: Convertible notes of $250.0 million and senior notes of $400.0 million in principal had a total net carrying value of $642.5 million. Source

Balance sheet movements

  • Inventories rose; receivables fell: Inventories, net rose to $173.8 million from $155.3 million, while accounts receivable, net fell to $335.0 million from $351.3 million. Source
  • Stockholders’ equity declined: Total stockholders’ equity was $1,324.3 million, down from $1,448.5 million at June 27, 2026. Source
  • Property, plant and equipment increased: Property, plant and equipment, net was $231.1 million, up from $224.5 million, and goodwill, net rose to $705.3 million from $700.7 million. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 November 2026

  • Second quarter ends January 2, 2027: The next guidance period is the second quarter of fiscal 2027, ending January 2, 2027. Source
  • Repurchase methods listed: Repurchases may be made through open market purchases, a 10b5-1 plan, accelerated stock repurchases, privately negotiated transactions or other available methods. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Gross margin Source61.2% GAAP; 64.4% non-GAAP

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said first quarter performance came in above the high end of guidance. Source
  • Ahead: The prior release said fiscal 2026 performance had exceeded management expectations.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.