Ciena Corporation $CIEN Shares Bought by Mezzasalma Advisors LLC

Key Points

• Mezzasalma Advisors increased its Ciena stake by 300.1% to 5,682 shares worth about $2.0 million, while institutional investors collectively own 91.99% of the company.
• Ciena reported quarterly EPS of $2.11 versus the $1.73 consensus estimate, with revenue up 37% year over year to $1.67 billion. AI data-center demand and optical-networking infrastructure remain key growth drivers.
• Despite a recent pullback and insider sales conducted under pre-arranged trading plans, analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $506.11, well above the reported trading price of $358.94.

Mezzasalma Advisors LLC raised its stake in Ciena Corporation (NYSE:CIEN - Free Report) by 300.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,682 shares of the communications equipment provider's stock after purchasing an additional 4,262 shares during the period. Mezzasalma Advisors LLC's holdings in Ciena were worth $1,999,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Corient Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in Ciena by 30,114.5% in the fourth quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 2,870,677 shares of the communications equipment provider's stock worth $671,365,000 after purchasing an additional 2,861,176 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new stake in Ciena in the second quarter valued at about $404,948,000. Amanah Holdings Trust acquired a new stake in Ciena during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $46,774,000. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its stake in Ciena by 309.8% during the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 223,203 shares of the communications equipment provider's stock valued at $86,509,000 after buying an additional 168,736 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in Ciena by 147.3% during the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 190,949 shares of the communications equipment provider's stock valued at $74,132,000 after buying an additional 113,744 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.99% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Jason Phipps sold 2,629 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.19, for a total transaction of $933,794.51. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 57,388 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,383,643.72. This represents a 4.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Gary Smith sold 2,952 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $330.18, for a total transaction of $974,691.36. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 240,126 shares in the company, valued at approximately $79,284,802.68. This trade represents a 1.21% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold 31,862 shares of company stock worth $12,017,320 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.58% of the company's stock.

Ciena Stock Performance

CIEN stock traded down $41.46 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $358.94. The company had a trading volume of 3,311,087 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,897,164. The company has a quick ratio of 3.17, a current ratio of 3.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $379.66 and a 200 day moving average price of $441.56. Ciena Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $159.56 and a fifty-two week high of $637.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $50.90 billion, a PE ratio of 80.12, a P/E/G ratio of 5.63 and a beta of 1.28.

Ciena (NYSE:CIEN - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, September 3rd. The communications equipment provider reported $2.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.38. The company had revenue of $1.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.64 billion. Ciena had a return on equity of 25.33% and a net margin of 10.87%. The business's revenue was up 37.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.35 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Ciena Corporation will post 6.00 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on CIEN shares. Morgan Stanley reiterated a "positive" rating on shares of Ciena in a research report on Thursday, September 17th. Northland Securities set a $550.00 price target on Ciena in a report on Thursday, September 17th. TD Cowen reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Ciena in a research report on Thursday, September 17th. Barclays upped their price target on Ciena from $475.00 to $548.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 17th. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated an "outperform" rating and set a $600.00 price objective on shares of Ciena in a research note on Thursday, September 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ciena presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $506.11.

Ciena News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Ciena this week:

• Positive Sentiment: New subsea-network contract supports demand. Ciena will upgrade Space Norway’s subsea cable, highlighting continued demand for high-capacity optical networking infrastructure and international connectivity. Ciena to upgrade Space Norway subsea cable
• Positive Sentiment: AI-related demand remains a significant growth driver. Analysts argue that demand for optical networking equipment is outpacing supply as cloud providers expand AI data-center infrastructure. Bank of America maintained a Buy rating and a $550 price target, forecasting 35% to 40% revenue growth for Ciena in calendar 2026. Ciena's revenue could grow up to 40% as AI demand outstrips supply
• Neutral Sentiment: CEO stock sale was conducted under a trading plan. CEO Gary Smith sold 2,952 shares worth approximately $1.09 million under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan. The transaction reduced his direct holdings by 1.28%, but he still retained more than 228,000 shares, limiting its significance as a fundamental signal. Ciena CEO stock sale SEC filing
• Negative Sentiment: Profit-taking has hit the optical-networking sector. Ciena and peers including Coherent and Lumentum sold off as investors locked in gains following a powerful rally. The decline reflects concerns about the pace and sustainability of AI spending rather than a reported deterioration in Ciena’s operating results. Ciena slumps amid profit-taking after recent rally
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation leaves little room for disappointment. Commentary describes Ciena as more attractive after the pullback but still expensive, meaning the stock requires sustained exceptional growth to justify its valuation. Investors may therefore remain sensitive to any signs of slowing AI demand, supply constraints or margin pressure. Ciena getting more interesting but still expensive

Ciena Profile

Ciena Corporation is a networking technology company that provides communications infrastructure, software and services for telecommunications providers, cloud operators, enterprises, governments and research institutions. Its solutions are designed to help organizations build, manage and automate high-capacity networks that support applications such as cloud computing, broadband connectivity, data center interconnection and 5G services.

The company's portfolio includes optical networking systems and coherent optical technologies, routing and switching platforms, broadband access solutions, network management software and professional services.

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