Viavi Beats Q1 Earnings Estimates on Solid Top-Line Improvement

Viavi Solutions Inc. VIAV reported solid first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with both the top and bottom lines surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company reported an increase in revenues backed by healthy growth in the Network and Service Enablement (NSE) and Optical Security and Performance Products (OSP) segments. Management’s strong emphasis on various markets such as wireless & fiber, optical transport, Ethernet, broadband access, video test and storage network testing is a key growth driver. However, a constrained spending environment owing to macroeconomic challenges is worrisome.Net IncomeOn a GAAP basis, Viavi recorded a net loss of $21.4 million or a loss of 10 cents per share compared with a net loss of $1.8 million or a loss of 1 cent per share in the year-ago quarter. The significant improvement in the bottom line on a GAAP basis, despite higher operating expenses and cost of revenues, was primarily due to top-line growth. Non-GAAP net income increased to $33.1 million or 15 cents per share from $12.4 million or 6 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. The bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents.Viavi Solutions Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Viavi Solutions Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Viavi Solutions Inc. QuoteRevenuesQuarterly revenues were $299.1 million, up 25.6% year over year. The healthy demand in the NSE and OSP segments cushioned the top line. Revenues beat the consensus estimate of $294 million. Net quarterly sales in the NSE segment were $216 million, up from $159.4 million in the year-ago quarter. The 35.5% growth was primarily driven by the strong demand for fiber lab and production products, along with aerospace and defense products. OSP revenues increased to $83.1 million from $78.8 million, primarily due to strength in anti-counterfeiting products.Net sales from America contributed $128.8 million to revenues, up from $88.7 million reported a year ago. Revenues from Asia-Pacific were $92.1 million, up 7.2% from the year-earlier quarter’s tally of $85.9 million. Revenues from EMEA increased to $78.2 million from $63.6 million a year ago.Other DetailsIn the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the non-GAAP gross margin was 60%, up 90 basis points (bps) from the prior-year quarter. Non-GAAP gross margin in the NSE segment was 63%, up 210 bps, led by higher volume and product mix. OSP segment’s non-GAAP gross margin was 52.3%, down 300 bps due to unfavorable product mix.Total non-GAAP operating margin increased 570 bps year over year to 15.7%. Non-GAAP operating margin in NSE increased 1,210 bps to 7.5%, while the OSP segment’s operating margin decreased 250 bps to 37.1% on higher manufacturing costs.Cash Flow & LiquidityIn the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Viavi generated $31 million of cash from operating activities, with a free cash flow of $22.5 million. As of Sept. 27, 2025, the company had $543.8 million in cash and cash equivalents with $640.5 million of long-term debt.OutlookFor the second quarter of fiscal 2026, management expects revenues in the range of $360-$370 million. Non-GAAP earnings per share are expected to be between 18 cents and 20 cents.For the NSE segment, revenues are projected to be between $283 and $293 million, with a non-GAAP operating margin of 13.6% owing to incremental contribution from Spirent. Revenues for the OSP segment are anticipated to be approximately $77 million, with a non-GAAP operating margin of 34%.Zacks RankViavi currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Upcoming ReleasesArista Networks Inc. ANET is scheduled to release third-quarter 2025 earnings on Nov. 5. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 72 cents per share, suggesting a growth of 20% from the year-ago reported figure.Arista has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 18.7%. Arista delivered an average earnings surprise of 12.8% in the last four reported quarters.Akamai Technologies, Inc. AKAM is slated to release third-quarter 2025 earnings on Nov. 6. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.64 per share, indicating a 3.1% growth from the year-ago reported figure.Akamai has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 4.9%. Akamai delivered an average earnings surprise of 7.1% in the last four reported quarters.Pinterest, Inc. PINS is set to release third-quarter 2025 earnings on Nov. 4. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 42 cents per share, implying a growth of 5% from the year-ago reported figure.Pinterest has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 33.9%. Pinterest delivered an average negative earnings surprise of 1.1% in the last four reported quarters.Zacks' Research Chief Picks Stock Most Likely to "At Least Double"Our experts have revealed their Top 5 recommendations with money-doubling potential – and Director of Research Sheraz Mian believes one is superior to the others. Of course, all our picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier recommendations like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.See Our Top Stock to Double (Plus 4 Runners Up) >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Akamai Technologies, Inc. (AKAM): Free Stock Analysis Report Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET): Free Stock Analysis Report Viavi Solutions Inc. (VIAV): Free Stock Analysis Report Pinterest, Inc. (PINS): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks