Operating Expenses

Amortization expense

Ciena Amortization expense decreased by 22.5% to $4.74M in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 27.6%, from $6.55M to $4.74M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Amortization expense shows relatively stable performance with a 2.1% CAGR. This increase may warrant attention — for this metric, lower values are generally preferred.

Analysis

StatementIncome Statement
SectionOperating Expenses
CategoryProfitability
SignalLower is better
VolatilityStable
First reportedQ1 2025
Last reportedQ1 2026

How to read this metric

An increase typically follows major acquisitions, while a steady decline indicates the aging of the intangible asset portfolio.

Detailed definition

The systematic allocation of the cost of intangible assets, such as acquired customer lists or brand value, over their e...

Peer comparison

Common in companies with a history of M&A; peers with similar acquisition profiles will show comparable trends.

Metric ID: is_cat_amortization_expense

Historical Data

19 periods
 Q2 '21Q3 '21Q4 '21Q1 '22Q2 '22Q3 '22Q4 '22Q1 '23Q2 '23Q3 '23Q4 '23Q1 '24Q2 '24Q3 '24Q4 '24Q1 '25Q2 '25Q3 '25Q4 '25
Value$5.97M$5.84M$8.92M$8.92M$8.92M$5.75M$7.44M$9.85M$9.49M$10.58M$7.25M$7.95M$7.19M$7.19M$6.55M$6.55M$6.56M$6.11M$4.74M
QoQ Change-2.2%+52.8%+0.0%-0.0%-35.5%+29.3%+32.3%-3.6%+11.5%-31.4%+9.6%-9.6%+0.0%-8.9%+0.0%+0.2%-6.8%-22.5%
YoY Change+49.5%-1.4%-16.6%+10.4%+6.4%+83.8%-2.5%-19.3%-24.3%-32.1%-9.7%-17.6%-8.8%-14.9%-27.6%
Range$4.74M$10.58M
CAGR-5.0%
Avg YoY Growth-1.7%
Median YoY Growth-9.7%
Current Streak2 quarters decline

Amortization expense at Other Companies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ciena's amortization expense?
Ciena (CIEN) reported amortization expense of $4.74M in Q4 2025.
How has Ciena's amortization expense changed year-over-year?
Ciena's amortization expense decreased by 27.6% year-over-year, from $6.55M to $4.74M.
What is the long-term trend for Ciena's amortization expense?
Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Ciena's amortization expense has grown at a 2.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $23.73M to $25.76M.
What does amortization expense mean?
The periodic non-cash expense for writing down the value of intangible assets.