Operating
Inventory write-downs
Ciena Inventory write-downs increased by 53.3% to $21.83M in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 100.0%, from $10.92M to $21.83M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Inventory write-downs shows an upward trend with a 28.3% CAGR. This increase may warrant attention — for this metric, lower values are generally preferred.
Analysis
StatementCash Flow Statement
SectionOperating
CategoryRisk
SignalLower is better
VolatilityModerate
First reportedQ1 2014
Last reportedQ1 2026Mar 5, 2026
How to read this metric
An increase suggests poor inventory management, product obsolescence, or weakening demand for specific product lines.
Detailed definition
Inventory write-downs occur when the carrying value of inventory exceeds its net realizable value due to obsolescence or...
Peer comparison
High in fast-moving technology sectors; peers in semiconductor testing monitor this closely to manage supply chain efficiency.
Metric ID:
operating_inventory_write_downHistorical Data
20 periods
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $4.50M | $3.06M | $4.39M | $3.80M | $4.69M | $3.55M | $4.15M | $5.50M | $7.19M | $6.08M | $10.70M | $10.35M | $12.80M | $12.25M | $41.94M | $10.92M | $12.51M | $10.75M | $14.24M | $21.83M |
| QoQ Change | — | -32.0% | +43.6% | -13.5% | +23.4% | -24.3% | +16.8% | +32.7% | +30.6% | -15.5% | +76.1% | -3.2% | +23.7% | -4.3% | +242.4% | -74.0% | +14.6% | -14.1% | +32.4% | +53.3% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +4.2% | +16.1% | -5.6% | +44.9% | +53.3% | +71.1% | +158.0% | +88.1% | +78.1% | +101.6% | +292.1% | +5.5% | -2.3% | -12.2% | -66.0% | +100.0% |
Range$3.06M – $41.94M
CAGR+39.5%
Avg YoY Growth+57.9%
Median YoY Growth+49.1%
Current Streak2 quarters growth
Inventory write-downs at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Ciena's inventory write-downs?
- Ciena (CIEN) reported inventory write-downs of $21.83M in Q4 2025.
- How has Ciena's inventory write-downs changed year-over-year?
- Ciena's inventory write-downs increased by 100.0% year-over-year, from $10.92M to $21.83M.
- What is the long-term trend for Ciena's inventory write-downs?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Ciena's inventory write-downs has grown at a 28.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $17.85M to $48.42M.
- What does inventory write-downs mean?
- A non-cash expense recorded when inventory becomes obsolete or loses value.