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Tellabs Reverses 3Q Loss Caused By Write-Downs, Charges



DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Tellabs Inc.'s (TLAB) reversed a prior-year third-quarter loss caused by write-downs and restructuring charges, though growth in transport and services revenue in the latest quarter was offset by lower broadband segment revenue.

While phone carriers plan significantly less capital spending this year, there have been some signs that demand is stabilizing. Meanwhile, the global recession is just the latest challenge for the telecom networking industry, on top of increased competition from low-cost Asian rivals and weakening negotiating leverage as the telecom sector consolidates.

Tellabs--a supplier of voice, data and video systems--reported a profit of $ 29.3 million, or 7 cents a share, compared with a prior-year loss of $998.5 million or $2.51 per share. Earnings were 5 cents last year excluding the charges. Revenue decreased 8.2% to $389.3 million.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters most recently forecast earnings of 6 cents a share on revenue of $394 million.

Gross margin rose to 41.7% from 38.2% mostly on increased profitability of the company's access products and stronger data-product revenue.

Broadband segment revenue dropped 21% and earnings were up 2.3%, despite data- product sales rising 21%. Its transport segment saw a revenue increase of 17%, boosting segment profit by 33%.

Looking ahead, Tellabs sees fourth-quarter revenue plus or minus 3% from the third quarter's $389.3 million. Analysts are expecting $399 million.

Shares closed Friday at $6.66 and didn't trade premarket. The stock is up nearly two-thirds this year.

-By Tess Stynes, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2481; Tess.Stynes@dowjones.com


  (END) Dow Jones Newswires
  10-26-090745ET
  Copyright (c) 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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