Red Ink Doesn't Faze Ciena

Updated from 10:05 a.m.

Losses schmlosses. Ciena (CIEN Quote) will brave a surge of red ink using a hefty cash supply and its leading technology, leaving it to investors to decide whether or not they're on board.

The optical networking shop is selling a mere third of the gear it needs to sell to turn a profit, but with nearly $2 billion in the bank, executives aren't panicked.

"While others are slashing and burning, there's an opportunity for us to hold the course," said Ciena Chief Executive Gary Smith in a postearnings call interview Thursday. "We are one of the few players that can sell our way back to profitability." ...