Avanex (AVNX) 8-K Avanex Corporation Announces Fiscal 2008 Fourth

Exhibit 99.1

Avanex Corporation Announces Fiscal 2008 Fourth

Quarter and Year-end Financial Results

FREMONT, Calif., August 21, 2008 — Avanex Corporation (NASDAQ: AVNXD), a pioneer of intelligent photonic solutions that enable next-generation optical networks, today reported its fiscal 2008 fourth quarter and year-end financial results for the quarter and year ended June 30, 2008.

Net revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 was $51.8 million, an increase of 5 percent from $49.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, and an increase of 1 percent from $51.1 million in the same period last year. Net revenue in fiscal year 2008 was $208.1 million, a 2 percent decrease from $212.8 million in the prior fiscal year.

Gross margin in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 was 32 percent, flat with the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, and an increase of 8 percentage points from 24 percent in the same period last year. Gross margins in fiscal year 2008 were 31 percent, up from 18 percent in fiscal year 2007. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 and full fiscal year of 2008, gross profit increased by over $3.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively, due to the global distribution agreement, arrangements with customers, and a settlement with our former French subsidiary. We do not expect these benefits to continue in fiscal year 2009.

Net income in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 was $1.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared with net income of $3.3 million, or $0.22 per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. This compares to a net loss of $5.7 million or a net loss of $0.38 per diluted share in the same period last year. Net income in fiscal year 2008 was $4.8 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $30.6 million, or a net loss of $2.16 per diluted share, in the same period last year. All per-share figures in this earnings release take into account the 15-for-1 reverse stock split that the company effected following the close of market on August 12, 2008.

Non-GAAP net income in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 was $1.6 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $2.9 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. This compares to non-GAAP breakeven in the same period last year. Fiscal year 2008 non-GAAP net income was $9.0 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $13.5 million, or a net loss of $0.95 per diluted share, in fiscal year 2007.*

“We are pleased with our performance during fiscal year 2008,” said Giovanni Barbarossa, Interim CEO of Avanex. “The company’s focus is to expand our margins, dramatically improve our execution in new product development and strengthen our relationships with key customers.”

Q1 FY 2009 Outlook

The company expects revenue to be between $44 million and $48 million and gross margin to be between 20 to 23 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2009, ending September 30, 2008.

Investor Conference Call

Avanex will host a conference call to discuss fiscal year 2008 fourth quarter and year-end results at 1:30 p.m. PST today. Investors are invited to listen to a live broadcast of the conference call via webcast, which can be accessed by visiting the Avanex Investor Relations website at http://investor.avanex.com/events.cfm. Investors can also listen to the conference call by dialing 913-312-1268 and entering access ID number 6479892.

A replay of the call will be available through an archived webcast at http://investor.avanex.com/events.cfm. An audio replay will be available through 12 AM eastern daylight time on August 28, 2008 and can be accessed by dialing 888-203-1112 and entering access ID number 6479892.

About Avanex

Avanex Corporation is a leading global provider of Intelligent Photonic Solutions(TM) to meet the needs of fiber optic communications networks for greater capacity, longer distance transmissions, improved connectivity, higher speeds and lower costs. These solutions enable or enhance optical wavelength multiplexing, dispersion compensation, switching and routing, transmission, amplification, and include network-managed subsystems. Avanex Corporation was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Fremont, Calif. Avanex Corporation also maintains facilities in Horseheads, N.Y.; Melbourne, Fla.; Shanghai, China; Villebon Sur Yvette, France; San Donato, Italy; and Bangkok Thailand. To learn more about Avanex Corporation, visit our web site at:www.avanex.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements including statements regarding expected first quarter of fiscal 2009 outlook and future operating results and our strategies. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include general economic conditions, the pace of spending in the telecommunications industry and in particular the optical networks industry, market demand and price of our products, the company’s

ability to sufficiently anticipate market needs and develop products and enhancements that achieve market acceptance, unanticipated costs and expenses or the inability to identify expenses which can be eliminated, any slowdown or deferral of orders for products or the application of accounting or tax principles in an unanticipated manner.

Finally, please refer to the risk factors contained in the company’s SEC filings including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on Sept. 7, 2007, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 2, 2008 and subsequent filings with the SEC.

Avanex assumes no obligation and does not intend to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

* Non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share exclude share-based compensation expenses, gain from legal settlement, amortization of intangibles, restructuring charges (recovery), gain (loss) on disposal of property and equipment, gain (loss) on sale of subsidiary, the operating expenses associated with this subsidiary until the closing, due diligence expenses relating to abandoned acquisition activity, and arbitration expenses. Details on the items excluded from non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share are available in the table entitled, “Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss),” following the accompanying financial statements.

Contact Information:

Investor Relations

Brooke Deterline

510 897-4188

IR@Avanex.com

Avanex Corporation

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

In thousands

(Unaudited)

	June 30, 2008			March 31, 2008			June 30, 2007
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	14,839		$	11,184		$	14,837
Restricted cash		3,776			3,757			3,620
Short-term investments		40,590			38,758			28,942
Accounts receivable, net		39,032			41,072			33,764
Inventories		16,572			15,624			15,188
Due from related party		85			61			14,381
Other current assets		6,629			6,680			5,716
Total current assets		121,523			117,136			116,448
Property and equipment, net		7,688			7,736			5,900
Intangibles, net		314			370			559
Goodwill		9,408			9,408			9,408
Other assets		2,870			2,758			2,685
Total assets	$	141,803		$	137,408		$	135,000
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	33,255		$	30,662		$	32,549
Accrued compensation		6,396			5,499			6,091
Accrued warranty		626			700			873
Other accrued expenses and deferred revenue		6,568			7,105			10,940
Current portion of long-term obligations		13			10			9
Current portion of accrued restructuring		2,940			2,518			2,837
Total current liabilities		49,798			46,494			53,299
Long-term liabilities:
Accrued restructuring		5,043			6,144			8,269
Other long-term obligations		1,520			1,762			1,350
Total liabilities		56,361			54,400			62,918
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock		15			15			15
Additional paid-in capital		784,492			783,340			776,112
Accumulated other comprehensive income		1,285			1,295			1,064
Accumulated deficit		(700,350	)		(701,642	)		(705,109	)
Total stockholders’ equity		85,442			83,008			72,082
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	141,803		$	137,408		$	135,000

Avanex Corporation

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - GAAP

In thousands, except for per share data

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended									Year Ended
	June 30, 2008			March 31, 2008			June 30, 2007			June 30, 2008			June 30, 2007
Net revenue:
Third parties	$	51,748		$	49,523		$	35,362		$	189,821		$	151,380
Related parties		74			33			15,736			18,273			61,375
Total net revenue		51,822			49,556			51,098			208,094			212,755
Cost of revenue:
Cost of revenue except for purchases from related parties		34,634			33,241			38,971			142,958			174,059
Purchases from related parties		449			220			28			991			491
Total cost of revenue		35,083			33,461			38,999			143,949			174,550
Gross profit		16,739			16,095			12,099			64,145			38,205
Operating expenses:
Research and development		6,981			7,012			7,511			28,371			25,231
Sales and marketing		4,230			4,407			3,779			16,754			15,261
General and administrative:
Third parties		4,669			4,621			3,469			18,745			22,663
Related parties		—			—			—			—			615
Amortization of intangibles		56			55			664			771			2,703
Restructuring		137			32			(17	)		(164	)		1,511
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment		(24	)		1			(484	)		(23	)		(527	)
(Gain) loss on sale of subsidiary		—			(1,996	)		3,216			(1,996	)		3,216
Total operating expenses		16,049			14,132			18,138			62,458			70,673
Income (loss) from operations		690			1,963			(6,039	)		1,687			(32,468	)
Interest and other income		1,049			1,439			(71	)		4,100			2,292
Interest and other expense		(70	)		(68	)		889			(152	)		35
Income (loss) before income taxes		1,669			3,334			(5,221	)		5,635			(30,141	)
Income tax benefit (provision)		(377	)		2			(464	)		(876	)		(464	)
Net income (loss)	$	1,292		$	3,336		$	(5,685	)	$	4,759		$	(30,605	)
Basic net income (loss) per common share	$	0.08		$	0.22		$	(0.38	)	$	0.31		$	(2.16	)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share	$	0.08		$	0.22		$	(0.38	)	$	0.31		$	(2.16	)
Weighted-average number of shares used in computing:
Basic net income (loss) per common share		15,321			15,294			15,044			15,242			14,196
Diluted net income (loss) per common share		15,330			15,301			15,044			15,370			14,196

Avanex Corporation

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS) TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS)

In thousands, except for per share data

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended									Year Ended
	June 30, 2008			March 31, 2008			June 30, 2007			June 30, 2008			June 30, 2007
Net income (loss), GAAP	$	1,292		$	3,336		$	(5,685	)	$	4,759		$	(30,605	)
Items reconciling GAAP net income (loss) to non-GAAP net income (loss):
Related to cost of revenue:
Share-based payments		197			213			257			1,051			1,110
(Gain) from legal settlement		(1,197	)		—			—			(1,197	)		—
Total related to cost of sales		(1,000	)		213			257			(146	)		1,110
Related to operating expenses:
Research and development - share-based payments		340			334			572			2,097			2,291
Sales and marketing - share-based payments		242			307			210			884			854
General and administrative - share-based payments		340			429			375			2,007			2,840
Amortization of intangibles		56			55			664			771			2,703
Restructuring:
Share-based payments		—			—			—			—			13
All other		137			32			(17	)		(164	)		1,498
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment		(24	)		1			(484	)		(23	)		(527	)
(Gain) loss on sale of subsidiary		—			(1,996	)		3,216			(1,996	)		3,216
Operating expenses for subsidiary until closing		—			—			941			—			941
Due diligence expenses related to abandoned acquisition activity		—			—			—			199			2,146
Arbitration expenses		251			171			—			606			—
Total related to operating expenses		1,342			(667	)		5,477			4,381			15,975
Total related to net income (loss)		342			(454	)		5,734			4,235			17,085
Non-GAAP net income (loss)	$	1,634		$	2,882		$	49		$	8,994		$	(13,520	)
Basic non-GAAP net income (loss) per common share	$	0.11		$	0.19		$	0.00		$	0.59		$	(0.95	)
Diluted non-GAAP net income (loss) per common share	$	0.11		$	0.19		$	0.00		$	0.59		$	(0.95	)
Weighted-average number of shares used in computing:
Basic non-GAAP net income (loss) per common share		15,321			15,294			15,044			15,242			14,196
Diluted non-GAAP net income (loss) per common share		15,330			15,301			15,044			15,370			14,196