Celestica(US:CLS) ZACKS·2025-05-02 15:20Core Insights - Celestica Inc. (CLS) has significantly outperformed the industry and peers, with a stock price increase of 98.8% over the past year compared to the industry's 36.4% growth [1] - The company has a strong focus on AI applications, leveraging over 25 years of manufacturing experience to provide advanced data storage and networking solutions [2] Performance and Growth - The ongoing generative AI boom has driven demand for Celestica's AI/ML compute and networking products, particularly from hyperscale customers [3] - Celestica's high-performance 800G network switches and scalable storage solutions are essential for AI applications, enhancing its market position [3] - Earnings estimates for 2025 have increased by 5.7% to $5.05, and for 2026 by 2.4% to $6.07, indicating positive growth expectations [6] Financial Guidance - The company has raised its revenue guidance for 2025 to $10.85 billion from $10.7 billion, with an expected non-GAAP operating margin of 7.2% [7] - Non-GAAP adjusted earnings are projected to be $5 per share, up from a previous estimate of $4.75 [7] Challenges and Competition - Despite strong growth, Celestica faces high operating expenses due to sophisticated product development, which has impacted margins [8] - The company competes with major players like Foxconn, Jabil, and Flex, as well as smaller regional firms, in a highly cyclical semiconductor industry [9] - Persistent weakness in the ATS segment and elevated inventory levels in industrial markets are hindering net sales growth [9] Future Outlook - Management anticipates demand stabilization in the first half of 2025, although macroeconomic challenges remain a concern [12] - As production scales and costs decrease, the potential applications for silicon photonics are expected to expand across various industries [13] - The stock has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 7.4% and a favorable Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting potential for further appreciation [14]