CLS vs. SANM: Which EMS Stock is a Better Investment Right Now?

Industry Overview - The electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry is rapidly evolving and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.06% due to factors such as digital transformation, AI data center expansion, consumer electronics, IoT markets, 5G adoption, and automotive innovation [1] Company Profiles Sanmina Corporation - Sanmina is a global provider of electronics contract manufacturing services, focusing on engineering and fabricating complex components and offering complete end-to-end supply chain solutions [2] - The company emphasizes strengthening technology leadership and a customer-focused approach as key elements of its long-term growth strategy [4] - Sanmina's comprehensive portfolio includes product design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and aftermarket support, allowing customers to rely on a single partner throughout the product lifecycle [5] - The company has a strong liquidity position, with a current ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-capital ratio of 10.6%, which is significantly lower than the EMS industry average of 37.9% [8][15] Celestica Inc. - Celestica primarily serves original equipment manufacturers and cloud-based service providers, offering a wide range of manufacturing and supply-chain solutions [3] - The company is experiencing strong growth in the AI data center market, with a 43.2% year-over-year sales increase in the Connectivity & Cloud Solutions segment [11][12] - However, Celestica's Advanced Technology segment saw a decline of 4.1% year-over-year, primarily due to elevated inventory levels in industrial end markets [13] - Celestica's current ratio is 1.47, indicating it is well-positioned to meet short-term obligations, but its quick ratio of 0.88 suggests potential challenges in fulfilling these obligations without selling inventory [15] Financial Performance - In the third quarter, Sanmina generated $1.247 billion in revenues from Industrial & Energy, Medical, Defense & Aerospace, and Automotive markets, a slight decrease from $1.253 billion [7] - Celestica generated $126.2 million in cash from operations, up from $122.8 million year-over-year, with free cash flow increasing by 15.7% [14] - Sanmina's full-year sales are expected to grow by 72.24%, while Celestica's sales are projected to grow by 26.34% [16][18] Market Position and Valuation - Over the past year, Celestica's share price has increased by 280.1%, while Sanmina's has risen by 105% [18] - From a valuation perspective, Sanmina appears more attractive, trading at a price/earnings ratio of 16.45 compared to Celestica's 42.36 [19] - Both companies hold a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong demand across multiple verticals and resilience amid macroeconomic challenges [21]