3 AI-Powered EMS Stocks to Buy for 2026 Despite Solid Returns in 2025

Industry Overview - The electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry is currently ranked in the top 3% of the Zacks Industry Rank, indicating strong performance and potential for growth [1] - The industry has delivered a remarkable 98.1% return over the past year and an astonishing 105.9% year-to-date return, suggesting it is expected to outperform the market in the next three to six months [2] Company Highlights Celestica Inc. (CLS) - Celestica is one of the largest EMS companies globally, focusing on high-value markets and product diversification, which is supported by strong R&D capabilities [7][8] - The company is experiencing robust growth in its Connectivity & Cloud Solutions segment, particularly in its Hyperscaler Portfolio Solutions and optical programs, driven by increasing demand for 800G and 400G network switches [9] - For 2025, Celestica anticipates revenues of approximately $12.2 billion, up from a previous estimate of $11.55 billion, with expected non-GAAP adjusted earnings of $5.90 per share [12] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Celestica are 31.4% and 39%, respectively, for the next year, with a 15.6% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings [13] Jabil Inc. (JBL) - Jabil is a leading global supplier of EMS solutions, benefiting from strong momentum in capital equipment, AI-powered data center infrastructure, and digital commerce [14][15] - The company plans to invest $500 million to expand its manufacturing capabilities for the AI data center vertical, enhancing its position in the AI hardware supply chain [17] - Jabil's projected revenues for fiscal 2026 are $32.4 billion, with expected non-GAAP earnings per share of $11.55 and over $1.3 billion in adjusted free cash flow [22] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Jabil are 8.8% and 18.5%, respectively, for the current year, with a 4.5% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year's earnings [23] Sanmina Corp. (SANM) - Sanmina is a global provider of electronics contract manufacturing services, focusing on complex components and end-to-end supply chain solutions across various industries [24] - The company is benefiting from strong demand in communications networks, cloud, and AI infrastructure, with a vertically integrated manufacturing process that streamlines operations and reduces costs [25][26] - For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Sanmina expects revenues between $2.05 billion and $2.15 billion, with non-GAAP earnings per share estimated between $1.95 and $2.25 [28] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for Sanmina are 72.2% and 59.6%, respectively, for the current year, with a 38.9% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year's earnings [29]