Jabil Rises 58% in a Year on Secular Growth Drivers: Worth Buying Now?

Core Insights - Jabil, Inc. (JBL) has experienced a stock price increase of 58.1% over the past year, underperforming compared to the industry growth of 97.6% and peers like Celestica Inc. (CLS) which surged 206.2% [1][8] Group 1: Company Performance - Jabil's revenue for fiscal 2026 is projected to reach $32.4 billion, an increase from the previous estimate of $31.3 billion, with earnings per share (EPS) raised to $11.55 from $11.00 [10][8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Jabil's fiscal 2026 earnings has increased by 12.4% to $11.55 per share, indicating positive sentiment regarding the stock's growth potential [13] Group 2: Growth Drivers - Jabil is expected to benefit from growth in AI data center infrastructure, capital equipment, and warehouse automation markets, alongside the rapid adoption of 5G wireless and cloud computing [6][10] - The company's focus on end-market and product diversification is a key growth catalyst, aiming for no single product or product family to exceed 5% of operating income or cash flows in any fiscal year [5] Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - Jabil has reorganized its internal structure to align operations with specific end markets, aiming to develop domain-specific expertise and enhance responsiveness to market demands [9] - The company is positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities in sectors such as AI data center hardware, power and energy infrastructure, and healthcare, supported by strong margins and robust free cash flow [16][17] Group 4: Technological Advancements - Jabil's optical modules, developed in collaboration with Intel Corporation, are designed to enhance performance in AI/ML applications, promising significant improvements in data transmission efficiency and reliability [12][11] - The company's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology positions it as a strategic partner in the AI/ML ecosystem, enhancing its competitive edge [11]