Guolian Minsheng Securities·2026-02-03 00:25Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive investment rating for the fiber optic sector, indicating a favorable outlook for companies involved in this industry [4]. Core Insights - The fiber optic industry is entering a demand upcycle driven by AI data center construction, leading to a supply-demand imbalance and increased prices for fiber optic products [10][14]. - Major companies like Corning have secured significant contracts, such as a $6 billion order from Meta for fiber optic cables, highlighting the growing demand in the sector [29]. - The report emphasizes the importance of high-speed networking equipment, particularly in AI applications, which require advanced fiber optic solutions to meet performance standards [3][38]. Summary by Sections 1. Fiber Optic Demand Surge - The fiber optic and cable industry is experiencing a new development phase with tight market supply and increased demand due to AI data center construction [14]. - The supply side has faced years of capacity clearing, while the demand side is driven by the construction of AI data centers, leading to a significant increase in fiber optic demand [10][15]. 2. Market Review - The communication sector has shown strong performance, with the fiber optic segment outperforming other areas [18][20]. - The fiber optic index has seen a notable increase, reflecting the sector's robust growth compared to broader market indices [20]. 3. Industry News - Meta's capital expenditure for 2026 is projected at $135 billion, indicating strong investment in technology and infrastructure [27]. - Corning reported record sales and earnings for 2025, with expectations for continued growth in 2026 [28]. 4. Company News - Companies like Hengtong Optic-Electric and Yangtze Optical Fibre have reported significant profit increases, with Hengtong's net profit expected to grow by 77.39% to 112.87% in 2025 [30][31]. - Other firms, such as Shijia Photon, anticipate substantial profit growth, indicating a positive trend across the industry [32]. 5. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on companies within the fiber optic supply chain, such as Yangtze Optical Fibre and Hengtong Optic-Electric, as well as those in the liquid cooling sector [38]. - The ongoing demand from AI applications is expected to drive further price increases in fiber optics, making it a key area for investment [38].