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PLTR vs. COHR: Which AI-Driven Tech Stock Has More Upside?
ZACKS· 2025-08-26 18:16
Core Insights - Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and Coherent Corp. (COHR) are significant players in the AI and data infrastructure sectors [1] Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) - Palantir specializes in enterprise-level AI software, focusing on data integration, large-scale analytics, and decision-making platforms [2] - The company's core platforms, including Palantir Gotham, Foundry, and Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP), enable organizations to leverage data for real-time decision-making [2] - In Q2 2025, U.S. commercial revenues increased by 93% to $306 million, while U.S. government business rose by 53% to $426 million, indicating strong growth [4] - AIP allows clients to integrate autonomous AI agents into workflows, enhancing decision-making speed and productivity [5] - AIP bootcamps have accelerated client adoption, reducing time-to-value and receiving positive feedback for user-friendliness and scalability [6] - Total U.S. commercial contract value grew by 222% year-over-year in Q2, with remaining deal value increasing by 145% to $2.79 billion [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PLTR indicates a projected sales growth of approximately 46% and EPS growth of 59% year-over-year [16] Coherent Corp. (COHR) - Coherent reported a 51% revenue increase for fiscal 2025, driven by the demand for AI infrastructure in data centers and communications [8] - The data center segment alone surged by 61%, reflecting the global demand for high-bandwidth optical solutions [8] - Coherent's strategy includes ramping up new products, such as 1.6T transceivers, which are expected to significantly contribute to revenue in fiscal 2026 [9] - The company has expanded its indium phosphide (InP) capacity by 3X year-over-year, enhancing its manufacturing capabilities [10] - Coherent's revenues in communications rose by 42% year-over-year in Q4 fiscal 2025, driven by the adoption of high-speed coherent transceivers [14] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for COHR indicates a projected sales growth of about 9% year-over-year and EPS growth of 29% [19] Valuation Comparison - COHR is trading at a forward P/E ratio of 18.93X, below its 12-month median of 28.04X, suggesting potential undervaluation [23] - In contrast, PLTR has a much higher forward P/E ratio of 202.65X, although still below its median of 267.56X [23] Investment Outlook - Palantir's rapid revenue growth and expanding U.S. commercial contracts position it favorably for near-term upside in the AI sector [24] - Coherent, while essential for AI hardware infrastructure, exhibits steadier growth that is more dependent on hardware cycles [24]
COHR Stock Gains 14% in 3 Months: Is This a Buying Opportunity?
ZACKS· 2025-08-19 17:01
Core Insights - Coherent Corp.'s stock price has increased by 13.9% over the past three months, outperforming the industry average of 12% and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite's growth of 9.3% [1][7] - The company reported a significant revenue increase of 51% for fiscal 2025, primarily driven by a 61% surge in the data center market [5][7] - Coherent Corp. is developing new products, including 1.6T and 3.2T transceivers, and has increased its indium phosphide capacity by three times year-over-year to meet rising demand [6][8] Financial Performance - In the year-to-date period, Coherent Corp. experienced a 4.5% decline, contrasting with Microvast's 28% rise and Vimeo's 35.6% decline [4] - The company has a forward P/E ratio of 19.02, which is lower than the industry average of 25.94, and an EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 11.98 compared to the industry's 36.38 [12] - Coherent Corp. has a return on equity (ROE) of 12.2%, significantly higher than the industry's 6%, and a return on invested capital (ROIC) of 6.1%, compared to the industry's -9.1% [15] Market Growth and Future Prospects - The company expects fiscal 2026 revenues to reach $6.7 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 9.7%, with further growth of 13.8% anticipated for fiscal 2027 [20] - Analysts have revised EPS estimates upward for both fiscal 2026 and 2027, reflecting confidence in the company's performance [21] - Coherent Corp. has secured a multi-year agreement with Apple for new Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser products, expected to contribute to revenue in the second half of 2026 [10] Product Development and Strategic Initiatives - The company began initial revenue shipments of its Optical Circuit Switch (OCS) in fiscal 2025, with the global OCS market projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.6% from 2025 to 2030 [9] - Revenue from communications increased by 42% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, driven by demand for high-capacity coherent transceivers [11] - Coherent Corp. is taking significant steps in co-packaged optics-related technologies, which are expected to provide cost and volume advantages [8]