-- AI Is Making This Glass Maker One of the Year's Hottest Stocks [Stocks End Week Higher After Tariff Ruling, Economic Data][Supreme Court Strikes Down Most Of Trump's Tariffs][Economy Grew Far Less Than Expected in Q4][Inflation Was Hot to End 2025]- Top StoriesCorning makes fiber optic cables for use in the data centers powering the AI boom.Travis Dove / The Washington Post / Getty ImagesClose### Key Takeaways- The stock achieved its first record high since 2000 earlier this year.- Corning shares have so ...

Group 1 - Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) experienced an 18.3% increase in share prices week-on-week, reaching an all-time high due to strong earnings and a new partnership with Meta Platforms Inc [1] - The company reported a net income of $1.596 billion for 2024, up from $506 million, and net sales increased by 19% to $15.6 billion from $13.1 billion year-on-year [2] - In Q4, net income rose by 26% to $540 million from $310 million, while net sales grew by 3% to $4.2 billion from $3.5 billion [2] Group 2 - Corning raised its net sales growth outlook through 2028 to $11 billion in incremental annualized sales, up from a previous guidance of $8 billion [3] - For the current year, the target for incremental annualized sales is now $6.5 billion, an increase from the earlier outlook of $6 billion [3] - The company’s growth strategy is part of the "Springboard plan," aimed at driving growth from 2023 to 2028 [3] Group 3 - Corning secured a $6 billion partnership with Meta for the supply of fiber optic cables for data centers, which is expected to create 15 to 20 percent of new jobs [4]

We recently published 10 Big Names With Easy 10-30% Gains. Corning Inc. (NYSE:GLW) was one of the best performers on Tuesday. Corning soared to a new all-time high on Tuesday after clinching a $6 billion deal with Meta Platforms Inc. for the supply of fiber optic cables for its data centers, while investors loaded positions ahead of its earnings performance. At intra-day trading, the stock surged to its highest price of $113.99 before paring gains to finish the session just up by 15.58 percent at $109.7 ...

Group 1 - Corning reported a 26% increase in earnings to 72 cents per share for Q4, exceeding estimates [1] - The company struck a significant $6 billion deal with Meta, which contributed to the positive earnings report [1] - Following the announcement, Corning's stock experienced a rally, breaking out on Tuesday before paring some gains on Wednesday morning [1] Group 2 - Corning specializes in optical communications, including fiber optic cables, display technologies, and consumer electronics components [1] - The deal with Meta is expected to enhance Corning's position in the fiber-optic market, aligning with industry trends towards increased demand for high-speed internet and connectivity solutions [1]

Group 1 - Morgan Stanley analyst Meta Marshall raised the price target on Corning Incorporated (GLW) to $98 from $82 while maintaining an Equal Weight rating [1] - The AI trade is expected to broaden beyond semiconductor names in 2025, benefiting infrastructure companies tied to optical technology, with momentum likely extending into the first half of 2026 [2] - Corning is positioned at the center of the shift towards optical technology, supplying fiber optic cables that enhance data transmission speed and efficiency, crucial for AI-driven systems [3] Group 2 - Corning reported total revenue of $4.27 billion for Q3 2025, a 14% increase year-over-year, with the optical communications segment contributing $1.65 billion, reflecting a 33% year-over-year growth [4] - Within the optical communications segment, enterprise demand surged, with revenue from enterprise optical products increasing by 58%, primarily driven by AI-related investments [5]

Core Viewpoint - Corning's business is thriving, particularly in the specialty glass sector, with a notable 84% increase in stock value over the past year, driven by demand in data centers and mobile consumer electronics [2][15][16] Company Performance - Corning is recognized for its specialty glass products, including fiber optic cables essential for data centers, contributing to its booming business [2][4] - The company has experienced significant growth, particularly in its data center segment, which is currently its fastest-growing business [4][11] - Corning's stock has risen by 84% in the last 12 months, reflecting strong market performance [2] Data Center Innovations - The data center segment is expected to grow further as the industry shifts from copper to optical fiber, which is more efficient for connecting AI clusters [4][6] - A notable example is Meta's Louisiana campus, which requires 8 million miles of fiber, enough to circle the Earth 320 times, highlighting the scale of fiber demand [7][8] - The transition to glass in data centers could lead to lower energy consumption and costs, although significant innovation is still needed [10][12] New Business Ventures - Corning is expanding into solar energy with plans to establish a large American-made ingot wafer plant in Michigan, which could triple its current solar business run rate [14] - The solar sector is becoming increasingly competitive, with government policies influencing energy costs [15] Resilience Against Tariffs - Corning's business has shown resilience against tariffs, with 90% of its US revenue generated from domestically produced products, minimizing the impact of international trade policies [16]

Group 1 - Corning's stock has increased by 12% over seven consecutive days, adding approximately $7.6 billion to its market cap, which now stands at around $64 billion [2] - Year-to-date, Corning's stock has risen over 60%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 11% gain [2] - The surge in Corning's stock is largely attributed to the AI boom, with a recent UBS upgrade highlighting the company's potential growth driven by demand for fiber optic cables used in AI infrastructure and data centers [3] Group 2 - Corning's Enterprise business within its Optical Communications division reported an 81% year-over-year increase in sales, primarily due to products utilized in generative AI [3] - The current stock performance raises questions about whether it is still a good time to buy or if investors should consider selling [4] - Monitoring stock momentum can help investors capitalize on trends, although sharp advances can reverse quickly [5]

Company Overview - Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ:PLPC) develops and supplies infrastructure hardware and systems for energy, telecommunications, and data networks, including fiber optic cables, connectors, insulators, protective closures, and motion control devices [2] - The company also provides drone inspection services, solar framing, and EV-related products, serving utilities, communication providers, contractors, and government agencies [2] Market Position - The stock is perceived as undervalued despite strong performance, trading at a discount compared to peers in the industrial sector [1] - The company is involved in the construction of data centers, which has led to multiple stocks in this sector trading at a discount [1] Investment Considerations - While PLPC shows potential as an investment, certain AI stocks are suggested to offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk [3]

Core Viewpoint - Brookfield Infrastructure is presented as an ideal investment for those seeking a combination of high dividend yield and rapid growth, currently offering a 4.3% yield while maintaining a strong growth trajectory in dividend payments [3]. Company Overview - Brookfield Infrastructure operates a diverse portfolio of utility, energy, transport, and data-related assets, which are essential for daily operations across various sectors [5]. - Approximately 85% of the company's funds from operations (FFO) are derived from regulated utility businesses and long-term contracts, making it a reliable income source for investors [6]. Dividend Growth - The company has consistently raised its dividend by 8% annually over the past 12 years, with the latest payout ratio at 68% of FFO, indicating a sustainable growth in dividend payments [7][8]. - Adjusted for foreign exchange, the second-quarter FFO increased by 9% year-over-year, aligning with the company's long-term growth expectations [8]. Growth Opportunities - Brookfield Infrastructure benefits from its parent company, Brookfield Asset Management, which has raised $97 billion in capital over the past year, providing ample opportunities for asset acquisition [10]. - The company recently acquired 5,500 miles of pipelines with a capacity of 2.5 million barrels per day, expecting to recoup its investment within seven years [11]. - Brookfield Infrastructure has a capital recycling program, successfully selling developed assets, such as a stake in its U.K. ports operation for $385 million, yielding a 19% internal rate of return [12]. Management and Strategy - With access to around 2,500 investment professionals from Brookfield Asset Management, the company is well-positioned to navigate the alternative-asset landscape and achieve growth within the expected range of 5% to 9% [13].