Core Insights - The AI megatrend is benefiting not only major players like Nvidia and hyperscalers but also companies involved in the infrastructure for AI, particularly optical components suppliers [1][2][3] Industry Overview - The global optical components market is valued at approximately $287.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $628.8 billion by 2032, indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2% [3] - Optical components are essential for enabling faster data movement and lower power consumption, which are critical for scaling AI technologies [3] Company Spotlight: Coherent Corp. (COHR) - Coherent Corp. is a global technology company established in 1971, focusing on photonics, optical materials, devices, lasers, and compound semiconductors [5] - The company has a market capitalization of $21.9 billion and has seen its stock price increase by 60% year-to-date [6] - Coherent has consistently met earnings estimates over the past two years, with Q1 2025 revenues of $1.58 billion, reflecting a 17% year-over-year increase, and earnings of $1.16 per share, representing a 73.1% annual growth [7]

Core Insights - Corning Incorporated (GLW) and Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET) are positioned to benefit from the growth in AI data centers, with Corning being a leader in glass substrate technology and Arista excelling in Ethernet switches and routers [1][2][3] Corning (GLW) - Corning is experiencing improved demand and commercialization of innovations, particularly in fiber optic solutions, driven by the increasing use of mobile devices and cloud computing [4][5] - The company has reorganized its operating structure into five Market-Access Platforms, enhancing efficiency and creating synergies across different markets [6] - However, Corning faces challenges due to limited end market diversification in its Display and Optical segments, which are heavily reliant on consumer spending [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Corning's 2025 sales indicates a year-over-year rise of 12.3%, with EPS growth projected at 27.6% [12] - Corning's stock has surged 69.2% over the past year, outperforming the industry [14] - The price/sales ratio for Corning is 3.88, significantly lower than Arista's 14.93, indicating a more attractive valuation [16] - Corning holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), suggesting it is a favorable investment option [17][18] Arista Networks (ANET) - Arista is a leader in 100-gigabit Ethernet switches and is gaining traction in higher-performance switching products, supported by its Arista 2.0 strategy [8][10] - The company aims to invest in core businesses, emphasize software-as-a-service, and enter adjacent markets to broaden its customer base [10] - Despite increased demand, Arista is facing high operating costs, with total operating expenses rising 13.8% to $452.4 million in Q2 2025 [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Arista's fiscal 2025 sales suggests a year-over-year growth of 26.7%, with EPS growth projected at 26.4% [12] - Arista's stock has gained 29.4% over the past year [14] - Arista carries a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating a more cautious investment outlook compared to Corning [17]