Catch pre-market movers with AI signals.
Can Corning's Long-Term Fiber Deal With Verizon Boost Its Shares?
Corning Incorporated GLW has entered into a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar agreement with Verizon Communications Inc. VZ to support the expansion of broadband networks and next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. The partnership spanning more than three decades further strengthens Corning’s role in the optical communications market.
Per the deal, CorningGLW-- will supply more than 80 million miles of high-density optical fiber and connectivity solutions from 2027 through 2032 for Verizon’s nationwide broadband expansion, supporting connectivity for residential customers, businesses and mobile networks. It also includes high-capacity fiber for long-haul network corridors connecting data centers, where growing AI workloads are driving demand for faster and higher-bandwidth connectivity.
The company’s Contour Flow Cable, a flexible ribbon-cable solution, enables significantly more optical fiber to be deployed within existing conduit pathways, allowing VerizonVZ-- to expand network capacity and improve infrastructure efficiency. The agreement is expected to support Corning’s U.S. manufacturing expansion as it scales production to meet growing demand for optical fiber and connectivity solutions.
As network operators and technology companies invest in higher-capacity connectivity, Corning is well positioned to benefit from the convergence of telecommunications and AI infrastructure spending, which supports its long-term growth prospects.
How Are Competitors Focusing on Fiber?
Corning faces competition from Amphenol Corporation APH and Lumen Technologies, Inc. LUMN. Amphenol is expanding its fiber-optic capabilities to meet rising demand from AI and data-center infrastructure. The company is seeing strong growth in its IT datacom business, supported by increasing demand for high-speed fiber-optic and interconnect solutions. Amphenol is developing advanced optical technologies, including 12.8 Tb/s solutions, to support higher bandwidth and next-generation AI systems.
Lumen is strengthening its fiber network to meet rising demand for AI and data-center connectivity. The company is developing new high-capacity fiber routes to support growing data traffic between AI data centers and major cloud hubs. Lumen is expanding its cloud-networking capabilities to help enterprises connect AI workloads across data centers, clouds and business locations.
Corning's Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Shares of Corning have rallied 124.8% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 164.6%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, the company’s shares currently trade at 42.46 forward 12-month earnings, higher than the industry tally of 37.73.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings estimates for Corning for 2026 have increased 2.5% to $3.27, while the same for 2027 have risen 1.7% to $4.28 over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Corning currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Corning Incorporated (GLW): Free Stock Analysis Report
Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report
Amphenol Corporation (APH): Free Stock Analysis Report
Lumen Technologies, Inc. (LUMN): Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
Zacks is the leading investment research firm focusing on equities earnings estimates and stock analysis for the individual investor, including stock picks, stock screening, portfolio stock tracker and stock screeners. Copyright 2006-2026 Zacks Equity Research, Inc. editor@zacks.com (Manaing editor) webmaster@zacks.com (Webmaster)
