Corning (GLW) Surges 3.7% on AI Infrastructure Hype: Is This the Start of a New Bull Run?

Summary
• Corning (GLW) trades at $93.56, up 3.71% intraday on 2.95% turnover
• 52-week high of $96.64 looms as key resistance ahead of $94.96 intraday peak
• Analysts highlight AI data center demand as catalyst, with Q4 EPS guidance of $0.68–$0.72
• Options chain shows GLW20260123C89 and GLW20260123C90 as top liquidity leaders

Corning’s 3.7% rally on January 15, 2026, reflects surging demand for optical technologies in AI infrastructure. With the stock trading near its 52-week high and a dynamic PE of 56.97, the move aligns with broader sector optimism. Analysts point to Q3 revenue growth of 20.9% and institutional buying as tailwinds, while options activity suggests speculative positioning ahead of the January 23 expiration.

AI Data Center Demand and Earnings Beat Fuel Corning’s Rally
Corning’s 3.7% intraday surge stems from a confluence of factors: Q3 earnings beat by $0.01, 20.9% YoY revenue growth, and renewed investor confidence in AI infrastructure demand. The stock’s 95.53% one-year rally has positioned it as a key player in optical fiber solutions for data centers. Analysts at JPMorgan and UBS raised price targets to $100–$109, citing long-term AI tailwinds. Meanwhile, insider selling of 156,135 shares ($14M) contrasts with institutional buying by REAP Financial and Financial Management Professionals, signaling mixed sentiment.

Communication Equipment Sector Gains Momentum as CSCO Rises 1.9%
The Communication Equipment sector, led by Cisco Systems (CSCO) up 1.9%, is riding a wave of AI infrastructure investment. Corning’s 3.7% gain outperforms the sector’s broader rally, driven by its niche in optical fiber for data centers. While CSCO benefits from enterprise networking demand, Corning’s focus on AI-driven data transmission positions it as a more speculative play. The sector’s 1.25% Russell 2000 outperformance underscores growing investor appetite for tech-driven infrastructure stocks.

Options and ETF Plays for Corning’s AI-Driven Bull Run
• 200-day MA: $67.19 (far below) | 30D MA: $88.29 (below current price) | RSI: 52.55 (neutral)
• MACD: 0.47 (bullish) | Histogram: -0.057 (bearish divergence) | Bollinger Bands: $84.90–$91.49 (price above upper band)

Corning’s technicals suggest a short-term bullish trend with long-term upside potential. The stock is trading above its 30D and 200D moving averages, while RSI neutrality indicates no immediate overbought/oversold conditions. The MACD’s positive value contrasts with a bearish histogram, hinting at potential momentum slowdown. Key support/resistance levels at $87.77–$88.02 and $50.45–$51.58 (200D) frame the near-term outlook.

Top Options Picks:
• GLW20260123C89
- Type: Call | Strike: $89 | Expiry: 2026-01-23 | IV: 40.41% | Leverage: 17.05% | Delta: 0.807 | Theta: -0.310 | Gamma: 0.046 | Turnover: 13,895
- IV (40.41%): High volatility premium | Leverage (17.05%): Amplifies upside | Delta (0.807): Strong directional sensitivity | Theta (-0.310): Aggressive time decay | Gamma (0.046): High sensitivity to price swings
- This call option offers a 17.05% leverage ratio and 40.41% implied volatility, ideal for capitalizing on a 5% upside scenario (targeting $98.24). With 13,895 contracts traded, liquidity is robust. A 5% move would yield a 163% payoff (max(0, $98.24 - $89) = $9.24).

• GLW20260123C90
- Type: Call | Strike: $90 | Expiry: 2026-01-23 | IV: 36.25% | Leverage: 20.61% | Delta: 0.777 | Theta: -0.303 | Gamma: 0.056 | Turnover: 19,822
- IV (36.25%): Moderate volatility | Leverage (20.61%): Highest in chain | Delta (0.777): Strong directional bias | Theta (-0.303): High time decay | Gamma (0.056): High sensitivity to price swings
- This contract’s 20.61% leverage ratio and 36.25% IV make it a high-conviction play. A 5% upside scenario (targeting $98.24) would yield a 106.82% payoff (max(0, $98.24 - $90) = $8.24). With 19,822 contracts traded, liquidity is exceptional. Aggressive bulls should consider GLW20260123C90 into a bounce above $94.96 intraday high.

Backtest Corning Stock Performance
The backtest of GLW's performance after a 4% intraday surge from 2022 to now shows favorable results. The 3-Day win rate is 54.32%, the 10-Day win rate is 60.08%, and the 30-Day win rate is 59.69%, indicating a higher probability of positive returns in the short term. The maximum return during the backtest was 6.35% over 30 days, suggesting that GLW can offer decent gains even after the initial surge.

Corning’s AI-Driven Bull Run: Key Levels to Watch and Immediate Action Plan
Corning’s 3.7% rally is underpinned by AI infrastructure demand and institutional buying, but technical indicators suggest caution. The stock’s 52-week high of $96.64 and 200-day MA at $67.19 frame a critical test for sustainability. If GLW breaks above $94.96 intraday high, the GLW20260123C90 call option offers a high-leverage play. Conversely, a breakdown below $88.29 30D MA could trigger a retest of $84.90 Bollinger Band support. Sector leader Cisco (CSCO) rising 1.9% reinforces the sector’s strength, but Corning’s speculative positioning demands tighter risk management. Watch for $96.64 52-week high breakout or $88.29 30D MA breakdown to dictate next steps.