Corning Stock And Other AI Hardware Names Leveraged To Data Center Optical Demand

Money is pouring into AI hardware again, with Fractile’s roughly $700m UK backed funding round and fresh chip orders from Anthropic reminding investors that capital and ambition are still chasing the same theme. That kind of frenzy can pull related stocks higher, or expose fragile stories. This piece walks through three AI semiconductor and data center hardware stocks linked to that news so you can decide which deserve a closer look.

The stocks covered below are just a sample, and the full screen surfaced 49 more U.S. and U.K. AI semiconductor and data center hardware companies with similarly interesting stories that are not detailed in this article.

To go beyond the short list here, head straight into the AI Semiconductor and Data-Center Hardware Stocks screener to identify, compare, and analyze the highest conviction ideas that fit your own criteria.

Corning (GLW)

Overview: Corning supplies optical fiber, cables, connectivity hardware and specialty glass that underpin telecom networks, AI data centers and consumer electronics.

Operations: Corning generates about $8.0b from Optical Communications and $1.8b from Automotive, with additional segment adjustments totaling $8.3b.

Market Cap: $106.2b

Corning matters in this screener because its fiber and optical hardware help move the huge volumes of data AI data centers constantly push around.

AI driven data center buildouts are expected to increase optical content per GPU by 1.3x to 1.5x by 2028. This supports the possibility that Corning's Enterprise optical revenue and segment net margins continue to grow faster than GPU deployments through the decade.

For investors, what really counts is how one unresolved pressure on future orders, pricing and capacity decisions ultimately lands on margins.

That margin story is only half the picture. Read the full narrative for Corning to see how Corning’s AI demand, pricing power and risks could be decoupling.

Coherent (COHR)

Overview: Coherent builds lasers, optical modules and photonic devices that link AI data centers at high speed and power advanced chip manufacturing.

Operations: Coherent generates about US$5.3b from Datacenter & Communications and US$1.9b from Industrial, with intersegment eliminations reducing reported totals slightly.

Market Cap: US$41.4b

Coherent matters for this AI hardware screen because its optics sit in the traffic lanes between GPUs, where faster links unlock more useful computing.

The ongoing expansion of AI datacenter infrastructure and high-performance computing is propelling structural growth in demand for advanced optical transceivers (800G, 1.6T, and beyond), optical circuit switches, and related photonics components, which is fueling robust sequential order growth and sustained revenue momentum in Coherent's datacom and communications business.

What happens to Coherent’s earnings profile depends on how one unseen pressure on pricing power and capital intensity shapes those future optics contracts.

That hidden trade off is the real story, and the full narrative for Coherent shows how accelerating AI demand, capital strain and pricing power could all be pulling in different directions.

Keysight Technologies (KEYS)

Overview: Keysight Technologies provides electronic design, test and simulation tools that help build and validate high performance chips and AI ready data center hardware.

Operations: Keysight generates about US$4.7b from its Communications Solutions Group and US$1.9b from its Electronic Industrial Solutions Group.

Market Cap: US$52.3b

Keysight Technologies matters in this AI hardware screen because its test platforms and software effectively act as the measuring gear for ultra fast chips and data center systems that need to work together reliably at scale.

Adoption of AI across digital infrastructure is now visible in Keysight Technologies reporting, with commercial communications delivering its first US$1b quarter and wireline revenue surpassing wireless in Q3 2026.

What happens to Keysight’s earnings power depends on how one unresolved shift in AI driven test demand and software mix ultimately filters through margins.

That shift in mix is the real hinge, and the full narrative for Keysight Technologies shows how accelerating AI demand, software leverage, and test complexity could reshape Keysight Technologies earnings profile.

Seeking Alternatives Before The Crowd?

Fresh stories can move fast when momentum builds and the window for a clean entry quickly narrows. Consider potential breakouts while they are still under the radar and evaluate whether they fit your strategy.

• Target reliable cash generators that still trade with room to move by scanning the list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (24 results) before the crowd catches on.
• Spot potential income workhorses with payouts that matter by reviewing the 5 dividend fortresses while yields and prices still look aligned.
• Explore emerging AI trends without only focusing on mega caps by using the 39 AI small caps while these stories are still building momentum.

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