Corning (GLW)
Corning (GLW) is a materials-science company whose Optical Communications segment makes the optical fiber, cable, and connectivity that wire data centers and carrier networks. In ETFpedia it represents the Optical Networking & Photonics concept, because AI data-center demand drove that segment up 36% in the first quarter of 2026, to about 42% of company revenue.
| Ticker | GLW |
|---|---|
| Exchange | NYSE |
| Sector | Technology · Optical Fiber & Materials |
| Country | United States |
| Held by ETF | KODEX US AI Optical Communication Network ETF (0173Y0) |
| Last updated | 2026-06-04 |
Next event:Next earnings · Q2 2026, estimated · Date is estimated (sources range late July to early August); confirm on Corning IR. Last report: Q1 2026 on 2026-04-28. (source)
Latest reported quarter:Q1 2026 (ended Mar 31, 2026) (reported2026-04-28)
Corning reported core sales of $4.35 billion, up 18% year over year, with core EPS of $0.70 (up 30%), led by an Optical Communications segment that grew 36% on AI data-center demand.
| Core sales | $4.35B+18%YoY · GAAP sales $4.14B |
|---|---|
| Core EPS | $0.70+30%YoY |
| GAAP EPS | $0.43 |
| Core operating margin | 20.2% · +220 bps YoY |
| Optical Communications revenue | $1.846B · ~42% of sales, +36% YoY |
Revenue by segment
| Optical Communications | $1,846M · ~42%of revenue+36% YoY |
|---|---|
| Glass Innovations | $1,420M+1% YoY |
| Automotive | $437M-1% YoY |
| Solar | $370M+80% YoY |
| Life Sciences & Emerging Growth | $272Mflat YoY |
Guidance:Q2 2026
| Core sales | ~$4.6B · ≈ +14% YoY |
|---|---|
| Core EPS | $0.73–$0.77 |
Springboard plan (May 2026): targets a $40B annualized run-rate by end-2030, with a new Photonics platform aimed at $10B of revenue by 2030.
Recent & upcoming events
- · Up-to-$6B Meta fiber agreement.Multi-year deal to supply optical fiber-optic cable for Meta's AI data centers, worth up to $6 billion. (source)
- · Q1 2026 results: Optical up 36%.Core sales $4.35B (+18%), core EPS $0.70 (+30%); Optical Communications led on GenAI demand. (source)
- · Springboard plan upgraded and extended.Raised the growth plan to a $40B run-rate by 2030 and launched a Photonics platform targeting a $10B revenue stream. (source)
Corning reports 'core sales' and 'core EPS' (non-GAAP); GAAP Q1 2026 sales were $4.14 billion.
Figures are as of 2026-06-03 and reflect the most recent public filings/IR releases; they are updated after each earnings report.
What does Corning do?
Corning is a diversified materials-science company, but the part that matters for AI is Optical Communications: the optical fiber, cable, and connectivity hardware that physically links servers within data centers and connects those data centers to carriers. Its other businesses span display glass, automotive, solar, and life sciences. Optical was about 42% of Q1 2026 sales and is the fastest-growing piece (Corning, Apr 28, 2026).
How is AI driving Corning’s business?
Every AI cluster needs more fiber, both inside the building and between sites, and Corning is the largest maker of it. Optical Communications grew 36% year over year in Q1 2026, and in January 2026 Corning signed a deal worth up to $6 billion to supply fiber-optic cable for Meta’s AI data centers (Corning). In May 2026 it raised its multi-year “Springboard” plan and launched a photonics platform aimed at a new revenue stream.
In our new Photonics MAP, we plan to build a $10 billion revenue stream by 2030.
— Wendell P. Weeks, Chairman & CEO, Corning (Springboard update, May 6, 2026)
What did Corning report most recently?
In Q1 2026 (the quarter ended March 31, 2026), Corning reported core sales of $4.35 billion, up 18% year over year, with core EPS of $0.70, up 30%, and core operating margin of 20.2% (Corning). On a GAAP basis, sales were $4.14 billion and EPS was $0.43.
What is Corning’s guidance?
For Q2 2026, Corning guided core sales to about $4.6 billion and core EPS to $0.73–0.77 (Corning). Its upgraded Springboard plan targets a $40 billion annualized run-rate by the end of 2030.
Why is Corning part of optical networking?
Fiber is the physical layer that all the lasers and transceivers in the Optical Networking & Photonics theme ultimately light up. Corning makes that fiber and the connectors around it at scale, so as AI clusters multiply, its optical business compounds with them.
What are the risks for Corning?
- Customer concentration in optical. Large AI customers like Meta drive the fastest-growing segment; a capex pause would slow it.
- Diversified drag. Glass and automotive are roughly flat, so growth leans heavily on Optical and Solar.
- Execution. The Springboard targets are aggressive and depend on capacity and margin keeping pace.
- Policy exposure. Solar’s surge is sensitive to subsidies and trade policy.
Related securities, concepts & terms
- AI Infrastructureparent
- Optical Networking & Photonicsparent
- Ciena (CIEN)sibling
- Fabrinet (FN)sibling
Related indices & ETFs
- KODEX US AI Optical Communication Network ETF (0173Y0) · Samsung Asset Management (KODEX)Korea-listed ETF tracking the Akros U.S. AI Optical index, the AI-optical-networking theme.
Frequently asked questions about Corning
What does Corning do?
Corning is a materials-science company. Its Optical Communications segment makes optical fiber, cable, and connectivity for data centers and carriers, and it also makes display glass, automotive components, solar materials, and life-sciences products. Optical was about 42% of Q1 2026 sales.
When does Corning report its next earnings?
Corning is expected to report Q2 2026 results in late July or early August 2026 (estimates vary). The date is not yet company-confirmed, so check investor.corning.com. It last reported Q1 2026 on April 28, 2026.
What was Corning's latest quarterly revenue?
Corning reported core sales of $4.35 billion in Q1 2026 (the quarter ended March 31, 2026), up 18% year over year, with core EPS of $0.70, up 30%, and core operating margin of 20.2% (up 220 bps). Optical Communications led at +36% and Solar surged 80%, while GAAP sales were $4.14 billion.
What is Corning's guidance?
For Q2 2026, Corning guided core sales to about $4.6 billion and core EPS to $0.73–0.77. Its longer-term Springboard plan targets a $40 billion annualized run-rate by 2030, including a Photonics platform aimed at $10 billion of revenue.
Why is Corning an AI optical networking play?
Corning makes the optical fiber and connectivity that physically wire AI data centers and link them to carriers. AI demand drove its Optical Communications segment up 36% year over year in Q1 2026, and it signed a deal worth up to $6 billion to supply Meta's AI data centers.
Sources & references
- Corning announces strong first-quarter 2026 financial results · Corning Incorporated, 2026-04-28
- Corning upgrades and extends Springboard plan, outlines new phase of growth · Corning Incorporated, 2026-05-06
- Corning and Meta announce multiyear, up-to-$6 billion agreement to accelerate US data-center buildout · Corning Incorporated, 2026-01-27
- Corning Incorporated · investor relations and events · Corning Incorporated, 2026-06-02
- NYSE listed company information · GLW · New York Stock Exchange, 2026-06-02