Prediction: This AI Infrastructure Stock Will Soar After Sept. 3 (Hint: It’s Not Broadcom)
The artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure juggernaut isn’t slowing down, as major hyperscalers and AI companies continue to invest aggressively in data centers to satisfy strong demand for AI services.
This explains why AI chip bellwether Nvidia reported phenomenal results for the second quarter of fiscal 2027, with its revenue jumping 106% year over year. The market cheered the company’s solid results, and Nvidia stock soared following its report.
Broadcom, another key AI chip supplier, will release its quarterly results after the market closes on Sept. 2. The company’s improving growth trajectory and the solid opportunity in custom AI processors and networking can help Broadcom deliver solid results. So, don’t be surprised to see Broadcom stock soar on Sept. 3 in the wake of its quarterly report.
However, there’s another high-flying AI infrastructure stock that’s going to release its quarterly results on Sept. 3. Ciena (CIEN -5.36%), which sells optical networking products, will report fiscal 2026 Q3 results on that day. The stock has already soared 62% this year, and there is a strong likelihood it will jump higher after its results. Let’s look at the reasons why.
Image source: Getty Images.
Ciena can deliver phenomenal results once again
Ciena has crushed Wall Street’s earnings expectations in each of the last four quarters. Investors can expect the trend to continue, as the demand for optical networking components has been going through the roof.
Today’s Change
(-5.36%) $-21.41
Current Price
$378.44
Key Data Points
Market Cap
Day’s Range
$376.64 – $400.50
52wk Range
$90.00 – $637.51
Volume
4.8K
Avg Vol
2.7M
Gross Margin
40.49%
Goldman Sachs predicts that the total addressable market (TAM) of optical components could jump from $15 billion this year to $154 billion in 2028. Ciena is benefiting from this trend. The company has guided for $1.62 billion in revenue for fiscal Q3, representing a 33% increase from the year-ago period.
Additionally, it expects a non-GAAP adjusted operating margin of 19%-20%, nearly double the year-ago period’s 10.7%. The terrific jump in Ciena’s revenue, along with healthy margin expansion, explains why its earnings are anticipated to increase by 157% year over year to $1.72 per share.
However, don’t be surprised to see Ciena outperforming Wall Street’s expectations. That’s because the demand for optical components has been exceeding supply, creating a shortage and resulting in higher prices. This explains the big jump that’s projected in Ciena’s margins. Not surprisingly, analysts expect Ciena’s earnings per share to double year over year in the current quarter.
However, its outlook could be better than expected, driven by exponential growth in optical component sales over the next couple of years.
It isn’t too late to buy this growth stock
Ciena trades at 47 times forward earnings. While that may seem expensive considering the Nasdaq-100 index’s forward earnings multiple of 24, investors shouldn’t forget the stunning earnings growth the company is clocking.
In fact, analysts have significantly increased their earnings growth expectations from Ciena this year, a trend that’s likely to continue.
Data by YCharts
Also, strong results and outlook from Ciena could send this AI stock higher and inflate its valuation. That’s why investors looking to capitalize on the next big bottleneck in AI infrastructure should consider buying its shares ahead of its earnings report.
