Corning Inc
Q1 2026 Earnings
Market Reaction
S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +6.29%.
Did GLW Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results
Corning posted a mixed but fundamentally solid first quarter of 2026, edging past earnings expectations while falling short on revenue, yet telling a growth story that kept investor attention squarely on the company's AI-driven momentum. The Corning, New York-based glassmaker reported GAAP EPS of $0.70, beating the $0.69 consensus by 1.21% and extending its streak of consensus EPS beats to four consecutive quarters, even as GAAP revenue of $4.14 billion came in 3.77% below the $4.31 billion estimate despite growing 20.1% year over year. The standout driver was Optical Communications, where sales surged 36% to $1.85 billion on soaring demand for AI data center connectivity products, with two additional hyperscale customers signing large, long-term supply agreements comparable in scale to the company's previously announced multiyear deal with Meta. Some analysts have raised questions about valuation given the stock's sharp run-up, but management's Q2 guidance for core sales of approximately $4.60 billion and core EPS of $0.73 to $0.77 signals continued confidence in the AI infrastructure buildout ahead.
- Robust demand for Gen AI products drove Optical Communications sales growth of 36% YoY
- Solar segment sales grew 80% YoY driven by ramp of new solar products
- Core operating margin expanded 220 basis points to 20.2%
- Core gross margin expanded 120 basis points to 39.1%
- Core ROIC expanded 190 basis points year over year to 13.5%
- Eighth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth
“Our strong first-quarter results continued the powerful trajectory of our Springboard plan. Versus Springboard's Q4-2023 starting point, we grew core sales 33% and core EPS 79%, and we expanded core operating margin and core ROIC by 390 basis points and 470 basis points, respectively. Additionally, we finalized two more hyperscaler deals similar in size and duration to our recently announced multiyear, up-to-$6 billion agreement with Meta. In total, we have powerful momentum across our Market-Access Platforms.”
Corning CEO, on the earnings call
Forward Guidance & Outlook
For Q2 2026, management expects core sales of approximately $4.6 billion, representing about 14% year-over-year growth, and core EPS of $0.73 to $0.77, representing about 25% year-over-year growth. Q2 guidance includes an additional $30 million of expense versus Q1 due to an extended maintenance shutdown at the solar wafer facility, including the transition to a permanent power system and equipment upgrades to increase future throughput. The solar module business is expected to cross over to profitability in Q2. Corning plans to upgrade and extend its Springboard plan through 2030 and introduce a new Photonics Market-Access Platform at the May 6 investor event.
GLW YoY Financials
GLW Revenue by Segment
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.