GLW Stock Today: January 04 – Cramer’s Fiber Push Puts AI Optics in Focus
GLW stock is in focus after Jim Cramer spotlighted Corning’s push to replace copper with glass in AI data centers. Investors see a clear link to rising data center optics demand. Recently, GLW stock closed at $90.67, up $3.11 or 3.55%, within a $88.14 to $90.72 intraday range and below its $96.64 52-week high. Shares trade above the 50-day average of $86.44 and the 200-day of $65.37. With AI capex strong, the story centers on throughput, power savings, and total cost versus copper.
Cramer’s Fiber Push and What It Means for Corning
Cramer highlighted that hyperscalers want faster, cooler, and more efficient links between racks. That favors fiber-based data center optics where Corning leads in fiber and components. He framed glass as a better medium than copper for AI-scale networks, reinforcing investor attention on optical growth drivers. See his remarks for context here source.
GLW stock recently finished at $90.67, up 3.55% on the day, with volume of 4.59 million versus a 6.58 million average. The share price sits above its 50-day $86.44 and 200-day $65.37 trend markers, with a 52-week range of $37.31 to $96.64. ATR at 2.64 shows moderate daily swings as enthusiasm for AI optics meets valuation debate.
Morgan Stanley kept Equal Weight with a $98 target, citing optical upside but balanced risks source. UBS is more bullish at $109 with a Buy. Across coverage, there are 12 Buys and 1 Hold, a positive tilt. Targets span $52 to $110, with an $83.5 median and $83.35 consensus, which trails the current price.
Glass vs Copper: Implications for Data Center Optics
Fiber delivers higher bandwidth and longer reach with lower signal loss than copper. That supports dense AI clusters where power and heat budgets are tight. Fewer repeaters and more efficient links reduce energy use per bit. As switch speeds move to 400G and 800G, data center optics based on fiber become the practical path.
Fiber can cost more to deploy, but it scales better at high speeds and distances. Lower attenuation and smaller cabling help cooling and airflow. Over time, glass-based links can lower total cost per gigabit and simplify upgrades to new speeds. This aligns with GLW stock sensitivity to long-lived infrastructure spending.
Key risks include pricing pressure as volumes rise, supply constraints on critical components, and timing of 800G to 1.6T transitions. Competing architectures like co-packaged optics could shift value capture. Hyperscaler capex can be cyclical, which may pressure orders. Execution in Optical Communications remains central for GLW stock.
Valuation, Earnings Setup, and Key Metrics
At $90.67, GLW trades at 58.09x EPS of $1.56, 5.18x sales, and 6.72x book. EV/EBITDA stands near 24.6. Free cash flow per share is $1.35, implying a P/FCF near 66.7. Margins are solid with 35.69% gross and 13.41% operating. The setup assumes durable optics growth, so any slowdown could challenge the multiple.
Debt to equity is 0.80 with interest coverage of 6.21 and a 1.56 current ratio. Dividend yield is about 1.24% on $1.12 per share, with a 72.69% payout ratio. Revenue grew 4.21% last year, while EPS dipped 14.93% as mix and costs weighed. GLW stock needs margin expansion to support both capex and dividends.
Corning’s next earnings are scheduled for 2026-01-28 at 13:30 UTC. Watch Optical Communications growth, large customer orders, pricing, and 400G to 800G adoption signals. Updates on capital intensity, inventories, and backlog quality matter. Any commentary on glass vs copper economics could steer GLW stock into 2026.
Technical Picture for Traders
RSI at 57.82 sits in neutral territory. MACD is 0.95 versus a 0.96 signal, near flat, with a slightly negative histogram. ADX at 16.55 suggests a weak trend. The Awesome Oscillator is positive at 2.91. Overall, the tape leans constructive but not overheated, consistent with GLW stock consolidating gains.
Bollinger Bands show a middle band at 88.84 and upper at 94.04. Keltner midline sits at 88.17. Recent low at 88.14 marks first support, then the 50-day at 86.44. Resistance appears near 94 and the 96.64 52-week high. ATR of 2.64 frames typical daily risk.
Trend-followers may prefer pullbacks toward 88 to 86 with tight risk controls, aiming at 94 to 96 if momentum improves. A close above 96.64 could open room to new highs. A break below 86.44 would caution that the advance is tiring. This is not advice, just a framework for GLW stock.
Final Thoughts
GLW stock is benefiting from a clear theme: fiber beats copper for high-speed, power-aware AI networks. Cramer’s spotlight adds attention, while targets from $98 to $109 show room if execution stays strong. The flip side is valuation. At 58x earnings and a high P/FCF, the story needs sustained orders, better mix, and solid cash generation. Into earnings on Jan 28, 2026, we would focus on Optical Communications growth, 800G traction, pricing discipline, and capex plans. For investors, patience on pullbacks and close watch on margins make sense. For traders, respect the 88 to 86 support and 94 to 96 resistance. Always size positions to risk.
FAQs
Jim Cramer said glass-based fiber is better suited than copper for AI-scale data centers because it delivers higher speed and lower power per bit. That aligns with growing demand for data center optics. His view put a spotlight on GLW stock as investors assess long-term fiber adoption.
GLW stock bridges both. Corning is a materials company, but its Optical Communications segment sells fiber, cables, and hardware that serve cloud and AI data centers. The AI link is through faster, more efficient interconnects. Execution in optics and the pace of hyperscaler capex drive the AI sensitivity.
Fiber glass supports much higher bandwidth and longer distances with lower signal loss than copper. It can reduce power and cooling needs by enabling efficient links and fewer repeaters. While fiber may carry higher upfront costs, it often lowers total cost per gigabit over time and simplifies upgrades to faster speeds.
GLW trades near 58x earnings and about 66x free cash flow, with price to sales around 5. Those are rich multiples that assume durable growth in optics. If orders or margins slow, the stock could compress. Strong optical growth and cash generation would help support the current valuation.
Corning reports on 2026-01-28 at 13:30 UTC. Watch Optical Communications revenue, orders, pricing, and comments on 400G to 800G deployments. Investors should also track margins, inventories, and capital plans, since these will shape cash flow and guide how GLW stock trades into 2026.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
