Is Corning Stock Outperforming the Nasdaq?

Is Corning Stock Outperforming the Nasdaq?

Mon, September 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM GMT+3 2 min read

• GLW +0.11%
• ^IXIC -0.76%

Headquartered in Corning, New York, Corning Incorporated (GLW) is a global materials-science company that develops advanced glass, ceramics and optical technologies used across communications, consumer electronics, displays, automotive and life sciences. Its best-known products include optical fiber and connectivity solutions, Gorilla Glass for smartphones and other devices, precision display glass, emissions-control products and laboratory technologies.

With a market cap of approximately $143.3 billion, Corning sits comfortably in the "large cap" league, a club reserved for companies worth more than $10 billion. Its competitive strengths stem from its deep materials-science expertise, proprietary technologies, strong customer relationships and leadership in high-performance glass and optical products. Its diversified presence across communications, electronics, automotive and life sciences also provides multiple avenues for growth.

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Despite its notable feats, GLW stock is currently trading 38.8% below its 52-week high of $271.78 reached on June 30. GLW has pulled back 5.8% over the past three months, even as the Nasdaq Composite ($NASX) gained 2% during the same time frame.

But that short-term dip does little to overshadow the stock's remarkable longer-term run. Corning shares have surged 120.5% over the past year, compared with a 19.5% gain for the Nasdaq. Moreover, GLW has climbed 90% in 2026, far outpacing the index's 13.3% rise.

The stock's technical setup also remains strong, with shares holding above their 200-day moving average for the past year and recently moving above their 50-day moving average, indicating an uptrend.

Corning is steadily shedding its reputation as a cyclical consumer-electronics supplier and emerging as a key infrastructure player in the AI and broadband boom. On Sept. 8, Corning shares jumped 8.7% after the company secured a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar supply agreement with Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) through 2032. Under the deal, Corning will provide more than 80 million miles of optical fiber and connectivity solutions to support Verizon's broadband expansion and growing AI infrastructure demands.

This latest Verizon pact adds to a growing roster of major commitments with tech giants, including Meta Platforms (META), Amazon Web Services and NVIDIA (NVDA), strengthening Corning's optical communications business and providing greater visibility into future demand.

The comparison with rival Amphenol Corporation (APH) makes Corning's outperformance even more striking. While Amphenol has gained 40.5% over the past 52 weeks and 24.2% year to date, GLW has delivered a far stronger advance, leaving its peer's returns well behind.

Wall Street's optimism suggests Corning's strong run may still have room to continue. Among the 15 analysts covering GLW, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy." The average price target of $190.20 implies 14.3% upside from current levels.

On the date of publication, Kritika Sarmah did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com