

A fresh Buy rating from StoneX is pulling optical networking stocks higher, and Lumentum Holdings (NASDAQ:LITE | LITE Price Prediction) is out in front. Lumentum stock is up 8% to $819.

Applied Optoelectronics holds an edge over Cerebras in the AI infrastructure race, backed by surging optical demand, capacity expansion, and a stronger earnings outlook.

Optical networking stocks that powered the AI data-center trade this year are falling fast, and the selling is landing on the group's biggest names at once. Coherent (NYSE:COHR | COHR Price Prediction) stock is trading at $209.

Applied Optoelectronics collapsed while its revenue set records, and two analysts still see it nearly tripling from here. The gap between that optimism and the stock's brutal reality comes down to one upcoming shipment window.

Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI) stock jumped 5% to $79.01 on Monday as optics names advanced ahead of upcoming earnings reports. Lumentum (NASDAQ:LITE | LITE Price Prediction) shares rose 4% to $856.18, while Coherent (NYSE:COHR) stock climbed 2% to $236.93.

Applied Optoelectronics stock dropped over 23% this week amid broader fears of slowing artificial intelligence infrastructure spending. Concerns about major technology companies facing capital constraints are hitting optical networking component suppliers across the industry.

SUGAR LAND, Texas, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAOI) ("AOI"), a leading provider of advanced optical and HFC networking products that power AI, today announced that it will release financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2026, on Thursday, November 5, 2026. AOI will host a conference call and webcast for analysts and investors to discuss its third quarter 2026 financial results and outlook for its fourth quarter 2026 at 4:30 p.m.

Optical suppliers tied to the artificial intelligence (AI) data center buildout are extending their slide as money shifts into defensive sectors. Applied Optoelectronics (NASDAQ:AAOI) stock is down 6% to $80.97 in early trading, leading the group lower.