Corning (NYSE:GLW) Releases Q1 2026 Earnings Guidance

Corning (NYSE:GLW) updated its first quarter 2026 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 0.660-0.700 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 0.670. The company issued revenue guidance of $4.2 billion-$4.3 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $4.2 billion.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Corning from $82.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $109.00 target price (up previously from $100.00) on shares of Corning in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Wall Street Zen raised Corning from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Citigroup increased their price objective on Corning from $99.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on Corning from $65.00 to $83.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $96.42.

Corning Price Performance

Shares of GLW stock opened at $109.67 on Wednesday. Corning has a 52 week low of $37.31 and a 52 week high of $113.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $94.03 billion, a PE ratio of 69.41, a PEG ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.56. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $88.50 and its 200-day moving average is $79.29.

Corning (NYSE:GLW) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The electronics maker reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.66 by $0.01. Corning had a return on equity of 18.12% and a net margin of 9.16%.The business had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.24 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.54 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 20.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Corning will post 2.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other Corning news, EVP Lewis A. Steverson sold 23,142 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $89.05, for a total value of $2,060,795.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 17,575 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,565,053.75. The trade was a 56.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Edward A. Schlesinger sold 20,893 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.25, for a total transaction of $1,906,486.25. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 66,959 shares in the company, valued at $6,110,008.75. The trade was a 23.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 0.32% of the company’s stock.

Corning News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Corning this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Meta agreed to buy up to $6 billion of fiber‑optic cable from Corning through 2030, anchoring large, multiyear demand from a major hyperscaler and materially increasing revenue visibility for Corning’s optical‑fiber business. Meta Enters Up to $6 Billion Data-Center Fiber-Optic Cable Deal With Corning
• Positive Sentiment: Corning reported record Q4 and full‑year 2025 results (core sales and core EPS up strongly) and upgraded its Springboard plan to target faster sales growth — signaling improved profitability and stronger execution entering 2026. Corning Announces Outstanding 2025 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management forecasted first‑quarter sales above analysts’ estimates, citing resilient demand for optical fiber — the product line that generates roughly 40% of Corning’s revenue — which supports near‑term top‑line upside. Corning forecasts first-quarter sales above estimates on strong optical fiber demand
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage from outlets like Forbes and Investopedia highlights the AI/data‑center tailwind (and the Meta deal) as the reason for the stock jump and new 52‑week highs — this drives momentum but also raises expectations for future execution. Corning Stock’s AI Surge: After The Meta Blockbuster, Is GLW Still A Buy?
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and momentum risk: commentators (including Jim Cramer) warned the stock may be extended after the rally, suggesting investors could face a pullback or should wait for a better entry — monitor P/E and margin trends as multiples are elevated versus history. Jim Cramer on Corning

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GLW. Polar Capital Holdings Plc grew its position in shares of Corning by 141.2% during the 3rd quarter. Polar Capital Holdings Plc now owns 4,011,153 shares of the electronics maker’s stock worth $329,035,000 after buying an additional 2,348,125 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership bought a new stake in shares of Corning during the 3rd quarter valued at $185,221,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Corning by 93.0% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 3,407,608 shares of the electronics maker’s stock valued at $179,206,000 after purchasing an additional 1,641,558 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Corning by 197.7% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,922,585 shares of the electronics maker’s stock worth $100,782,000 after purchasing an additional 1,276,708 shares during the period. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its holdings in Corning by 267.3% in the second quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 1,453,531 shares of the electronics maker’s stock valued at $76,441,000 after purchasing an additional 1,057,788 shares during the last quarter. 69.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Corning Company Profile

Corning Incorporated is a global manufacturer specializing in specialty glass, ceramics and related materials and technologies. Headquartered in Corning, New York, the company supplies engineered materials and components used across multiple industries, including consumer electronics, telecommunications, automotive emissions control, pharmaceutical and life sciences, and industrial and scientific applications. Corning emphasizes materials science and precision manufacturing to develop durable, high-performance glass and ceramic products.

Key product lines include specialty display glass used by television and mobile-device manufacturers, cover glass marketed under well-known trade names for smartphones and tablets, and optical fiber and cable and related hardware for telecommunications networks.