Corning (NYSE:GLW) reported a powerful start to 2026, with first-quarter core sales climbing 18% to $4.35 billion and core EPS surging 30% to $0.70 compared to the prior-year period.
The results were primarily propelled by an explosion in demand for generative AI products and the successful scaling of the company’s new solar offerings.
The Optical Communications segment emerged as a primary growth engine, posting a 36% year-over-year revenue increase.
Highlighting the critical role of Corning’s technology in the AI revolution, the company announced it has entered into large, long-term agreements with two additional hyperscale customers.
These deals are reportedly similar in scale and duration to the previously announced $6 billion multiyear agreement with Meta, focusing on the United States-based manufacturing of critical technologies for next-generation AI data centers.
Corning’s solar segment also delivered standout performance, with sales rising 80% year-over-year.
While the company expects continued momentum, second-quarter guidance includes a planned $30 million expense for an extended maintenance shutdown at its solar wafer facility.
This period will be used to transition to a permanent power system and upgrade equipment to increase throughput in future quarters.
Looking ahead, management provided an optimistic outlook for the second quarter, projecting core sales of approximately $4.6 billion—a 14% year-over-year increase—and core EPS in the range of $0.73 to $0.77.