VIAV

Viavi Solutions (VIAV) has surged 268.5% over the past year, significantly outperforming its industry peers. The company's growth is driven by strong AI data-center demand, improved profitability with non-GAAP operating margins expanding 630 basis points to 20.6%, and the Spirent acquisition which enhanced testing capabilities. For fiscal Q1, management projects revenues of $450M-$460M and non-GAAP EPS of 40-42 cents, indicating continued momentum.

Viavi Solutions launched the CyberFlood CF50, a compact 1U platform for testing application performance, security, and AI inference at speeds up to 100G. The solution offers industry-leading low power consumption, post-quantum cryptography support, and TLS performance 1.75x faster than competitors. VIAV stock has surged 229.6% over the past year and currently holds a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating.

Keysight Technologies introduced the FITS-16CH digital-layer error performance validation system with doubled channel capacity for testing optical and copper interconnects in data centers, supporting 800G and emerging 1.6T technologies with automated tuning capabilities. Viavi Solutions strengthened its testing solutions for AI infrastructure and next-generation wireless networks with the CyberFlood CF50 platform.

Vistance Networks advanced broadband networking with Comcast field trials of its next-generation DOCSIS 4.0 node platform. Cadence Design Systems enhanced its AI-based chip design solutions through ChipStack AI platform upgrades and collaboration with TSMC.

Viavi Solutions has been selected by the U.S. Army to supply its T/Rx software-defined transceiver system for modernizing military test ranges. The platform will create realistic electromagnetic environments for testing drones, counter-drone systems, and low-cost interceptors, replicating contested battlefield conditions. The company's technology was previously used at Camp Grayling to recreate electronic warfare conditions observed in Ukraine.

The Zacks Communication - Components industry is positioned for long-term growth driven by 5G deployment, IoT adoption, and fiber network expansion. Despite near-term headwinds including elevated inventory levels and margin erosion, Ciena Corp., Viavi Solutions Inc., and Ooma Inc. are well-positioned to benefit from increasing demand for scalable network infrastructure and cloud connectivity solutions.

The Zacks Communication - Components industry is positioned for long-term growth driven by 5G deployment, IoT adoption, and fiber network expansion. However, elevated inventory levels, high capital expenditure, margin erosion, and geopolitical conflicts present near-term challenges. Three companies—Ciena, Viavi Solutions, and Ooma—are highlighted as well-positioned to benefit from increasing demand for scalable infrastructure.

Onto Innovation (ONTO), a semiconductor metrology and inspection solutions provider, has earned a top Zacks Rank rating driven by explosive AI infrastructure demand. The company reported Q2 2026 revenue of $343.1 million (35.3% YoY growth) with expanding margins and strong EPS guidance.

Multiple analysts raised price targets to $360-$400, citing tailwinds from advanced packaging, HBM demand, and the Dragonfly G5 platform ramp. A strategic $710 million investment in Rigaku Holdings for hybrid metrology capabilities further strengthens its competitive position.