10 Best Fiber Optics Stocks to Buy for the AI Data Center Boom

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6. Ciena Corporation (NYSE:CIEN)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 73

Ciena Corporation (NYSE:CIEN) is one of the Best Fiber Optics Stocks to Buy for the AI Data Center Boom. On June 4, 2026, Ciena reported fiscal second-quarter revenue of $1.57 billion, up 40% year over year, and raised its fiscal 2026 revenue outlook to $6.3 billion, plus or minus $100 million, implying 32% growth at the midpoint. The optics-specific data point was the mix: Networking Platforms generated $1.27 billion, or 81.1% of revenue, while Optical Networking alone contributed $1.10 billion.

CEO Gary Smith tied the quarter to Ciena’s strategy across wide-area networks and “in and around the data center,” saying it was aligned with multi-year opportunities created by AI-driven demand. The company also guided fiscal third-quarter revenue to $1.625 billion, plus or minus $50 million. That keeps the story focused on AI bandwidth needs, where fiber, optical systems, and interconnects are becoming more important beyond the GPU layer as operators upgrade high-speed links.

Ciena Corporation (NYSE:CIEN) provides high-speed networking systems, software, and services for communications service providers, cloud operators, governments, and enterprises. Its portfolio includes optical networking platforms, routing and switching products, automation software, and data center interconnect solutions.

While we acknowledge the potential of CIEN to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some other AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than CIEN and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Fiber Optics Stocks to Buy for the AI Data Center Boom.

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