Coherent Corp (COHR) Scores Big on AI Optics – Why Analysts Are Turning Bullish

We recently published a list of 12 AI News and Analyst Ratings You Probably Missed. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Coherent Corp. (NYSE:COHR) stands against other AI news and analyst ratings you probably missed.

The fast-paced advancement and adoption of AI raises questions about its regulation, impact on human capabilities, and global competition. While some fear AI may reduce critical thinking, others, like Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and partner at Greylock, see it as a tool for improving human potential when used thoughtfully. In a March 24 interview with Bloomberg, he emphasized the importance of responsible development, advocating for safeguards against major risks while allowing AI to evolve through real-world applications. Hoffman also highlighted the role of significant industry leaders in shaping AI’s future and acknowledged the economic competition between the West and China, stressing the need for continued innovation and strategic leadership.

The Role of AI in Expanding Human Potential

Hoffman believes that AI serves as a powerful tool for expanding human capabilities rather than replacing critical thinking. He described it as one of the most advanced educational technologies ever created, allowing users to explore a vast range of topics interactively. While concerns exist that AI might discourage independent thought, he argued that it can instead improve problem-solving skills when used as a complement to human intelligence.

Hoffman also acknowledged AI bias and agreed that complete neutrality is difficult, as human perspectives constantly evolve. However, he pointed out that leading AI labs are actively working to reduce biases in their models. He compared AI’s transformative impact to the Industrial Revolution, emphasizing that while such advancements bring challenges, they also lead to widespread progress. He believes AI should be designed to boost human agency and be broadly accessible, similar to how smartphones are used by people from all walks of life. He said:

“So your Uber driver has the same iPhone that Tim Cook has, that’s the kind of inclusion that we’re targeting.”

AI Governance and Leadership In a Shifting Global Landscape

On the regulation side, Hoffman advocates for a cautious approach, recommending that initial restrictions focus on preventing serious threats like cybercrime and terrorism rather than minor inaccuracies or biases. He supports an iterative regulatory model, where adjustments are made based on real-world applications, much like how car safety regulations evolved.

When the discussion moved to AI leadership, he credited Sam Altman with driving OpenAI’s success and praised other major figures like Kevin Scott (Microsoft), Dario Amodei (Anthropic), and James Manyika (Google) for their collaborative approach to AI development. When asked about Elon Musk’s influence, Hoffman differentiated between the risks entrepreneurs take in business and those that governments must manage, emphasizing that national stability requires more cautious decision-making.

While discussing China’s role in AI, Hoffman believes there is an ongoing economic competition between the West and China, with the Chinese government aiming to lead in AI by 2030. While some compare this to an arms race, he sees it primarily as an economic rivalry, where maintaining technological leadership is crucial for global competitiveness. He called the current competition “the economic race.”

For this article, we selected AI stocks by reviewing news articles, stock analysis, and press releases. We listed the stocks in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment taken from Insider Monkey’s Q4 database of over 1000 hedge funds.

At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).

Coherent Corp. (NYSE:COHR)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 71

Coherent Corp. (NYSE:COHR) develops and supplies engineered materials, optoelectronic components, and laser systems for industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets.

On March 24, Raymond James analyst Simon Leopold upgraded Coherent (NYSE:COHR) and Lumentum Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LITE) from Outperform to Strong Buy after insights from Nvidia’s GTC and Corning’s analyst meetings. The analyst revised his price target on COHR stock to $91 from $110 and trimmed his price target on LITE stock to $82 from $96. The firm believes concerns about Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) are exaggerated. It has revised its datacom optical model, forecasting $22.2 billion in AI backend transceiver sales by 2030, with a ~30% annual growth rate. Its 2027 estimate for AI backend revenue increased to $7.5 billion from $7.1 billion.

Nvidia’s Blackwell orders suggest stronger near-term 800G demand, with projections of 15 million units in 2025. Additionally, the optical telecom market is showing signs of recovery, and industrial lasers appear to be stabilizing. With Coherent and Lumentum stocks under pressure ahead of the OFC trade show, greater clarity on CPO could serve as a positive catalyst.

Overall, COHR ranks 2nd on our list of AI news and analyst ratings you probably missed. While we acknowledge the potential of COHR as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than COHR but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.