New York, Jan 18, 2026, 19:16 EST — Market closed.
- Shares of Coherent ended Friday at $191.04, slipping 2.5%.
- U.S. markets will remain closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Investors are eyeing SPIE Photonics West, running Jan. 20–22, alongside Coherent’s upcoming earnings report slated for Feb. 4.
Coherent Corp shares closed Friday down 2.5% at $191.04, after reaching a high of $201.93 and dipping to $189.59 during the session. 1
U.S. stock markets remain closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, pushing the break through Tuesday’s open. This pause gives traders a moment to digest a flood of company reports that hit the tape late last week. 2
Coherent faces tricky timing. SPIE Photonics West’s show, a key event for optics and laser vendors, runs Jan. 20–22 in San Francisco—and it kicks off the same day the market reopens. 3
On Friday, Coherent announced the launch of a germanium-free electro-optic modulator, a key part that switches laser pulses in CO2 lasers used for semiconductor “via drilling.” The company positioned it as a solution to the tight germanium supply, with senior vice president Steve Rummel highlighting it as “removing dependence on scarce materials at a time when supply security is critical.” 4
Coherent rolled out its AxioView imaging fiber assemblies aimed at optical coherence tomography and near-infrared spectroscopy—key for tissue imaging in catheter-based devices. “Reliability, scalability, and regulatory readiness are critical,” said Dr. Stefan Ruppik, the company’s global vice president and general manager. The new product line is set to make its debut this month at Photonics West. 5
Coherent announced it made Forbes’ 2026 America’s Best Companies list. CEO Jim Anderson described the recognition as “a testament to our people.” Meanwhile, Chief People Officer Grace Lee added, “Our people are at the heart of everything we do.” 6
Coherent, headquartered in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, supplies lasers, optical components, and related equipment to sectors ranging from semiconductors to industrial systems and medical devices. What moves the needle are product updates tied to actual orders, not merely lab demonstrations.
Investors keep coming back to the chip angle. Via drilling creates tiny connections through layers in advanced semiconductor packaging. Tool makers focus on speed, precision, and part availability at this stage. Even a slight sign that supply constraints are loosening or that performance improves can shift buying plans.
But launches don’t guarantee orders. Demand for semiconductor tooling can shift sharply with capital spending, while medical device platforms usually require time to qualify. Both factors can delay revenue gains by quarters rather than weeks.
When trading picks up Tuesday, investors will be eyeing if COHR can hold steady after Friday’s slide and if the early buzz from Photonics West turns into real customer deals, partnerships, or product momentum beyond just press releases.
The next major event is the earnings report. Nasdaq data indicates Coherent will release results on Feb. 4. Investors will be watching closely for updates on demand, margins, and whether the new product launches are reflected in the backlog. 7
