New York, Feb 20, 2026, 10:44 EST — Regular session.
- Lumentum shares jumped roughly 4% in morning trading, hitting a new intraday high.
- Money’s been shifting toward “AI infrastructure” plays, pushing up stocks tied to optics and networking.
- A regulatory filing revealed a senior executive unloaded shares through a pre-arranged trading plan.
Lumentum Holdings Inc. climbed 4.3% to $662.99 Friday morning, hitting $664.15 at its session peak and ranging from $626.67 to $664.15 so far. Shares kicked off at $638.00, with around 1.5 million changing hands by mid-morning.
This shift is drawing attention: Lumentum has turned into something of a high-beta stand-in for data center and networking investment tied to AI. As cracks show up in big tech’s AI rally, investors are sifting through suppliers—hunting for those likely to see cash flow early.
Some U.S. investors are shifting out of AI giants and putting money into infrastructure names linked to capital spending, like optical communications company Lumentum, Reuters said late Thursday. “That’s where the revenues are right now,” BlackRock’s Jay Jacobs told the outlet. But Glenmede’s Michael Reynolds flagged AI valuations as “getting a bit rich.” (Reuters)
Executive Vice President Vincent Retort unloaded 3,441 shares on Feb. 17, according to a filing, with the trades executed in the open market at weighted averages between roughly $530.80 and $557.84. The Form 4 notes these sales happened under a Rule 10b5-1 plan—a pre-set trading arrangement. Afterward, Retort’s stake stood at 95,975 shares. (Securities and Exchange Commission)
Lumentum shares have rallied since that “beat-and-raise” quarter back in early February, driven by a solid top- and bottom-line showing. For its fiscal second quarter, the company posted $665.5 million in revenue. Looking ahead, Lumentum projected third-quarter revenue between $780 million and $830 million, with non-GAAP diluted EPS pegged in the $2.15 to $2.35 range. CEO Michael Hurlston commented, “Revenue hit the high end of our guidance range.” (Lumentum Investor Relations)
Two products keep hitting the bull thesis: optical circuit switches—used for routing light signals right inside the data centers—and co-packaged optics, tech that pushes optical parts nearer to chips for better speeds and lower power needs. The big question for investors now is whether orders will actually hold up, since hyperscalers are scrutinizing every dollar.
The bar’s now set high after the stock’s sharp climb. If AI buildouts start to lose steam, backlog conversion drags, or margins slip, this trade could turn on a dime—with insiders still unloading shares through scheduled sales.
Lumentum’s comments at a string of investor events are in focus, with the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference webcast on March 2 now circled on calendars, according to the company. (Business Wire)
