CLSTechnologyEMS / Hyperscaler Hardware·Sep 3, 2026·5 min read

[CLS] Celestica Thesis 2026: Hyperscale Power Systems Surge Defines New Business Identity

Celestica FY25 (Dec 31, 2025) at $12.61B revenue (+31%). NI $847M; EPS $7.29 (+102%); adj EPS $6.05 (+56%). Q4 CCS segment $2.86B (+64%); HPS sub-segment $1.4B (+72%). Q4 ATS 5.3% margin / CCS 8.4% margin. FY26 guide raised meaningfully: revenue $17B (+35%), adj EPS $8.75 (+45%), FCF $500M. CCS revenue ~50% growth FY26.

Celestica 2025-26: HPS +72%, FY26 Revenue $17B, Adj EPS $8.75

FY25 revenue $12.61B (+31%); Op income $1.09B (+82%); NI $847M (+98%); EPS $7.29 (+102%). Q4 CCS segment +64% (HPS +72%). Q4 ATS segment 5.3% margin / CCS 8.4% margin. FY25 adj EPS $6.05 (+56%). FY26 guide raised: revenue $17B (+35%), adj EPS $8.75 (+45%), FCF $500M. CCS segment FY26 ~50% revenue growth on hyperscaler programs.

Key takeaways

  • Hyperscaler-driven HPS franchise +72% Q4 / +90%+ implied for FY25. Hardware Platform Solutions (HPS) — Celestica's optical + AI rack hardware business — now $1.4B in Q4 alone (38% of company revenue). The cleanest direct AI infrastructure exposure outside silicon vendors.
  • CCS segment dominant at 78% of total revenue. Communication & Computing Solutions Q4 $2.86B (+64%); ATS (Advanced Technology Solutions) +1% only. CCS the structural growth engine; ATS being out-grown.
  • FY26 guide raised meaningfully. Revenue $17B / +35% / adj EPS $8.75 / +45%. Up from prior guide of ~$11.5B and $5.50 — major rerating reflecting customer commitments + hyperscaler program wins.
  • Q1 FY26 standalone strong. Revenue $3.85-$4.15B (midpoint +51%); adj EPS $1.95-$2.15. Sequential acceleration from Q4 FY25 record.
  • Adj EPS +56% in FY25, +45% expected in FY26. Two consecutive years of explosive earnings growth — Celestica is the clearest beneficiary among EMS/ODM names.

Business

Celestica is a contract manufacturer + ODM (original design manufacturer) for tier-1 enterprise + hyperscaler customers. Two reporting segments:

  • CCS (Communication & Computing Solutions) (~78% of revenue, Q4 +64%): Networking switches + AI accelerator systems + servers + storage + custom silicon designs for hyperscalers. HPS sub-segment +72% Q4. Optical + photonics + custom ASIC platform.
  • ATS (Advanced Technology Solutions) (~22% of revenue, Q4 +1%): Aerospace + defense + medical + industrial + capital equipment. Stable + diversified vs CCS hyperscaler concentration.

HPS (Hardware Platform Solutions) — the high-growth subset within CCS:

  • Custom AI/ML server platforms
  • Optical + photonics modules
  • Networking equipment (switches, routers)
  • Custom silicon design + integration

Customer concentration: top customers include hyperscalers + tier-1 networking OEMs (Cisco-style customers + AI ASIC providers + others — exact mix not disclosed).

FY25 financial performance

Metric (FY)202320242025
Revenue ($B)7.969.6512.61
Gross profit ($M)7541,0341,474
Op income ($M)3385991,089
Op margin4.2%6.2%8.6%
EBITDA ($M)5167361,233
Net income ($M)244428847
Diluted EPS ($)2.033.617.29
Adj EPS ($)$2.86$3.88$6.05
FCF ($M)201303466
Capex ($M)-125-171-205
Total debt ($M)784797914
Buyback ($M)-36-152-382

The earnings print: Revenue +31%, op margin +240bp to 8.6%, EPS +102% to $7.29. Operating leverage on AI cycle ramp + customer mix shift to higher-value programs.

Buyback expanded to $-382M FY25 (vs $-152M FY24).

Capital allocation

  • Capex: $-205M FY25 (1.6% of revenue). Capital-light contract manufacturer.
  • Dividends: zero (Celestica does not pay).
  • Buybacks: $-382M FY25 (2.5× FY24). Material acceleration.
  • M&A: minor.
  • Debt: $914M (+$117M YoY) modest expansion.

FY26 outlook (per Q4 2025 call, 2026-01-29)

FY26 / Q1 guideRange / point
Q1 FY26 revenue$3.85-$4.15B (midpoint +51% YoY)
Q1 FY26 adj EPS$1.95-$2.15
Full-year FY26 revenue$17B (raised from $11.5B prior guide)
Full-year FY26 adj EPS$8.75 (raised from $5.50 prior)
FY26 FCF$500M
CCS full-year revenue growth~50%

The +35% reported revenue + 45% adj EPS guide reflects: continued CCS hyperscaler ramps + HPS programs + operating leverage + custom silicon integration. Customer commitments support the visibility.

Key risks

  • Customer concentration in hyperscalers: Major hyperscaler capex pullback would compress CCS revenue.
  • HPS program cycle: AI accelerator hardware is rapidly evolving; customer designs change; competitive intensity from FoxConn + Inventec + others.
  • ATS segment underperformance: Stable but stagnant; could become drag on consolidated mix.
  • Margin sustainability: Op margin +240bp FY25 — sustainable at 8-10% through cycle?
  • Capex requirements: $-205M FY25 stepping up if CCS expansion accelerates.
  • Currency: USD-reported but global manufacturing footprint.

Bottom line

CLS FY25 is the AI hyperscaler ramp validation year. Revenue +31%, op margin +240bp, EPS +102% to $7.29. CCS +64% Q4, HPS +72% Q4. FY26 guide raised meaningfully: $17B revenue (+35%), adj EPS $8.75 (+45%), CCS ~50% revenue growth. Risks are hyperscaler customer concentration + HPS program cycle. The structural read: pure-play AI hyperscaler hardware exposure with operating leverage compounding.

Citations

  • Celestica Inc. FY25 Form 40-F (filed January 2026, SEC EDGAR + SEDAR Canada).
  • Celestica Q4 2025 earnings call, 2026-01-29 — Q4 ATS $795M (-1%, 22% mix, 5.3% margin); CCS $2.86B (+64%, 78% mix, 8.4% margin); HPS $1.4B (+72%, 38% mix); FY25 revenue $12.4B / adj EPS $6.05; FY26 guide raised: revenue $17B, adj EPS $8.75, FCF $500M, CCS ~50% growth; Q1 FY26 revenue $3.85-$4.15B (+51% midpoint), adj EPS $1.95-$2.15.
  • Internal financial_statements view (consolidated annual + cash flow + capital structure).
Related:CLS

Want deeper analysis?

Ask drillr anything about CLS — powered by SEC filings, earnings calls, and real-time data.

Try drillr.ai for free