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CLS vs FLEX
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Celestica Inc. (CLS) vs. Flex Ltd. (FLEX) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Celestica (CLS) reported Q1 2026 revenue of $4.05 billion, up 53% year-over-year, driven by AI and data center demand, though shares pulled back post-earnings.
- Flex Ltd. (FLEX) has outperformed year-to-date with a 51.77% gain compared to CLS's 39.92%, amid steady momentum and partnerships in automation.
- Both stocks benefit from electronics manufacturing services (EMS) exposure to AI infrastructure, but CLS shows superior one-year returns of 369.60% versus FLEX's 159.41%.
- CLS trades at a higher P/E ratio of 50.78 compared to FLEX's 41.12, reflecting growth premium amid recent analyst upgrades.
- Analysts rate both as buys, with CLS holding a Strong Buy consensus and average price target of $440.78.
Introduction
Celestica Inc. (CLS) and Flex Ltd. (FLEX) are key players in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) sector, providing design, manufacturing, and supply chain solutions for technology firms. This stock comparison analyzes their recent market positioning, performance, and growth drivers amid rising demand for AI infrastructure and data centers. Traders seeking momentum plays and investors eyeing long-term tech exposure will find value in understanding their relative strengths, valuations, and sentiment shifts in the current environment.
CLS Overview and Recent Performance
Celestica Inc. (CLS) specializes in advanced technology solutions, including connectivity, cloud solutions (CCS), and aerospace/defense segments. In recent market activity, CLS shares have shown robust growth, with a market capitalization of approximately $48.2 billion and a current price around $419. The company reported strong Q1 2026 results, with revenue surging 53% year-over-year to $4.05 billion and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.16, beating estimates amid hyperscaler data center demand. However, shares experienced a sharp pullback following the earnings release due to profit-taking, despite raised full-year guidance. Positive analyst sentiment persists, with upgrades and price targets up to $550, supporting recovery potential in recent weeks.
FLEX Overview and Recent Performance
Flex Ltd. (FLEX) offers diversified manufacturing services across communications, enterprise computing, consumer tech, and industrial sectors, with growing emphasis on data centers and automation. Shares trade near $92, with a market cap of about $33.7 billion. Recent performance has been steady, posting a 51.77% year-to-date gain and hitting new 52-week highs around $93.53, fueled by strong quarterly results, margin expansions, and partnerships like the expansion with Teradyne Robotics for intelligent manufacturing. Upcoming Q4 fiscal 2026 earnings are anticipated to reflect continued momentum, with analysts maintaining buy ratings and price targets up to $95. Sentiment remains supportive amid broader sector tailwinds.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both CLS and FLEX operate in the EMS space, focusing on supply chain efficiency for tech giants, but CLS leans more toward high-growth CCS and AI servers, while FLEX offers broader diversification into consumer and industrial verticals. Growth drivers differ: CLS boasts faster revenue expansion (TTM $13.79B) and explosive one-year returns, versus FLEX's larger scale (TTM $26.83B) and YTD edge. Recent momentum favors FLEX's stability post-highs, while CLS faces volatility from earnings reactions. Risk factors include supply chain disruptions and sector competition for both, though CLS's higher P/E signals growth premium risks. Market sentiment tilts bullish on CLS via upgrades, but FLEX shows relative resilience in recent trading.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors CLS for its superior long-term trend consistency, explosive growth in AI-driven revenue, and strong analyst backing, despite short-term post-earnings volatility. FLEX offers stability and value, but CLS's catalysts position it probabilistically stronger for momentum traders in the evolving tech supply chain landscape.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CLS is a Hold and FLEX is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CLS’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green whileFLEX’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- CLS’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- FLEX’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CLS’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while FLEX’s TA Score has 2 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CLS’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- FLEX’s TA Score: 2 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
CLS (@Electronic Components) experienced а -10.44% price change this week, while FLEX (@Electronic Components) price change was +44.83% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Components industry was +4.59%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +12.54%, and the average quarterly price growth was +37.53%.
Reported Earning Dates
CLS is expected to report earnings on Jul 27, 2026.
FLEX is expected to report earnings on Jul 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Components (+4.59% weekly)The Electronic Components industry produces electronic equipment for industries and consumer electronics products, such as mobile devices, televisions, and circuit boards. TE Connectivity Ltd, for example, is a company that designs and manufactures connectivity and sensor products for harsh environments in various industries, such as automotive, industrial equipment, aerospace, and oil & gas. Another major player, Corning Inc., makes advanced optics including end-to-end fiber and wireless solutions for communications networks along with various other technologies catering to industrial and scientific applications.
| CLS | FLEX | CLS / FLEX | |
| Capitalization | 43.1B | 51.4B | 84% |
| EBITDA | 1.36B | 1.89B | 72% |
| Gain YTD | 26.542 | 131.198 | 20% |
| P/E Ratio | 45.34 | 59.95 | 76% |
| Revenue | 13.8B | 26.8B | 51% |
| Total Cash | 378M | 3.06B | 12% |
| Total Debt | 772M | 5.02B | 15% |
CLS | FLEX | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 80 | 30 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 72 Overvalued | 68 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 8 | 2 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 19 | 51 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 37 | 34 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 15 | 4 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
FLEX's Valuation (68) in the Electronic Components industry is in the same range as CLS (72). This means that FLEX’s stock grew similarly to CLS’s over the last 12 months.
FLEX's Profit vs Risk Rating (2) in the Electronic Components industry is in the same range as CLS (8). This means that FLEX’s stock grew similarly to CLS’s over the last 12 months.
CLS's SMR Rating (19) in the Electronic Components industry is in the same range as FLEX (51). This means that CLS’s stock grew similarly to FLEX’s over the last 12 months.
FLEX's Price Growth Rating (34) in the Electronic Components industry is in the same range as CLS (37). This means that FLEX’s stock grew similarly to CLS’s over the last 12 months.
FLEX's P/E Growth Rating (4) in the Electronic Components industry is in the same range as CLS (15). This means that FLEX’s stock grew similarly to CLS’s over the last 12 months.
| CLS | FLEX | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 2 days ago 66% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 82% | 7 days ago 62% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 82% | N/A |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 69% | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 69% | 2 days ago 76% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 85% | 2 days ago 76% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 84% | 2 days ago 75% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 72% | 15 days ago 62% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 88% | 2 days ago 79% |
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CLS and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CLS has been closely correlated with FLEX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 69% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CLS jumps, then FLEX could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To CLS | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLS | 100% | -1.82% | ||
| FLEX - CLS | 69% Closely correlated | -3.71% | ||
| FN - CLS | 69% Closely correlated | -2.32% | ||
| TTMI - CLS | 66% Loosely correlated | +0.23% | ||
| JBL - CLS | 63% Loosely correlated | -3.95% | ||
| GLW - CLS | 60% Loosely correlated | -4.41% | ||
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FLEX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, FLEX has been closely correlated with JBL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 74% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if FLEX jumps, then JBL could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To FLEX | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLEX | 100% | -3.71% | ||
| JBL - FLEX | 74% Closely correlated | -3.95% | ||
| GLW - FLEX | 61% Loosely correlated | -4.41% | ||
| BHE - FLEX | 58% Loosely correlated | -3.62% | ||
| TTMI - FLEX | 57% Loosely correlated | +0.23% | ||
| PLXS - FLEX | 55% Loosely correlated | -2.68% | ||
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