GlobalFoundries stock gains 46.4 percent as data center growth accelerates
Published on 09/23/2026 at 05:03 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
GlobalFoundries stock gained 46.4 percent over the year to September 22, 2026, while the foundry's communications infrastructure and data center revenue rose 62 percent year over year in the second quarter of 2026. The combination puts data center demand ahead of the broader industry, but the valuation now leaves less room for execution surprises.
Data center growth reaches 62 percent
According to The Globe and Mail on September 22, 2026, GlobalFoundries recorded 62 percent year-over-year revenue growth in communications infrastructure and data center activities during the second quarter of 2026. The result marked the seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit growth for that business.
That comparison is the clearest operating signal in the recent coverage: the segment's 62 percent increase exceeded the semiconductor industry's 34.6 percent annual gain over the same period. For investors, the key issue is whether data center and optical connectivity demand can continue to offset the more cyclical parts of the foundry portfolio.
Partnerships support optical demand
A September 17, 2026 report described an expanded capacity agreement between GlobalFoundries and Marvell Technology for chips used in high-speed optical connections in data centers. The agreement links the company's manufacturing capacity directly to infrastructure spending tied to artificial intelligence workloads.
GlobalFoundries also expanded its photonics portfolio through a SMART partnership, according to the September 22, 2026 report. The commercial logic is straightforward: optical connectivity requires specialized manufacturing, and a broader photonics offering can increase the value of existing foundry capacity without relying solely on leading-edge logic production.
Valuation raises the execution bar
The same September 22, 2026 analysis reported a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.67 for GlobalFoundries, compared with 13.52 for the industry. That 6.15-point premium means the market is assigning a higher multiple to the company's expected earnings than to the sector average.
GlobalFoundries shares also carried a Zacks Rank of 3, or Hold, in the September 22, 2026 coverage. The combination of a 46.4 percent annual share-price gain and a valuation premium creates a counter-factor to the growth story: continued segment expansion must translate into earnings growth that supports the current multiple.
Stock performance remains the checkpoint
GlobalFoundries stock stood at USD 43.03 at the close of September 16, 2026, with a daily gain of 0.65 percent. The market value and trading range are venue-dependent, so the Nasdaq close is the reference point for this article.
GlobalFoundries stock facts
- Company: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
- ISIN: KYG393871085
- Ticker: GFS
- Trading venue: Nasdaq
- Price as of September 16, 2026: USD 43.03
- Sector / Industry: Information Technology / Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment
