Not Nvidia. Not AMD. This Is the Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy in November

The quarterly earnings season is underway, and the initial results from semiconductor bellwethers ASML Holding and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing suggest that the artificial intelligence (AI) boom isn't showing any signs of slowing down.

Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices, two key players in the AI infrastructure space, will report results in November. I won't be surprised to see both semiconductor stocks deliver strong numbers and guidance, driven by the healthy spending on their chips by hyperscalers, governments, enterprises, and AI companies.

However, I think that there's another key AI infrastructure player that could upstage Nvidia and AMD next month. Lumentum Holdings (NASDAQ:LITE) designs and builds high-speed optical networking components, data center interconnect (DCI) solutions, and optical switches that enable the rapid transport of massive amounts of data in AI data center clusters.

Lumentum will release its fiscal 2027 first-quarter results after the market closes on Nov. 5. Let's look at the reasons why the company can crush Wall Street's expectations and make a parabolic move.

Image source: Getty Images.

Lumentum is benefiting from the next big bottleneck in AI infrastructure

AI chips, such as graphics cards and custom AI processors, are capable of processing huge data sets quickly. However, they need rapid access to all that data to ensure that training and inference workloads can be handled seamlessly. This is why optical networking components are in terrific demand, as the limitations of traditional copper cables don't hold them back.

However, healthy demand for optical networking is creating a significant supply shortage, as production isn't keeping pace. Consulting giant McKinsey estimates that the production of high-speed optical transceivers could fall significantly short of demand through 2029.

For instance, the supply of transceivers capable of transmitting data at 1.6 terabits per second (1.6 Tbps) could be 30% to 40% below demand through 2029. Meanwhile, the demand for 800-Gbps transceivers could be 40% to 60% higher than supply through 2027. The incredible demand for optical networking and the severe supply shortage are driving up prices, significantly boosting Lumentum's margins.

LITE Gross Profit Margin data by YCharts

Not surprisingly, analysts are expecting a 135% year-over-year increase in Lumentum's revenue for the previous quarter to $1.25 billion, while adjusted earnings per share (EPS) could jump by 284% to $4.22. Wall Street's expectations are well within Lumentum's fiscal Q1 guidance range. However, Lumentum could spring a positive surprise.

That's because the optical networking market is poised for exponential growth. Goldman Sachs notes that optical networking revenue could jump from $15 billion in 2026 to $154 billion in 2028, a whopping 10x jump in just a couple of years. Lumentum is positioning itself to make the most of this huge opportunity by ramping up production of 1.6T transceivers in 2027.

Lumentum management indicated on the August earnings call that the shift toward 1.6T transceivers could boost its margins. CEO Michael Hurlston pointed out:

Meanwhile, profitability across our transceiver lines continues to improve, driven by gains in both yield and capacity utilization as well as the initial rollout of higher ASP 1.6T transceivers. Our visibility into future cloud transceiver demand is clearer than ever. In fact, we expect the 1.6T transceiver uptake to intensify starting in fiscal Q1 and sustain through calendar 2027.

So, Lumentum's EPS growth could accelerate in the future. The company's adjusted EPS in fiscal 2026 was $8.67. According to the following chart, its bottom line could jump by 5.5x in just three years. However, we have seen that the optical networking market could clock a 10x jump between 2026 and 2028, according to Goldman Sachs.

As such, Lumentum is positioned to deliver a larger increase in earnings per share. That's why investors looking to buy a top growth stock should take a closer look at this name, especially considering that it has pulled back significantly this month.

Now is a great time to buy Lumentum stock

Shares of Lumentum have lost 19% of their value since Oct. 9, when the stock reached a 52-week high. As a result, investors can now buy Lumentum at 43 times forward earnings, which seems like a good deal considering the incredible earnings growth it is poised to deliver.

LITE EPS Estimates for Current Fiscal Year data by YCharts

Assuming Lumentum's EPS jumps to $48.28 in fiscal 2029 and it trades at even 30 times earnings, a discount to the tech-laden Nasdaq Composite index's average earnings multiple of 41, its stock price could soar to $1,448. That implies a potential gain of 58%. However, Lumentum's outstanding earnings growth potential and its ability to outperform Wall Street's expectations could help it command a premium valuation.

So, investors can expect bigger gains from this AI stock once it beats expectations in November, which is why buying Lumentum ahead of its earnings report could be a smart move given its attractive valuation.

Harsh Chauhan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends ASML, Advanced Micro Devices, Goldman Sachs Group, Lumentum, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.