Optical Cable Reports Strong Q1 Results, Sees Growing Data Center Demand

Optical fiber and cable manufacturer cites higher sales, improved margins, and surging backlog as it enters fiscal 2026.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Optical Cable Corporation (NASDAQ:OCC) reported a stronger start to fiscal 2026, citing higher demand across enterprise and specialty markets, improved gross margin, and a sharply higher sales order backlog and forward load. Management said momentum in targeted markets, particularly data centers, was building as the company entered the second fiscal quarter.

Why it matters

Optical Cable's performance reflects growing demand for its fiber optic and copper cable solutions, which are critical components for data transmission in industries like telecommunications, industrial automation, and defense systems. The company's focus on the data center market, a key growth area, suggests it is well-positioned to capitalize on the ongoing digital transformation and infrastructure buildout.

The details

For the first quarter ended Jan. 31, 2026, Optical Cable's consolidated net sales increased 4.4% to $16.4 million, driven by growth in both its enterprise and specialty markets. Gross profit rose 16.1% to $5.4 million, with gross margin expanding to 32.7% from 29.4% a year earlier. The company reported a net loss of $398,000, or $0.05 per share, an improvement from a $1.1 million loss in the prior-year quarter. Management highlighted a more than 50% increase in sales order backlog and forward load to $10.4 million, indicating strong demand for its products.

  • For the first quarter ended Jan. 31, 2026, Optical Cable reported its results.
  • The company said it saw 'significant and growing activity and customer requests for quotes' in the data center sector during January 2026, and that this activity was continuing and growing entering fiscal Q2.

The players

Optical Cable Corporation

A publicly traded designer and manufacturer of optical fiber and copper communications cable solutions, headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia.

Neil Wilkin

CEO of Optical Cable Corporation.

Tracy Smith

CFO of Optical Cable Corporation.

Lightera

Formerly known as OFS, a company that Optical Cable has a decades-long working relationship with and is collaborating with on product offerings.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Optical Cable's strong start to fiscal 2026, with growing demand in its targeted markets and a surging backlog, suggests the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the ongoing digital transformation and infrastructure buildout, particularly in the data center sector.