Analyst Ratings February 12, 2026

Baird Boosts GlobalFoundries Target to $60 Citing Photonics, Networking and Auto Momentum

Analyst maintains Outperform as mix shifts toward higher-growth segments and utilization improves

By Avery Klein GFS
Baird Boosts GlobalFoundries Target to $60 Citing Photonics, Networking and Auto Momentum
GFS

Baird raised its price target on GlobalFoundries (GFS) to $60 from $40 while keeping an Outperform rating, projecting upside from the current share price near $48.74. The firm points to silicon photonics, satellite and optical networking as near- and medium-term revenue and mix drivers, and highlights continued automotive content gains and share expansion. Baird expects an industry upcycle, improved pricing, higher utilization and better product mix to support gross margin expansion. GlobalFoundries also reported stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter 2025 results, with EPS of $0.55 versus a $0.48 forecast and revenue of $1.83 billion versus $1.8 billion.

Key Points

  • Baird raised its price target on GlobalFoundries to $60 from $40 and retained an Outperform rating; the new target implies upside from the current price near $48.74.
  • Silicon photonics, satellite and optical networking were cited as principal revenue and mix contributors, while automotive continues to show share and content gains.
  • Baird expects an industry upcycle, improved pricing, better product mix and higher utilization to support gross margin expansion; Q4 2025 results beat expectations with EPS of $0.55 and revenue of $1.83 billion.

Overview

Baird has increased its 12-month price target on GlobalFoundries Inc. (NASDAQ:GFS) to $60.00, up from $40.00, and retained an Outperform rating on the semiconductor foundry. The revised target implies additional upside relative to the current trading level, roughly $48.74, with the stock trading close to its 52-week high of $48.88 after a 48.42% advance over the past six months.

Growth and mix drivers

The research note identifies silicon photonics, satellite, and optical networking as primary contributors to revenue growth and an improved product mix for the remainder of the year and into the medium term. Baird also called out ongoing momentum in the automotive end market, attributing gains to both increased content per vehicle and rising market share for the company.

Baird added that industrial applications are returning to growth this year and that smartphone demand has stabilized. The firm noted a geo-dependable related design-win pipeline that now exceeds $3 billion.

Margin and industry dynamics

According to Baird’s view, GlobalFoundries stands to benefit from a currently unfolding semiconductor industry upcycle. The analyst expects an expansion in higher-growth segments and a return to a more favorable pricing environment. Those industry tailwinds, combined with an improved product mix and higher utilization levels, are projected to drive gross margin expansion for the company.

Recent financials

In its most recent quarterly report, GlobalFoundries posted fourth-quarter 2025 results that exceeded consensus estimates. The company delivered earnings per share of $0.55, outperforming the expected $0.48 by 14.58%. Revenue for the quarter was $1.83 billion, marginally above the $1.8 billion forecast. Market participants have taken note of these results, although the note indicates that specific analyst upgrades or downgrades were not detailed in recent commentary.

Market context

The company’s market capitalization stands at $27.08 billion. External data referenced in the research indicates net income is expected to grow this year for GlobalFoundries, supporting the firm’s constructive outlook on the stock.

Implications for investors

Baird’s upward revision and continued Outperform stance reflect a set of conditional improvements - an industry upcycle, better pricing, stronger utilization and favorable mix shifts. These elements are central to the analyst’s thesis for margin recovery and revenue acceleration. Investors evaluating GFS should weigh the reported quarter, the cited design-win footprint above $3 billion, and the company’s exposure to photonics, satellite, optical networking and automotive end markets when forming views on potential upside.


Note: This article reports on the analyst action, the company’s most recent quarter and the elements highlighted by the research note. It does not include any additional analyst actions beyond those described, nor does it add supplementary forecasts.

Risks

  • The anticipated benefits depend on a semiconductor industry upcycle and a return to a favorable pricing environment - if those conditions do not materialize, margin and revenue improvements may be limited.
  • Projected gross margin expansion relies on improved product mix and higher utilization - sustained demand across the cited end markets (photonics, satellite, optical networking, automotive, industrial) is necessary to achieve these utilization gains.
  • While recent quarterly results beat estimates, the note indicates that broader analyst responses (specific upgrades or downgrades) were not detailed, leaving some uncertainty in market sentiment and the analyst community’s consensus trajectory.

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