The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Belden (NYSE: BDC) and the rest of the electronic components stocks fared in Q3.

Like many equipment and component manufacturers, electronic components companies are buoyed by secular trends such as connectivity and industrial automation. More specific pockets of strong demand include data centers and telecommunications, which can benefit companies whose optical and transceiver offerings fit those markets. But like the broader industrials sector, these companies are also at the whim of economic cycles. Consumer spending, for example, can greatly impact these companies’ volumes.

The 10 electronic components stocks we track reported a very strong Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 4.2% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 4.7% on average since the latest earnings results.

Belden (NYSE: BDC)

With its enamel-coated copper wire used in WWI for the Allied forces, Belden (NYSE: BDC) designs, manufactures, and sells electronic components to various industries.

Belden reported revenues of $698.2 million, up 6.6% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income and Enterprise revenue estimates.

"We are pleased to announce record Revenues and Adjusted EPS for the third quarter, a testament to our strategic focus and steady execution," said Ashish Chand, President and CEO of Belden Inc.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 2.7% since reporting and currently trades at $116.17.

Is now the time to buy Belden? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: Vicor (NASDAQ: VICR)

Founded by a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Vicor (NASDAQ: VICR) provides electrical power conversion and delivery products for a range of industries.

Vicor reported revenues of $110.4 million, up 18.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 15.7%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

Vicor scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 47.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $97.11.

Is now the time to buy Vicor? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Weakest Q3: Novanta (NASDAQ: NOVT)

Originally a pioneer in the laser scanning industry during the late 1960s, Novanta (NASDAQ: NOVT) offers medicine and manufacturing technology to the medical, life sciences, and manufacturing industries.

Novanta reported revenues of $247.8 million, up 1.4% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. Still, it was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Novanta delivered the slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 11.8% since the results and currently trades at $119.84.

Read our full analysis of Novanta’s results here.

nLIGHT (NASDAQ: LASR)

Founded by a former CEO and Harvard-educated entrepreneur Scott Keeneyn, nLIGHT (NASDAQ: LASR) offers semiconductor and fiber lasers to the industrial, aerospace & defense, and medical sectors.

nLIGHT reported revenues of $66.74 million, up 18.9% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 5.4%. Overall, it was an incredible quarter as it also produced EBITDA guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is up 16.3% since reporting and currently trades at $34.65.

Read our full, actionable report on nLIGHT here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Bel Fuse (NASDAQ: BELFA)

Founded by 26-year-old Elliot Bernstein during the electronics boom after WW2, Bel Fuse (NASDAQ: BELF.A) provides electronic systems and devices to the telecommunications, networking, transportation, and industrial sectors.

Bel Fuse reported revenues of $179 million, up 44.8% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 3.7%. It was an incredible quarter as it also recorded a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Bel Fuse scored the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 5.4% since reporting and currently trades at $143.05.

Read our full, actionable report on Bel Fuse here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Market Update

In response to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been gradually trending down from its post-pandemic peak, trending closer to the Fed’s 2% target. Despite higher borrowing costs, the economy has avoided flashing recessionary signals. This is the much-desired soft landing that many investors hoped for. The recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November 2024) have bolstered the stock market, making 2024 a strong year for equities. Donald Trump’s presidential win in November sparked additional market gains, sending indices to record highs in the days following his victory. However, debates continue over possible tariffs and corporate tax adjustments, raising questions about economic stability in 2025.

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