Belden Posts Record Q3 2026 Revenue of $966 Million, Signs $100 Million Data Center Fiber Deal for 2027

Belden Inc. reported record third-quarter 2026 results and disclosed a signed agreement to supply $100 million of fiber solutions to a major US data center customer in 2027, a deal that underscores how AI-driven infrastructure buildout is reshaping demand for networking components. The St. Louis-based company, which positions itself as a global full-stack networking solutions provider, said the agreement marks a significant milestone for its data center business and supports expectations for that segment to grow by more than 50% next year.

For the quarter ended September 27, 2026, Belden recorded revenues of $966 million, up 38% year over year and 11% organically. Orders reached a record $1,017 million, up 46% year over year and 16% organically, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.05x — the first time quarterly orders surpassed $1 billion. GAAP earnings per share came in at a loss of $0.29, reflecting non-cash purchase accounting charges related to the Ruckus acquisition, while adjusted EPS rose 15% year over year to $2.26. Adjusted EBITDA was $171 million, up 44% from $119 million a year earlier, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.7%, up 70 basis points.

Net income for the quarter was a loss of $11 million, compared with net income of $57 million in the year-ago period, as GAAP results absorbed $100 million in non-cash charges tied to amortization of acquired intangible assets and inventory fair value step-up from the Ruckus deal. "Belden delivered another record quarter, with revenue of $966 million, up 38% year over year and 11% organically, and Adjusted EPS of $2.26, up 15% year over year," said Ashish Chand, President and CEO of Belden. "Demand remains robust across our key markets as AI and automation drive continued investment in networking infrastructure, from the data center to the factory floor."

Chand said the $100 million fiber assembly agreement reflects broadening engagement with hyperscale and data center customers, adding that Belden is increasingly positioned as a networking partner for physical AI and automation. The company also reported progress integrating Ruckus, citing a growing cross-selling funnel and positive customer conversations. For the fourth quarter of 2026, Belden guided revenues to a range of $960 million to $980 million, with GAAP EPS of $0.24 to $0.39 and adjusted EPS of $2.20 to $2.35, citing record order levels entering the quarter alongside near-term macroeconomic and supply chain caution.

The results highlight how demand for fiber connectivity and networking infrastructure is accelerating as AI workloads expand from data centers to industrial environments, giving component suppliers like Belden a larger role in the physical layer of AI deployment. Belden's backlog and book-to-bill suggest customers are committing to multi-quarter infrastructure programs rather than one-off purchases, a pattern that could support revenue visibility into 2027 even as the company manages acquisition-related costs and integration risk.