Wrapping up Q3 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the electronic components & manufacturing stocks, including Knowles (NYSE:KN) and its peers.
The sector could see higher demand as the prevalence of advanced electronics increases in industries such as automotive, healthcare, aerospace, and computing. The high-performance components and contract manufacturing expertise required for autonomous vehicles and cloud computing datacenters, for instance, will benefit companies in the space. However, headwinds include geopolitical risks, particularly U.S.-China trade tensions that could disrupt component sourcing and production as the Trump administration takes an increasingly antagonizing stance on foreign relations. Additionally, stringent environmental regulations on e-waste and emissions could force the industry to pivot in potentially costly ways.
The 10 electronic components & manufacturing stocks we track reported a very strong Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 4.9% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 4.1% above.
Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 5.5% since the latest earnings results.
Knowles (NYSE:KN)
With roots dating back to 1946 and a focus on components that must perform flawlessly in critical situations, Knowles (NYSE:KN) designs and manufactures specialized electronic components like high-performance capacitors, microphones, and speakers for medical technology, defense, and industrial applications.
Knowles reported revenues of $184 million, up 20.3% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 6.9%. Overall, it was an impressive quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS guidance for next quarter estimates and revenue guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.
“Total Company revenue grew 20% year over year in the third quarter, and our book-to-bill ratio in Precision Devices remained above one for the eighth consecutive quarter, reflecting continued order strength,” Mr. Niew continued. “By executing our strategy—leveraging our differentiated technologies, developing custom products through close customer collaboration, and scaling production with our world-class operational capabilities—we delivered strong growth across the four major markets we serve: Medtech, Defense, Industrial, and Electrification. Additionally, at the mid-point of our fourth quarter guided range, full year 2026 revenue is expected to grow 16%. I am pleased with the Company’s performance and excited about the opportunities ahead.”
Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 1% since reporting and currently trades at $33.04.
Is now the time to buy Knowles? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Best Q3: Plexus (NASDAQ:PLXS)
With over 20,000 team members across 26 global facilities, Plexus (NASDAQ:PLXS) designs, manufactures, and services complex electronic products for companies in aerospace/defense, healthcare, and industrial sectors.
Plexus reported revenues of $1.43 billion, up 34.8% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.9%. The business had an impressive quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS guidance for next quarter estimates and revenue guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.
Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 14.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $205.57.
Is now the time to buy Plexus? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Weakest Q3: TTM Technologies (NASDAQ:TTMI)
As one of the world's largest printed circuit board manufacturers with facilities spanning North America and Asia, TTM Technologies (NASDAQ:TTMI) manufactures printed circuit boards (PCBs) and radio frequency (RF) components for aerospace, defense, automotive, and telecommunications industries.
TTM Technologies reported revenues of $1.20 billion, up 59.9% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 7.3%. It may have had the worst quarter among its peers, but its results were still good as it also locked in a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and revenue guidance for next quarter meeting analysts’ expectations.
TTM Technologies delivered the weakest guidance update of the whole group. As expected, the stock is down 26.3% since the results and currently trades at $75.25.
Read our full analysis of TTM Technologies’s results here.
Benchmark (NYSE:BHE)
Operating as a critical behind-the-scenes partner for complex technology products since 1979, Benchmark Electronics (NYSE:BHE) provides advanced manufacturing, engineering, and technology solutions for original equipment manufacturers across aerospace, medical, industrial, and technology sectors.
Benchmark reported revenues of $810.9 million, up 19.1% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 4.6%. Overall, it was an impressive quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ EPS guidance for next quarter estimates and revenue guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.
The stock is down 13.7% since reporting and currently trades at $63.29.
Read our full, actionable report on Benchmark here, it’s free.
CTS (NYSE:CTS)
With roots dating back to 1896 and a global manufacturing footprint, CTS (NYSE:CTS) designs and manufactures sensors, connectivity components, and actuators for aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and transportation markets.
CTS reported revenues of $149.6 million, up 4.6% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. It was a very strong quarter as it also recorded a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.
CTS had the slowest revenue growth in the group. The stock is up 12.1% since reporting and currently trades at $60.47.
Read our full, actionable report on CTS here, it’s free.
Market update
Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.
Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.
By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.
Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Hidden Gem Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.