Looking back on electronic components & manufacturing stocks’ Q1 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, 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 an exceptional Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.8% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Luckily, electronic components & manufacturing stocks have performed well with share prices up 11% on average 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 $153.1 million, up 15.8% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 3.9%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and revenue guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.

“We started 2026 delivering strong first quarter revenues and non-GAAP diluted EPS which was at or above the high-end of our guided ranges,” commented Jeffrey Niew, President and CEO of Knowles.

Interestingly, the stock is up 13.4% since reporting and currently trades at $35.45.

Is now the time to buy Knowles? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q1: 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 $846 million, up 30.4% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6.9%. The business had an incredible quarter with EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 16% since reporting. It currently trades at $159.48.

Is now the time to buy TTM Technologies? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Slowest Q1: 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 $139.2 million, up 10.7% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. 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 and revenue estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 5% since the results and currently trades at $56.99.

Read our full analysis of CTS’s results here.

Amphenol (NYSE: APH)

With over 90 years of connecting the world's technologies, Amphenol (NYSE: APH) designs and manufactures connectors, cables, sensors, and interconnect systems that enable electrical and electronic connections across virtually every industry.

Amphenol reported revenues of $7.62 billion, up 58.4% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 7%. It was a stunning quarter with EPS guidance for next quarter beating estimates.

Amphenol delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 15.3% since reporting and currently trades at $121.68.

Read our full, actionable report on Amphenol here, it’s free.

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 $1.16 billion, up 18.7% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 2.9%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter with revenue guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.

The stock is up 3.3% since reporting and currently trades at $258.78.

Read our full, actionable report on Plexus here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Strong Momentum Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.