Huge winners usually have two things going for them: a strong business trend and fresh numbers to back up the excitement. In this market, investors are watching companies tied to artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, critical metals, and precious metals.
Those themes still have momentum, but the best opportunities need more than a good story. They need revenue growth, improving earnings, and a clear path for more upside. These two stocks both fit that screen, though each comes with risks investors shouldn’t ignore.
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CLS
Celestica (TSX:CLS) has turned into one of Canada’s most talked-about technology stocks, and for good reason. Celestica stock helps design, manufacture, and supply hardware for major customers across data centres, cloud computing, aerospace, defence, health tech, and industrial markets. Its biggest growth engine right now comes from AI infrastructure. As companies spend heavily on servers, networking equipment, and high-performance computing, Celestica stock has found itself in the right place at the right time.
The last year brought a sharp shift in how investors view the stock. Celestica stock no longer looks like a quiet manufacturing name, but a major AI infrastructure play. Its Connectivity and Cloud Solutions segment keeps driving growth, helped by demand from large cloud and data-centre customers. The company also won a program tied to a co-packaged optics Ethernet switch for a hyper-scaler customer, with production expected to ramp in 2027. That gives investors another reason to look beyond this year’s results.
Those results look impressive. In the first quarter of 2026, revenue jumped 53% year over year to US$4.05 billion, while adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose to US$2.16 from US$1.20. Adjusted operating margin hit 8%, a fresh milestone for the company. Celestica stock also raised its 2026 outlook to US$19 billion in revenue and US$10.15 in adjusted EPS. The catch? Valuation has already climbed. The stock recently traded around 51 times trailing earnings, so investors are paying up for growth. If AI spending slows, shares could pull back fast.
AYA
Aya Gold & Silver (TSX:AYA) gives investors a very different kind of upside. It’s a Canadian precious metals company focused on Morocco, with its key asset being the Zgounder silver mine. Silver has attracted more attention as investors look at both precious metal demand and industrial demand from solar, electronics, and electrification. Aya sits in a sweet spot because it offers silver exposure, production growth, and a developing project pipeline.
The last year changed the story in a big way. Aya completed the ramp-up of Zgounder, turning stronger production into record financial results. It also advanced Boumadine, a project with major long-term potential. The company’s 2025 preliminary economic assessment for Boumadine outlined a base-case post-tax net present value of US$1.5 billion and an internal rate of return of 47%. That’s the kind of project data that can keep growth investors interested, especially when silver prices stay firm.
The earnings show real progress. Full-year 2025 revenue reached US$202 million, up fivefold from 2024. Net income came in at US$46 million, or US$0.32 per diluted share, compared with a loss the year before. Operating cash flow hit US$72 million, while cash and equivalents reached US$136 million at year-end. The stock isn’t cheap, though. Investors are already pricing in a lot of growth at 54.7 times earnings. Aya still needs strong silver prices, smooth mine execution, and steady progress at Boumadine to justify that optimism.
Bottom line
In short, Celestica stock offers a direct way to invest in AI infrastructure growth, backed by surging revenue and stronger guidance. Aya offers silver exposure with improving earnings and a bigger development story. Both stocks could be huge winners this year if their trends keep moving in the right direction. But neither one is a bargain-bin pick. Investors should treat them as exciting growth stocks, not risk-free rides.
