Core Insights - Applied Digital is gaining investor attention for its role in building and operating AI data centers, providing essential cloud infrastructure for leading AI companies, and has a partnership with Nvidia for GPU access [1][2][5] - The company's share price has increased by 375% over the past 12 months due to surging demand for AI data center capacity [2] - Despite impressive sales growth, the company faces significant challenges, including rising expenses and ongoing losses [2][8] Financial Performance - In fiscal Q2 2026, Applied Digital's sales surged by 250% to nearly $127 million, while total expenses rose by 230% to nearly $158 million [6][9] - The company has signed multiyear leasing agreements, such as with CoreWeave, which could generate up to $16 billion in revenue over 15 years [6] - The company reported a non-GAAP diluted loss of $0.07 per share, indicating ongoing profitability challenges despite the booming AI market [10] Market Outlook - The demand for AI infrastructure is expected to continue growing, with Nvidia forecasting that AI infrastructure spending could reach between $3 trillion and $4 trillion over the next five years [7] - Applied Digital is betting on this growth as more tech companies invest in AI processing power [7]

Core Insights - The data center industry is experiencing a significant transformation driven by the demands of artificial intelligence (AI), which requires unprecedented levels of computing power and resources [1] - Applied Digital is positioning itself as a leader in this sector by constructing high-tech data centers specifically designed for AI applications, anticipating substantial growth in the coming years [2] Company Developments - Applied Digital is currently developing two AI data center campuses, Polaris Forge 1 and Polaris Forge 2, with capacities of 450 megawatts (MW) and 300 MW, respectively, expected to be completed by 2027 [3] - Additionally, the company is constructing Delta Forge 1, which will have an initial capacity of 430 MW and is projected to begin operations by mid-2027 [3] Revenue Projections - The company has secured significant lease agreements, including a deal with CoreWeave worth $11 billion over 15 years and another unnamed AI company for approximately $5 billion over the same period, indicating strong revenue growth potential [4] - Analysts estimate that Applied Digital will generate around $346 million in revenue for fiscal 2026 and $535 million for fiscal 2027, leading to a valuation of 17 to 18 times next year's revenue estimates [7] Market Performance - Applied Digital's stock has surged by 700% over the past 18 months, raising its market capitalization to approximately $9.5 billion [6] - The current stock price is $36.70, reflecting a significant increase from its 52-week low of $3.31 [5][6]

Industry Overview - Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a significant demand for high-performance data centers, leading to rapid expansion in the cloud sector [1] - The AI infrastructure market is projected to grow from $59 billion in 2025 to $356 billion by 2032, indicating a substantial investment opportunity [3] Company Analysis: Applied Digital - Applied Digital's stock surged nearly 500% over the past 12 months, reaching a 52-week high of $42.27, primarily due to AI-related demand [4] - The company reported a 250% year-over-year revenue increase to $126.6 million in its fiscal 2026 second quarter, with new leases valued at $16 billion signed during the quarter [5] - Despite revenue growth, Applied Digital faces challenges, including the need for costly data center construction, resulting in over $2.6 billion in debt, although it maintains a solid cash position of $1.9 billion [6] - The company is currently not profitable, with operating expenses of $157.5 million in fiscal Q2, leading to an operating loss of $31 million [7] Company Analysis: CoreWeave - CoreWeave, a neocloud provider, has signed an $11 billion lease for data center space with Applied Digital and is experiencing rapid sales growth due to increased demand for AI cloud computing services [8] - In Q3, CoreWeave achieved record revenue of $1.4 billion, a significant increase from $583.9 million in the prior-year period [8]

Financial Performance - Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) reported its fiscal Q2 '26 financials, exceeding market expectations for the second consecutive quarter [1] - Revenue is experiencing growth, while losses are narrowing, indicating improved financial health [1] Expansion Plans - The company has announced the development of a new campus, which is expected to support its growth strategy [1]

Core Insights - Both Iren and Applied Digital have transitioned from the crypto industry to focus on AI and high-performance computing, each adopting different strategies to capture AI-related business opportunities [2][5] Company Overview: Iren - Iren's stock has increased over 400% in the past year, with a current market cap of $20 billion and a high forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 50 [4] - The company recently secured a $9.7 billion AI cloud contract with Microsoft, leading to a significant improvement in net income from a loss of $51.7 million in Q1 of the previous fiscal year to a gain of $384.6 million in Q1 of fiscal 2026 [4][3] - Iren retains flexibility by operating in both crypto and high-performance computing, allowing it to adapt based on market demand [3] Company Overview: Applied Digital - Applied Digital's stock has surged over 500% in the past year, with a current market cap of $11 billion and a gross margin of 16.40% [6][7] - The company reported a 250% increase in revenue in its latest quarter, benefiting from multibillion-dollar leases with hyperscalers and a backlog of $16 billion [7] - Applied Digital focuses on building high-performance data centers and offering long-term leases, which provides predictable cash flows [5] Investment Considerations - Investors seeking cash flow predictability may find Applied Digital more appealing due to its stable revenue from contracts [8] - Iren offers optionality and upside potential but comes with higher volatility due to the cyclical nature of crypto and uncertainties in the AI compute market [8][9] - Both companies have shown significant returns driven by positive sentiment towards AI infrastructure, but they are not considered low-risk investments [9]

Core Insights - Applied Digital Corp. (NASDAQ:APLD) experienced a significant share price increase of 14.29% to close at $41.35, driven by positive developments in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, including increased funding from major players [1] - The company is part of a broader rally in the AI industry, alongside peers such as IREN Ltd., TeraWulf, and Cipher Mining, following Nvidia Corp.'s $2 billion investment in CoreWeave, which reflects optimism despite concerns about an AI bubble [2] - Anthropic, a US-based AI firm, reportedly raised up to $15 billion in new funds for its expansion, supported by investors like Coatue and GIC, which bodes well for data center operators like Applied Digital [3] Company Developments - Applied Digital is currently constructing a new 430-megawatt data center in Dallas, Texas, which will include two 150-megawatt facilities on a 500-acre site, expected to create over 200 jobs once operational [4]

Core Insights - Applied Digital (APLD) has shown significant stock performance compared to competitors over the past year, but it faces challenges with ongoing unprofitability and negative cash flow margins [2] - The company's revenue growth of 63.0% is notable, yet it is accompanied by a -28.0% operating margin, indicating high spending on AI/HPC infrastructure relative to operational efficiency in mining [2] - APLD's price-to-earnings (PE) ratio stands at -93.6, reflecting a strong investor interest in its AI data center strategy, prioritizing future growth over current earnings [2] Revenue Growth Comparison - APLD's revenue growth of 63.0% is impressive but varies compared to peers, indicating fluctuating success in securing AI/HPC contracts against the backdrop of competitors' mining expansions [2][4] Operating Margin Comparison - APLD's operating margin of -28.0% is significantly lower than HUT's 60.3%, highlighting the disparity in operational efficiency and spending on AI/HPC infrastructure [2][3] Valuation Comparison - APLD's elevated valuation, despite lower revenue compared to many competitors, suggests potential overvaluation given its cash burn pattern and ongoing unprofitability [2][4]

Core Insights - Applied Digital (NASDAQ: APLD) has experienced significant growth in 2026, with a year-to-date increase of nearly 68% [1] Company Performance - The company's stock performance indicates strong market confidence and potential for continued growth in the near future [1]

Core Insights - Applied Digital has experienced significant stock growth, with a nearly 540% increase over the past 12 months, driven by rapid growth and new leases [1] - The company plans to spin off its unprofitable cloud-based AI infrastructure platform, which is seen as a competitor to its own customers [2] - Equinix is presented as a more stable investment option for long-term income investors, offering reliable dividends and stable profits [7] Applied Digital Overview - From fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2025, Applied Digital's revenue increased from $8.5 million to $144.2 million, excluding its cloud business [3] - The company has secured $16 billion in lease payments over the next 15 years, primarily from CoreWeave [3] - Despite expansion efforts, analysts predict Applied Digital will remain unprofitable post-spin-off of its cloud business [4] Equinix Overview - Equinix operates over 270 data centers with a total capacity of approximately 1 GW, making it one of the largest data center REITs [8] - The company serves over 10,000 customers and generates significantly more revenue than Applied Digital, with a gross margin of 30.89% [9][10] - Equinix has consistently raised its dividend payout since becoming an REIT, currently offering a forward dividend yield of 2.3% [11] Financial Performance - Equinix's revenue and EPS grew at CAGRs of 10% and 19% from 2020 to 2024, with expectations for continued growth [11][13] - For 2025, Equinix anticipates an adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share increase of 8%-11%, easily covering its dividend rate [12] - Analysts project revenue and EPS growth of 6% and 74%, respectively, for the current year, with further growth expected from 2025 to 2027 [13]

Shares of Applied Digital (NASDAQ: APLD) spiked on Tuesday, finishing the day up 14.3%. The dramatic move came as the S&P 500 gained 0.4% and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.9%. The artificial intelligence (AI) data center operator's stock is flying on news of Nvidia's investment in one of Applied Digital's closest partners. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » Nvidia announces ...