Americas Technology: Hardware: AI Project Pulse: January 2026 29 January 2026 | 1:57PM EST Equity Research We summarize recent announcements and developments in the AI project space across neoclouds, sovereigns, and enterprise made in January 2026. This represents select project announcements and is not indicative of the total AI infrastructure opportunity. We also include an interactive data center project cost calculator to provide a high-level framework on how to size spend by total power or number of XP ...

Spring, Texas-based Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) delivers solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly. Valued at $29 billion by market cap, the company provides servers, advanced storage products, high-performance computing, AI-driven platforms, and more. Shares of this global technology leader have underperformed the broader market over the past year. HPE has gained 1.2% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied nearly 15%. ...

SAN JOSE, Calif. and DENVER, Jan. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iterate.ai, one of CRN’s 2025 Hottest AI Software Companies, along with TD SYNNEX, a leading global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem, and HPE today announced the launch and availability of Generate for Healthcare, a comprehensive AI-powered solution empowering hospital systems to identify and recover millions of dollars in unpaid and underpaid insurance claims. Generate for Healthcare addresses a critical challenge facin ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus is on the U.S. Semiconductors industry, particularly the AI value chain and its implications for various companies involved in hardware and semiconductor verticals [1][2] Core Insights and Arguments - A top-down framework is constructed to dimension the AI upside across sectors from 2025 to 2027, aimed at simplifying comparisons across different companies [2][19] - The analysis updates the breakdown of data center capital expenditures (capex) to reflect rising prices for DRAM and NAND, estimating an increase of approximately $70,000 per rack for server DRAM and $35,000 per rack for storage costs, raising all-in capex from $5.9 million to $6.0 million per rack [3][21] - Incremental revenue estimates per gigawatt (GW) of capacity are derived from market share estimates across nine key hardware/semiconductor verticals, with a regression analysis used to estimate margins on incremental AI revenue [4][23] Company-Specific Insights - **Unimicron and Ibiden** are highlighted as having significant upside potential, particularly in ABF substrate and HDI, with Unimicron expected to benefit from large opportunities [5][27] - **Nvidia (NVDA)** and **Broadcom (AVGO)** are identified as industry favorites, with Nvidia's AI substrate upgrade expected to double content generation [5][27] - **Intel (INTC)** and **Cisco** are noted to have lower exposure to AI opportunities compared to their market prominence, with Intel facing challenges in capturing market share [6][28][31] - **Delta Electronics** is rated as outperforming, with a price target of NT$1,300, benefiting from increased electrical content in AI data centers [13][30] - **MediaTek** is expected to see growth from the TPU ramp, while memory/storage players like **SanDisk**, **Samsung**, **Micron**, **SK Hynix**, and **KIOXIA** are projected to benefit from rapid memory price surges [6][30] Financial Metrics and Valuations - The report includes a detailed ticker table with performance metrics for various companies, including EPS and adjusted P/E ratios, indicating that Unimicron has room for growth while Intel appears expensive relative to its AI opportunities [9][29] - **Nvidia** is rated outperform with a target price of $275, while **AMD** is rated market perform with a target of $225, reflecting high expectations for AI growth [11][12] Additional Considerations - The analysis acknowledges that estimates of AI upside are imprecise and that valuations are influenced by various non-AI factors, suggesting that investors should consider their own assumptions for more accurate estimates [20][26] - The report emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances of each company's position within the AI landscape, including their ability to adapt to evolving data center requirements [20][30] Conclusion - The semiconductor industry is poised for significant growth driven by AI, with specific companies like Unimicron and Ibiden positioned to capture substantial market share. However, challenges remain for established players like Intel, highlighting the dynamic nature of the sector and the need for careful analysis of individual company prospects [5][6][27][30]

Group 1 - iREIT+HOYA Capital focuses on income-producing asset classes that provide sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging [1][2] - The investment group targets high-yield, dividend growth opportunities, offering portfolios with dividend yields up to 10% [2] - The group provides research on various investment vehicles including REITs, ETFs, closed-end funds, preferreds, and dividend champions [2] Group 2 - The article emphasizes the potential of sleeper stocks in the AI-adjacent space, highlighting companies like Cisco Systems, Inc. and Applied Materials, Inc. that may take time to gain traction [2]

Group 1 - iREIT+HOYA Capital focuses on income-producing asset classes that provide sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging [1][2] - The investment group targets high-yield, dividend growth opportunities, offering portfolios with dividend yields up to 10% [2] - The group provides research on various investment vehicles including REITs, ETFs, closed-end funds, preferreds, and dividend champions [2] Group 2 - The article emphasizes the potential of sleeper stocks in the AI-adjacent space, highlighting companies like Cisco Systems, Inc. and Applied Materials, Inc. that may take time to gain traction [2]

Core Insights - HPE has announced a strategic collaboration with 2degrees to develop a private AI platform aimed at enhancing AI-driven innovation and modernizing 2degrees' technology environment [1][2][4] Group 1: Collaboration and Technology - The partnership focuses on creating a purpose-built private AI platform using HPE Private Cloud AI, which will enable 2degrees to deliver more agile and scalable solutions while ensuring data sovereignty [1][2][4] - The new AI platform will allow 2degrees to dynamically allocate resources across various AI use cases, optimizing network operations and reducing internal development cycles [2][3] Group 2: Benefits and Applications - The collaboration is expected to improve network performance, making it more resilient and predictable, while also enabling faster development and release of new products and features [3][5] - Initial AI use cases include autonomous network operations, predictive maintenance, and AI-powered capacity planning, which will enhance the overall customer experience [5][6] Group 3: Commitment to Data Sovereignty - 2degrees emphasizes its commitment to data sovereignty, ensuring that customer and operational data remain under New Zealand jurisdiction, which is increasingly important amid complex global data regulations [4][6] - The partnership with HPE is seen as a benchmark for how New Zealand organizations can responsibly utilize AI while maintaining control over their data [4][6]

Founded in 1939, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) develops intelligent solutions in the United States and internationally. The company has a market capitalization of $28.1 billion and operates in Server, Hybrid Cloud, Networking, Financial Services, Corporate Investments and Other segments. The Spring, Texas-based company is expected to release its Q1 2026 earnings soon. Ahead of the event, analysts expect the company’s EPS to be $0.51 on a diluted basis, up 30.8% from $0.39 in the year-ago quart ...

Summary of the Conference Call Transcript Industry Overview - The report covers the **US IT hardware and distributors** sector, with specific focus on companies such as **DELL**, **Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)**, **NetApp (NTAP)**, **TD SYNNEX (SNX)**, **Penguin Solutions (PENG)**, **Super Micro Computer Inc (SMCI)**, and **HP Inc (HPQ)** [1][4]. Core Insights Hardware Demand Environment - General consensus among investors indicates that **neocloud AI infrastructure demand** will remain strong through **2026**. However, there is skepticism regarding the demand outlook for **PCs**, **general servers**, and **storage**, with concerns that these markets may be adversely affected by **memory price hikes** and shortages. The forecast for **PC shipments** in **2026** is projected to decline by **4% year-over-year**, which is more pessimistic than the **IDC's** estimate of a **2% decline** [4][5]. Company-Specific Feedback - **DELL (Buy)**: Investors expressed concerns about potential **margin pressure** due to a deteriorating PC market, demand for core **ISG** (general server, storage), and the sustainability of the **AI server opportunity**. However, DELL is viewed as better positioned than smaller competitors due to its scale and business mix [4][5]. - **HPE (Buy)**: Discussions focused on execution risks in the **Networking** business, particularly regarding the integration of **Juniper's** offerings. While HPE is considered attractively valued, investors are uncertain about near-term catalysts for earnings revisions [4][5]. - **HPQ (Sell)**: Investors largely agree that the current PC market conditions will negatively impact HPQ's **Personal Systems** business, affecting both top-line growth and margins [5]. - **SMCI (Sell)**: There is a consensus that SMCI's margins will be pressured due to its business mix and product transitions. Investors are particularly interested in understanding SMCI's working capital needs against its revenue growth expectations [5]. Least Push Back - There was minimal opposition to the ratings on **HPQ** and **SMCI**, indicating a general agreement on the challenges these companies face [4][5]. Valuation and Key Risks DELL - **Rating**: Buy - **Target Price**: $165, based on a **12.0X** NTM+1Y EPS [6]. - **Key Risks**: Weaker than expected demand in the consumer and commercial PC markets, enterprise IT spending, and pricing pressures due to excess inventory [7]. HPE - **Rating**: Buy - **Target Price**: $31, reflecting **11X** NTM+1Y EPS [8]. - **Key Risks**: Lower corporate IT spending, competition from white box manufacturers, and integration challenges with Juniper [9]. NTAP - **Rating**: Buy - **Target Price**: $128, reflecting **14X** NTM+1 EPS [10]. - **Key Risks**: Supply shortages, demand declines for on-premise storage, and increased competition [11]. SNX - **Rating**: Buy - **Target Price**: $180, based on **11.0X** NTM+1Y EPS [12]. - **Key Risks**: Prolonged lower IT spending and shifts in sales models that bypass distributors [13]. PENG - **Rating**: Buy - **Target Price**: $25, based on a blended valuation methodology [14]. - **Key Risks**: Memory market cyclicality and competition from OEMs [14]. SMCI - **Rating**: Sell - **Target Price**: $26, reflecting **9X** NTM+1 EPS [16]. - **Key Risks**: Demand for AI servers and market share gains [16]. HPQ - **Rating**: Sell - **Target Price**: $21, based on **7.5X** NTM+1 EPS [17]. - **Key Risks**: Better-than-expected PC demand and recovery in office and consumer demand [17]. Additional Considerations - The report emphasizes the importance of understanding the broader market dynamics and individual company strategies in navigating the current challenges in the IT hardware sector [4][5].

Group 1 - Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) is recognized as a significant player in the AI sector, with Goldman Sachs analyst Katherine Murphy upgrading the stock from Neutral to Buy, setting a price target of $31 [1] - The upgrade follows HPE's acquisition of Juniper in July 2025, which is expected to enhance its business mix towards the higher-margin, faster-growing Networking segment [1] - Despite concerns regarding HPE's legacy IT hardware business and limited participation in AI infrastructure, the acquisition is seen as a strategic move to strengthen its position in the enterprise/campus networking market [2] Group 2 - The merger with Juniper positions HPE as the second-largest player in the enterprise/campus networking market, expanding its capabilities in data center networking [2] - HPE provides high-performance computing systems, AI software, and data storage solutions aimed at supporting complex AI workloads [2] - While HPE shows potential as an investment, there are other AI stocks perceived to offer greater upside with less downside risk [3]