Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the communication equipment industry [15]. Core Insights - Major cloud vendors such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta reported better-than-expected financial results, driven by strong demand for cloud services and advertising, with significant capital expenditure increases [4][7]. - AI applications are deeply penetrating various sectors, leading to accelerated investments in computing power and infrastructure [7][13]. - The overall trend indicates a robust growth trajectory for AI and computing power, with companies ramping up their capital expenditures to support this growth [13]. Summary by Sections Cloud Vendors: Strong Financial Performance and Demand - Google reported Q2 2025 revenues of $96.43 billion, up 13.8% year-on-year, with a net profit of $28.20 billion, up 19.4% [24][26]. - Amazon achieved Q2 2025 revenues of $167.70 billion, a 13.3% increase year-on-year, with a net profit of $18.16 billion, up 34.7% [34][36]. - Microsoft recorded Q4 FY25 revenues of $76.44 billion, an 18.1% increase year-on-year, with a net profit of $27.23 billion, up 23.6% [43][45]. - Meta's Q2 2025 revenues reached $47.52 billion, a 21.6% increase year-on-year, with a net profit of $18.34 billion, up 36.2% [51][54]. CPU/GPU: Product Iteration and Ecosystem Upgrade - AMD's Q2 2025 revenues were $7.69 billion, a 31.7% increase year-on-year, with a net profit of $0.87 billion, up 229.1% [60][62]. - The client and gaming segments saw record growth, while the data center business faced challenges due to export restrictions [62]. Switches: High-End Volume and Stable Profitability - Arista's revenue growth was driven by its AI Center strategy, with significant increases in AI network revenue [9]. - Celestica's communication market growth was primarily driven by high-performance switches, with revenue and performance outlooks adjusted upwards [9]. Optical Communication & Fiber Optics: Strong Shipments and Scale-Up Acceleration - Lumentum's optical module shipments surged, and coherent optical communication business saw rapid growth [10]. - Corning's optical communication business thrived, driven by enterprise networks, with expectations for significant future growth from scale-up scenarios [10]. Cables: Strong Orders and Active Capacity Expansion - Amphenol reported strong AI-related orders and exceeded expectations in IT data communication business growth [11]. Cooling: High Demand and Accelerated Liquid Cooling Adoption - Vertiv's revenue and profits saw significant growth, with a strong order backlog and upward guidance for the year [12]. Investment Recommendations: Accelerating Business Flywheel and Computing Power - The report recommends several companies across different segments, including optical modules, liquid cooling, fiber optics, and AI applications, highlighting their potential for growth [13].

We are back on halftime with final trading. Steve Weiss, you're up first. >> I bought some verdives.Stocks down over 20% since they reported a great quarter. Data center craze isn't dying anytime soon. >> Kevin Simpson, >> DraftKings football season kicks off this week in Philadelphia.Go Birds. >> Jason Snip, >> Palo Alto. I really like this cyber arc acquisition.I think we'll be a creative to the name. >> Jim Labenthal with the final word. >> Cityroup.And as the old commercial goes, and I'll only do this o ...

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates on Zacks Rank and Industry Rank, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum methodologies, helping investors identify stocks likely to outperform the market in the next 30 days [2][3] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Value Score - The Value Style Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score evaluates stocks based on projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to identify those with sustainable growth potential [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score identifies optimal times to invest based on price trends and earnings estimate changes [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for investors seeking attractive value, growth, and momentum [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to assist in portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +23.75% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [7][8] Stock to Watch: Vertiv Holdings Co. (VRT) - Vertiv is a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and services, serving industries such as cloud computing, healthcare, and energy [11] - VRT holds a 2 (Buy) Zacks Rank and a VGM Score of B, indicating strong potential [11] - The company is projected to have a year-over-year earnings growth of 34% for the current fiscal year, with upward revisions in earnings estimates [12] - VRT has an average earnings surprise of +10.7%, making it a strong candidate for growth investors [12]

Core Insights - Vertiv Holdings Co has successfully completed the acquisition of Great Lakes Data Racks & Cabinets for approximately $200 million, enhancing its leadership in high-density integrated infrastructure solutions for data centers and critical digital environments [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition expands Vertiv's portfolio in rack, cabinet, and integration solutions specifically for white space applications [1][2]. - Great Lakes, established in 1985 and headquartered in Edinboro, PA, operates manufacturing and assembly facilities in the U.S. and Europe, offering a range of products including standard and custom racks, integrated cabinets, and enhanced cable management options [3]. Group 2: Strategic Benefits - The integration of Great Lakes' expertise is expected to streamline infrastructure sourcing, enable faster deployment through pre-engineered solutions, and enhance operational efficiency with factory integration of Vertiv's power and cooling solutions [2]. - The acquisition will improve scalability for AI and edge computing applications and provide comprehensive support through Vertiv's global service network [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - Vertiv provides critical digital infrastructure solutions, combining hardware, software, analytics, and ongoing services to support vital applications across data centers, communication networks, and commercial facilities [5]. - The company operates in over 130 countries, addressing challenges in power, cooling, and IT infrastructure from the cloud to the edge of the network [5].

Core Insights - Vertiv (VRT) is a leading provider of thermal and power management solutions for data centers, with increasing demand driven by the complexity of AI hardware and edge computing [1][2] - In Q2 2025, Vertiv's net sales rose 35.1% year over year to $2.64 billion, and its backlog increased by 21% to $8.5 billion [1] - Order growth for Vertiv's solutions was approximately 15% year over year and 11% sequentially in Q2 2025, reflecting customer expansion plans in AI and data centers [2] Product and Innovation - Vertiv launched Vertiv OneCore, a scalable prefabricated data center solution that integrates power, thermal, and IT infrastructure, aimed at accelerating high-density deployments [3] - Collaborations with CoreWeave and Oklo have enhanced Vertiv's technology leadership, positioning the company for long-term growth in the evolving data center market [3] Competitive Landscape - Vertiv faces stiff competition from Super Micro Computer (SMCI) and Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE), both expanding their capabilities for hyperscale and enterprise AI data center deployments [4][6] - Super Micro Computer is enhancing its position with end-to-end AI rack-scale systems, while Hewlett-Packard is expanding through HPE Cray and ProLiant servers [5] Stock Performance and Valuation - Vertiv's shares have increased by 13.6% year to date, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector, which rose 11.8%, while the Zacks Computers - IT Services industry declined by 15.7% [7] - Vertiv's stock is trading at a premium with a trailing 12-month Price/Book ratio of 15.77X compared to the sector's 9.75X, and it has a Value Score of F [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q3 earnings is 99 cents per share, reflecting a 30.26% year-over-year growth, while the estimate for 2025 earnings is $3.82 per share, indicating a 34.04% increase from 2024 [12]

Industry Overview - The artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the demand for data center capacity to manage and store cloud computing data [1] - The generative AI market is projected to grow from $40 billion in 2022 to $1.3 trillion over the next decade, indicating a substantial opportunity for investors [2] Company Summaries Vertiv Holdings Co. - Vertiv Holdings is a leading provider of critical digital infrastructure and services, focusing on AI-enabled infrastructure solutions [3] - The company reported a 35% sales growth, reflecting strong market demand and expanded capabilities [4] - For 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects revenues of $9.97 billion, a 24.5% year-over-year increase, and earnings per share of $3.82, a 34% increase [6] - For 2026, revenues are expected to reach $11.55 billion, a 15.8% year-over-year increase, with earnings per share of $4.85, a 26.9% increase [7] Arista Networks Inc. - Arista Networks provides cloud networking solutions optimized for data centers and cloud computing environments [9] - The company is well-positioned with a strong AI-focused strategy, enhancing customer adoption and growth [10] - For 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate shows revenues of $8.73 billion, a 24.6% year-over-year increase, and earnings per share of $2.81, a 23.8% increase [15] - For 2026, revenues are projected at $10.28 billion, a 17.8% year-over-year increase, with earnings per share of $3.18, a 12.9% increase [17] Astera Labs Inc. - Astera Labs develops connectivity solutions for cloud computing and AI applications, with a focus on enhancing connectivity in AI environments [18] - The company expects significant growth from its Scorpio product line, which is projected to account for over 10% of total revenues in 2025 [20] - For 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate anticipates revenues of $757.66 million, a 91.2% year-over-year increase, and earnings per share of $1.58, an 88.1% increase [25] - For 2026, revenues are expected to reach $984.46 million, a 29.9% year-over-year increase, with earnings per share of $1.97, a 24.1% increase [26]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that the increasing power density of AI chips and servers is driving the transition from air cooling to liquid cooling systems, which are expected to become the dominant solution in the AI era [2][4] - Vertiv predicts that by 2029, the power of a single AIGPU cabinet will exceed 1MW and a single AIPOD will exceed 500kW, posing challenges for cooling systems [2][4] - As rack density rises to 20kW, the advantages of liquid cooling become more pronounced, particularly in terms of energy efficiency and reduced system power consumption [2][4] Group 2 - The liquid cooling market in China is projected to grow by 67.0% year-on-year in 2024, reaching a market size of $2.37 billion, with a CAGR of 46.8% expected from 2024 to 2029 [4][5] - The global AI server liquid cooling market is estimated to reach $3.07 billion in 2025 and $8.58 billion in 2026 [4][5] - The liquid cooling industry is characterized by various technologies, with cold plate liquid cooling leading the way, while immersion and spray cooling are still in the early stages of technological exploration [3][4] Group 3 - The industry chain is rapidly evolving, with upstream components (cold plates, CDU, quick connectors) and midstream players (server manufacturers, solution providers) accelerating their layouts, while downstream cloud providers are adopting liquid cooling at scale [4][5] - Companies such as Vertiv (VRT.US), and others in the supply chain, are recommended for attention due to their technological leadership and active engagement in liquid cooling technology [5]

Core Viewpoint - The increasing demand for artificial intelligence is driving significant investment in data centers, benefiting companies like Vertiv, which has seen its stock rise by 84% since March [1]. Group 1: Company Performance - Vertiv's sales guidance for 2025 has shown a consistent upward trend, with an increase from $9.125 million in February to $9.925 million in July, representing an 8.7% increase [4]. - The adjusted operating profit guidance has also increased, but at a slower rate, from $1.910 million in February to $2.030 million in July, reflecting a 2.8% increase [4]. - Free cash flow guidance has improved from $1.275 million in February to $1.375 million in July, marking a 7.7% increase [4]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The growth in the data center market is primarily driven by the rising demand for artificial intelligence applications, indicating a multi-year expansion in data center spending [6]. - Vertiv is positioned to benefit from this trend, particularly through its collaboration with Nvidia in developing power systems for next-generation data centers [6]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Provided that the tariff environment remains stable, future orders and revenue increases for Vertiv are expected to lead to significant profit and cash flow growth [5]. - The company is in the early stages of capitalizing on the expanding data center market, suggesting that it is not too late for investment opportunities [7].

Core Insights - Investors are encouraged to focus on companies that generate strong returns after covering all expenses, emphasizing the importance of profitability over loss-making firms [1] - NVIDIA, Vertiv, and Mastercard are highlighted as top investment picks for the year due to their high net income ratios [2] Profitability Metrics - The net income ratio is a key indicator of a company's profitability, representing the percentage of net income relative to total sales revenues, with a higher ratio indicating better revenue generation and expense management [3] - Additional screening parameters include Zacks Rank, trailing 12-month sales and net income growth, and a strong buy percentage rating, which help identify potential winning stocks [4][5] Company Profiles - **NVIDIA**: Engages in graphics, computing, and networking solutions globally, with a 12-month net profit margin of 51.7% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [5] - **Vertiv**: Provides infrastructure technologies for data centers, achieving a 12-month net profit margin of 8.9% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6] - **Mastercard**: Offers global payment processing services, with a 12-month net profit margin of 44.9% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [7]

Core Industry Insights - Applied Digital (APLD) and Vertiv Holdings (VRT) are central to the digital infrastructure expansion, driven by increasing demand for data center capacity due to AI, cloud computing, and high-performance computing workloads [2][3] - Global data center capital expenditures are projected to grow at a 21% CAGR through 2029, reaching approximately $1.2 trillion, benefiting both APLD and VRT [3] Company Performance: Applied Digital (APLD) - APLD has shifted from cryptocurrency mining to becoming a dedicated AI infrastructure provider, capitalizing on the growth of AI and machine learning workloads [5] - In Q4 fiscal 2025, APLD reported revenues of $38 million, a 41% increase year over year, and achieved positive adjusted EBITDA of $1 million [6] - APLD's partnership with CoreWeave is expected to generate around $7 billion in contracted revenue over 15 years for 250 megawatts of critical IT load [7] - The company has improved construction efficiency, reducing deployment timelines from 24 months to 12-14 months [7] - APLD's North Dakota locations provide low-cost energy and innovative cooling systems, enhancing its competitive position in the market [8] Company Performance: Vertiv Holdings (VRT) - VRT is a leading provider of thermal and power management solutions for high-density data centers, with a broad product portfolio addressing critical infrastructure needs [9] - In Q2 2025, VRT's net sales rose 35% year over year to $2.64 billion, with quarterly orders surpassing $3 billion for the first time [10][11] - VRT's strategic partnerships and acquisitions, including the $200 million acquisition of Great Lakes, enhance its capabilities in AI data center offerings [12] Stock Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, APLD shares have increased by 95.9%, while VRT shares have appreciated by 26.5% [13] - Both companies are currently considered overvalued, with APLD trading at a forward Price/Sales ratio of 12.98X compared to VRT's 5.07X [16] - Earnings estimates show APLD's first quarter fiscal 2026 loss is expected to be 6 cents per share, improving by 33.33% over the past 30 days [19] - VRT's third-quarter 2025 earnings estimate is pegged at 98 cents per share, reflecting a 28.95% year-over-year increase [20] Conclusion - Both APLD and VRT are well-positioned to benefit from the AI-driven expansion in data center infrastructure, with APLD showing a more accelerated growth path [21][22] - VRT maintains strong growth visibility through its product portfolio and industry partnerships, but its expansion is less aggressive compared to APLD [22]