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]

Market Overview - The Data Center Power Management Market was valued at USD 22.0 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 40.1 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 7.80% from 2025 to 2032 [1][5]. Growth Drivers - The market is experiencing transformative growth driven by increasing global data consumption, energy-efficient infrastructure services, and the expansion of cloud and hyperscale data centers [2]. - Intelligent power solutions that integrate with renewable energy sources to monitor real-time power consumption are preferred by organizations to reduce operational costs and carbon footprints [2]. Regional Insights - In the U.S., the market was valued at USD 5.9 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 10.6 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 7.57% [3]. - North America accounted for 35% of global revenue in 2024, supported by advanced digital infrastructure and early adoption of cloud technologies [12]. - The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to grow the fastest, driven by significant investments in digital infrastructure and government-led renewable energy initiatives [13]. Market Segmentation By Component - The hardware segment held the largest market share at 48% in 2024, driven by essential components like Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems and Power Distribution Units (PDUs) [6]. - The services segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing complexity of data center environments [7]. By Data Center Type - Hyperscale data centers led the market with a 26% revenue share in 2024, essential for handling large data workloads and supporting cloud services [8]. - Edge data centers are projected to witness the highest CAGR, driven by the demand for low-latency processing and real-time analytics [9]. By Industry - The IT & Telecom sector held the largest share in 2024, fueled by the demand for cloud computing and the expansion of 5G networks [10]. - The retail sector is expected to record the fastest CAGR, driven by the growth of e-commerce and the need for robust IT infrastructure [11]. Key Players - Major players in the market include Schneider Electric, Eaton Corporation, ABB Ltd., Vertiv Holdings Co., Siemens AG, Delta Electronics, Huawei Technologies, Rittal GmbH & Co. KG, Tripp Lite, and Legrand SA [4]. Recent Developments - Schneider Electric launched the Galaxy VXL, a compact UPS for AI workloads, and partnered with NVIDIA for a liquid-cooled AI cluster design [16]. - Vertiv introduced the MegaMod CoolChip, a modular data center solution that reduces deployment time by up to 50% [16].

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers tools to enhance investor confidence and market engagement through daily updates and research resources [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores provide a rating system for stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, aiding investors in selecting securities likely to outperform the market [2][3] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Value Score - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales to find attractive investment opportunities [3] Growth Score - The Growth Score emphasizes a company's financial health and future growth potential, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score is designed for traders looking to capitalize on price trends, utilizing recent price changes and earnings estimate shifts to identify high-momentum stocks [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines Value, Growth, and Momentum Scores, serving as a comprehensive indicator for stock selection alongside the Zacks Rank [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to simplify portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +23.75% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [7][8] - There are over 800 stocks rated 1 or 2, which can be overwhelming for investors [8] Stock Example: Vertiv Holdings Co. (VRT) - Vertiv is a key player in critical digital infrastructure for various essential industries, including cloud computing and healthcare [11] - Currently rated 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of B, VRT has a Momentum Score of A and has seen a 15.5% increase in shares over the past month [11][12] - Analysts have revised VRT's earnings estimate upwards, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate rising by $0.21 to $3.76 per share, and an average earnings surprise of +10.7% [12]

Core Insights - The earnings season has highlighted increased data center investments from major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms, driven by the AI revolution [1] - The global data center market is projected to grow from $347.60 billion in 2024 to $652.01 billion in 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2% [2] - Investors are shifting focus towards companies that will benefit from infrastructure spending related to data centers [2] Company Summaries Johnson Controls International (JCI) - JCI plays a crucial role in data center infrastructure, particularly in cooling systems necessary for high-density AI chip environments [4][5] - The company’s HVAC systems are designed to improve energy efficiency, addressing the increasing pressure on data center operators to reduce power usage effectiveness (PUE) [5] - JCI's stock has seen a drop of approximately 7.5% before its earnings report, but analysts project a 17% earnings growth in the next 12 months, with a consensus price target of $105.17 [6] American Tower (AMT) - AMT is recognized for its role in the 5G buildout and is making significant investments in edge data centers and fiber interconnection assets [8] - The stock has increased by 15.7% in 2025, reversing a negative total return trend over the past five years, and offers a dividend yield of 3.21% [9] - AMT reported slight earnings beats, and its forward P/E ratio of around 20x suggests it is attractively valued, with a consensus price target of $243.88 indicating a potential 15% upside [10] Vertiv (VRT) - Vertiv has delivered an impressive 824% gain over the last five years, currently trading close to its consensus price target of $145.54 [12] - The company is expected to see increased demand for its liquid cooling technology, supported by positive earnings reports [13] - Despite its strong performance, VRT appears overvalued in the short term, and investors may want to wait for a pullback before entering [14]

Core Viewpoint - The successful implementation of a national-level intelligent computing hub project in Tibet by Vertiv demonstrates the company's exceptional product strength, project management capabilities, and high-quality rapid delivery ability, overcoming extreme environmental challenges and tight deadlines [1][8][14]. Group 1: Project Overview - The project was initiated in April and required completion within a stringent 40-day timeline, encompassing design, manufacturing, transportation, and deployment [1][3]. - Vertiv achieved a remarkable delivery standard of "0 exceptions, 0 rework, 0 delays" during the project [7][14]. Group 2: Challenges Faced - The project faced five significant challenges due to the high-altitude environment: thin air affecting cooling efficiency, frequent voltage fluctuations, intense UV radiation, drastic temperature drops at night, and physiological limits for construction personnel [3][4]. - These challenges created multiple technical barriers, testing both product performance and the responsiveness of equipment manufacturers [3]. Group 3: Solutions Implemented - Vertiv completed a comprehensive solution design in just 5 days, leveraging its customization capabilities [4]. - The cooling system utilized Vertiv™ Liebert® PEX4 Plus precision air conditioning, while the power supply relied on Vertiv™ Liebert® APM2 series UPS, achieving an efficiency of 97.5% [5]. - The overall power distribution system was based on the new generation Vertiv™ APT2.0 prefabricated power module, significantly shortening the construction period [5]. Group 4: Delivery Mechanism - Vertiv broke down the 40-day timeline into 960 hours, ensuring precise control over each hour [6]. - The company implemented a detailed production management system, prefabricated solutions, resilient logistics, and digital delivery control to ensure timely project completion [6]. Group 5: Project Outcome - The project was completed ahead of schedule, with the system powered on by the 35th day, showcasing Vertiv's engineering capabilities and high-quality delivery [7]. - The successful execution of the project highlighted Vertiv's comprehensive strengths in product performance, project management, and rapid delivery capabilities [8][14]. Group 6: Company Background - Vertiv, formerly Emerson Network Power, is a global leader in digital infrastructure solutions with over 50 years of experience, serving various sectors including telecommunications, data centers, and renewable energy [14][15]. - The company has a strong presence in China with three R&D centers and two manufacturing bases, providing reliable products and professional services across the country [15].

Core Insights - Vertiv has launched Vertiv™ OneCore, a scalable prefabricated solution designed to simplify and accelerate high-density data center deployments globally [1][2][3] Product Features - Vertiv OneCore integrates power, thermal, and IT infrastructure technologies into a single factory-assembled system, reducing on-site complexity and compressing project timelines [1][2] - The solution supports scalable power capacity ranging from 5 to 50 MW, catering to the growing energy demands for AI and high-density deployments [5] - It offers high rack density flexibility, configurable for 96 to 944 racks, accommodating low to extreme densities based on IT requirements [5] - Integrated thermal and power systems provide energy-efficient cooling and power infrastructure, utilizing advanced heat rejection systems and scalable UPS systems [5] - The design allows for concurrent maintainability, ensuring system resilience during maintenance or upgrades [5] - Vertiv OneCore operates efficiently in diverse global climates, with temperature support ranging from -20°C to 55°C (-4°F to 131°F) [5] - The solution includes advanced redundancy options for both fluid networks and electrical systems, enhancing reliability [5] - It is compatible with a broad range of voltage inputs, meeting various regional standards [5] Sustainability and Support - Vertiv OneCore supports sustainability strategies through increased efficiency and reduced power requirements, with a flexible design that adapts to evolving technology standards [6] - Comprehensive post-deployment service and support are provided, including expert-led commissioning and proactive maintenance programs [5][6]