The Smartest Data Center/AI Stocks to Buy With $2,000 Right Now

Core Viewpoint - The AI and data center sector presents significant investment opportunities, with companies like Vertiv and nVent providing essential solutions and services that capitalize on the growing demand for data centers driven by AI applications [1]. Vertiv - Vertiv specializes in digital infrastructure for data centers and communication networks, offering products such as power management and thermal management solutions [2]. - The company has experienced a 10% increase in backlog from the end of 2024, indicating strong demand for data center investments [3]. - Following robust order and backlog growth, management raised the full-year organic revenue growth forecast to 18% from 16% [5]. - Despite maintaining profit margin guidance due to tariff uncertainties, free cash flow (FCF) is projected at $1.3 billion in 2025, with expectations of$1.65 billion and $1.79 billion in 2026 and 2027, respectively [6]. - With a market cap of$36.1 billion, Vertiv is expected to trade at 28 times and 22.5 times FCF in 2025 and 2026, respectively, which could be seen as a good value if AI/data center demand continues to rise [7]. nVent - nVent provides electrical connection and protection solutions, with a strategic focus on increasing exposure to data centers and power utilities [9]. - The acquisition of Avail Infrastructure Solutions for $975 million has resulted in infrastructure-related solutions now comprising 40$3.09 and $3.46 for 2025 and 2026, with FCF estimates of$406 million and $561 million, respectively, indicating attractive valuation multiples below 20 times earnings for 2025 and 17.4 times for 2026 [13].