The Motley Fool·2026-01-07 02:04Core Viewpoint - Vertiv has significantly outperformed the S&P 500 over the past five years, but smaller AI stocks like Iren may present better investment opportunities due to their higher growth potential [1][2]. Company Performance - Vertiv's stock has increased by 39% over the past year and over 550% in the last five years, driven by investor interest in its liquid cooling solutions for data centers [1]. - In Q3, Vertiv reported a year-over-year revenue growth of 29%, but guidance for Q4 suggests a slowdown with expected growth of 18% to 22% [6]. Comparison with Iren - Iren's stock price has more than quadrupled in the past year, indicating a strong growth trajectory, and it has a market cap of $12 billion compared to Vertiv's $67 billion [2][7]. - Iren is projected to generate $20 billion in annual recurring revenue within five to ten years, supported by a significant deal with Microsoft worth $9.7 billion [3][4]. Revenue Projections - Iren aims for $3.4 billion in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2026, up from $3.1 million in fiscal 2024 and $16.4 million in fiscal 2025 [4]. - Management has indicated expectations of reaching $200 million to $250 million in annual recurring revenue by December 2025, suggesting potential to exceed the $3.4 billion target [5]. Market Dynamics - The smaller market cap of Iren allows for potentially greater stock price movements, which could benefit investors seeking faster growth compared to Vertiv [7].