Dell hits record annual revenue as it cashes in on the AI data center boom, and predicts more gains ahead

Core Insights - Dell has reported record annual revenue of $113.5 billion, marking a 19% increase for the financial year ending January 30, indicating a significant growth driven by the AI boom [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Performance - The Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) saw a remarkable 40% increase in annual revenue, with projections for continued sales growth into 2027 [2]. - AI-optimized server sales are expected to grow by 103%, contributing $50 billion in revenue for the current financial year [2]. - Dell closed over $64 billion in AI-optimized server orders and shipped more than $25 billion throughout the year, entering FY27 with a record backlog of $43 billion [4]. Group 2: Market Response - Dell's shares rose more than 10% in premarket trading following the announcement of these strong results, reflecting positive investor sentiment [2]. - The company has raised product prices across its divisions due to industry-wide shortages of key components, which led to some initial "sticker shock" among customers [4][5]. Group 3: Operational Changes - Dell has undergone significant operational restructuring, including a reduction of 25,000 staff members over the last two years, representing an almost 20% decrease [8]. - The company is preparing for a major overhaul of its internal systems, which is expected to be the "biggest transformation in company history" [9].