Exiting the first half of 2025, this key AI infrastructure enabler, Vertiv Holdings (NYSE: VRT ), delivered another robust quarter with double-digit growth across the top and bottom lines, thanks to continued demand momentum for theAs a finance enthusiast with experience in research, I am deeply engaged in studying diverse businesses, especially in the technology, industrial, and conglomerate sectors. I really like companies that have strong foundations and see them doing well in the long run. I enjoy writi ...

As a finance enthusiast with experience in research, I am deeply engaged in studying diverse businesses, especially in the technology, industrial, and conglomerate sectors. I really like companies that have strong foundations and see them doing well in the long run. I enjoy writing about these businesses, telling their stories, strategies, and financial details. I use a mix of looking at their finances and writing to give insights into how well companies might do, helping people understand the market better ...

Key Takeaways Vertiv works with Nvidia and is a key behind-the-scenes winner in the AI age. The AI infrastructure stock trades 12% below its price target and looks ready to break out. The company's improving earnings outlook earns VRT a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Oracle bolstered the case for the artificial intelligence spending boom when it reported its quarterly results on September 9. The cloud computing giant’s backlog soared 359% to $455 billion, driven by spending from AI hyperscalers like Amazon, a ...

It is time. It's time for the light round. My step and then the lightning round is over.Are you ready to light. Let's start with Gary in Texas. Gary.Hey Jim. Been watching you for years. Love the club.Thank you. You make money for everybody and there's no doubt in my mind that you are the man. Man, that was powerful praise.Thank you. Well, it's true. It's true.My son and grandson both have juvenile diabetes. They both wear pumps for years and uh well, my grandson's like 13 anyway. Uh they they're made by Ta ...

Question-and-Answer SessionClearly, very good demand in the market. Maybe not a surprise. I think you -- 35% organic for you guys last quarter, 1.2 book-to-bill. Oracle with some eye-popping numbers last night. So I guess from I think everyone knows that demand is strong, but for the investors and kind of on the outside looking in, what's the best way to gauge if things are accelerating, decelerating, getting better? What should we look for?Giordano AlbertazziCEO & Director Well, I think it is a combination ...

Vertiv (NYSE:VRT) FY Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Vertiv - **Date**: September 10, 2025 - **Key Speakers**: CEO Giordano Albertazzi, CFO David Fallon Industry Insights - **Market Demand**: Strong demand in the data center market with a reported **35% organic growth** last quarter and a **$1.2 book-to-bill ratio** [3][25] - **Pipeline Strength**: The strength of the pipeline is a critical indicator of future performance, defined as active commercial opportunities with quotes [5][6] - **Liquid Cooling**: The industry is shifting towards liquid cooling, which is expected to represent about **one-third of the total Total Addressable Market (TAM)** for data center cooling [9][10] - **CapEx Structure**: The growth in IT spending is increasing, but the physical infrastructure segment remains strong, indicating a healthy TAM for Vertiv [11][12] Key Company Strategies - **Focus on White Space**: Vertiv is increasing its presence in the white space of data centers, which is becoming a fertile ground for growth due to rising complexity in power and cooling distribution [12][14] - **Future-Proofing Infrastructure**: The company is collaborating with key players like NVIDIA to design future-proof data center infrastructures [16][19] - **Prefabrication Solutions**: Introduction of prefabricated solutions to significantly reduce fit-out time in data centers, enhancing time to revenue for customers [13][14] Growth Constraints and Capacity - **Growth Moderating Factors**: Power availability is a limiting factor in some regions, but there is no expectation of a cliff in demand. The construction nature of the data center industry also limits speed [25][26] - **Capacity Management**: Vertiv is expanding manufacturing capacity and ensuring service capacity grows in line with manufacturing to maintain operational leverage [27][29] Financial Performance - **Margins**: Gross margins faced pressure due to tariffs and operational challenges, but a recovery is projected with operating margins expected to reach **20% in Q3** and **over 23% in Q4** [33][34] - **Pricing Strategy**: The company is actively managing pricing to offset tariff impacts and is confident in maintaining a price-cost positive position moving forward [35][36] Regional Market Insights - **North America**: Strong growth with a **40% increase** in physical shipments [40] - **Europe**: Slow growth attributed to regulatory challenges, but strong pipelines and low vacancy rates in data centers suggest potential for future growth [42][43] - **Asia-Pacific**: Generally positive outlook, with specific mentions of growth opportunities in India and China [43] Conclusion - Vertiv is well-positioned in the data center market with strong growth indicators, a focus on innovative solutions, and strategic partnerships. The company is navigating challenges related to tariffs and capacity while maintaining a positive outlook for future performance.

U.S. stocks were mixed, with the Nasdaq Composite gaining around 100 points on Wednesday.Shares of Daktronics, Inc. DAKT rose sharply during Wednesday's session after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter financial results.Daktronics reported fiscal first-quarter 2026 net income of $16.5 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $4.9 million, or $0.11 per share, in the prior-year period. Adjusted earnings of $0.33 per share topped the $0.25 consensus estimate. Revenu ...

Question-and-Answer SessionThought we could start off with a demand question. The company reported very strong orders on your 2Q earnings call. Trailing 12-month orders were up 11% year-over-year. 2Q orders were up 15%. Maybe talk a bit more, Gio, if you could kick us off about what's driving some of that strength?Giordano AlbertazziCEO & Director Well, first of all, thanks for reminding the very good numbers we printed in the second quarter, very strong TTM. And I'd like to remind everyone that our competi ...

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) 2025 Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Vertiv - **Industry**: Data Center Infrastructure and Services Key Points Demand and Orders - **Strong Orders**: Trailing twelve-month orders increased by 11% year-over-year, with Q2 orders up 15% [3][4] - **Market Landscape**: The company is encouraged by the strong market landscape and backlog, with a robust pipeline that is strengthening quarter by quarter [4] - **Customer Base Expansion**: Growth is not limited to hyperscalers; there is significant demand from colocation markets and NeoCloud, indicating a broadening customer profile [5][6] AI and Enterprise Spending - **AI Influence**: There is optimism regarding enterprise spending on AI, although growth is not expected to match the pace of hyperscale and colocation [8] - **Regional Insights**: North America is leading in AI investments, while Asia shows encouraging growth, and Europe is lagging but has potential [10][11] Lead Times and Capacity - **Lead Times**: Average lead times remain around 12-18 months, but there is a trend of shrinking lead times due to operational improvements [16][18] - **Pipeline Visibility**: The company has visibility into projects extending beyond 12-18 months, indicating strong future demand [18] Technology Trends and Revenue Opportunities - **Revenue per Megawatt**: The revenue opportunity per megawatt remains in the range of $2.75 million to $3.5 million, with potential for higher density solutions [19][20] - **Innovation Focus**: Vertiv is focused on innovation in power and thermal management, with a strong emphasis on prefabrication and integrated systems [22][23] Competitive Positioning - **Market Share Gains**: Vertiv is gaining market share due to its strong legacy, innovation, and partnerships with key technology players [24][25] - **Service Differentiation**: The company emphasizes its service capabilities, with a highly experienced field engineer base and strong training programs [28][30] Financial Outlook - **Tariff Mitigation**: The company is confident in offsetting tariff costs by the end of 2025 through supply actions and pricing strategies [33][34] - **EBIT Margin Target**: Vertiv aims for a 25% EBIT margin by 2029, with a positive trajectory indicated by increasing operating margins [38] - **CapEx Plans**: Projected CapEx for 2025 is between $250 million and $300 million, with strong cash flow conversion expected [41][42] M&A Strategy - **M&A Potential**: With strong free cash flow, Vertiv is positioned to pursue both smaller and larger M&A opportunities to enhance its technology portfolio [45][46] - **Share Repurchase Strategy**: The company remains open to opportunistic share buybacks while balancing investments in growth and M&A [47] Additional Insights - **Operational Improvements in Europe**: The company is actively working on improving operations in Europe, where demand has been weaker compared to other regions [37] - **Long-term Strategy**: Vertiv's strategy includes a mix of organic growth, M&A, and share repurchases to maximize returns and capitalize on market opportunities [45][47]

Key Takeaways Vertiv benefits from strong orders, $8.5B backlog, and new launches like OneCore data center solutions.Amphenol expands with acquisitions and new liquid cooling connectors for AI data centers and EV charging.APH earnings estimates rose 59.79% year over year, outpacing VRT's 34.04% growth in 2025 projections.Vertiv (VRT) and Amphenol (APH) are major players in the AI Infrastructure space. While Vertiv delivers critical power and cooling solutions for data centers fueling the AI boom, Amphenol p ...