The world's top hyperscalers could spend more than $500 billion to expand their artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure this year, according to Goldman Sachs' (NYSE: GS) and FactSet's latest estimates. That's more than double their $237 billion in capex in 2024, and that figure should keep climbing over the next few years as the AI market expands. There are plenty of ways to capitalize on that AI boom. However, Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX) is one of the simplest and safest plays on that secular expansion, ...

Market Overview - The U.S. stock market experienced a slight decline on December 26, 2025, primarily due to low trading volume following the Christmas holiday, with many institutional investors absent for the year [1] - Major indexes such as the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq saw small dips, ending short winning streaks observed earlier in the week [1][9] Investment Strategy - During the holiday season, equity investors may favor dividend-growth stocks over high price-growth stocks, as companies with a consistent history of dividend increases often exhibit strong financial health [2] - Dividend-growth stocks provide a defensive hedge against economic uncertainty and market volatility, making them attractive during periods of low market activity [4] Dividend Growth Stocks - Stocks with a strong history of year-over-year dividend growth are considered healthier investments, offering greater potential for capital appreciation compared to simple dividend-paying stocks [3][6] - Five selected dividend-growth stocks include: - Woodward Inc. (WWD): Expected revenue growth of 11.1% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 15.20%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.36% [10] - Enersys (ENS): Projected revenue growth of 4% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 15%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.70% [11] - Donaldson (DCI): Anticipated revenue growth of 3.5% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 10%, and an annual dividend yield of 1.31% [12] - Rockwell Automation (ROK): Expected revenue growth of 5.8% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 12.4%, and an annual dividend yield of 1.38% [13] - Vertiv Holdings (VRT): Projected revenue growth of 27.5% for fiscal 2025, long-term earnings growth rate of 30.2%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.15% [14] Stock Selection Criteria - Stocks selected for their strong fundamentals include criteria such as: - 5-Year Historical Dividend Growth Greater Than Zero [6] - 5-Year Historical Sales Growth Greater Than Zero [7] - 5-Year Historical EPS Growth Greater Than Zero [7] - Next 3-5 Year EPS Growth Rate Greater Than Zero [7] - Price/Cash Flow Less Than Industry Median [8] - 52-Week Price Change Greater Than S&P 500 [8]

Core Insights - Equinix, Inc. is a data center REIT with a market cap of $76.5 billion, providing colocation and digital infrastructure solutions globally [1] Performance Overview - Over the past 52 weeks, Equinix shares have declined by 14.3%, while the S&P 500 Index has gained 12.3% [2] - Year-to-date, the stock is down 17.4%, compared to a 12.5% increase in the S&P 500 [2] - Compared to the Global X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF, which has risen 19.2% over the past 52 weeks and 23.4% year-to-date, Equinix's underperformance is notable [3] Financial Results - In Q3, Equinix reported total revenue of $2.3 billion, a 5.2% year-over-year increase, meeting consensus estimates [3] - The company's AFFO per share increased by 8.6% year-over-year to $9.83, surpassing consensus estimates by 6.2% [3] - Equinix raised its fiscal 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of $4.5 billion to $4.6 billion and projected AFFO per share between $37.95 and $38.77 [3] Analyst Expectations - For the current fiscal year ending in December, analysts expect FFO per share to decline by 2.9% year-over-year to $34.01 [4] - Equinix has consistently topped consensus estimates in the last four quarters [4] - The consensus rating among 30 analysts is a "Strong Buy," with 21 "Strong Buy," three "Moderate Buy," and six "Hold" ratings [4] Price Target - Andy Yu from DBS maintained a "Buy" rating on Equinix with a price target of $1,218, indicating a potential upside of 56.3% from current levels [5]

Core Insights - Digital Realty Trust (DLR) reported a third-quarter 2025 core funds from operations (FFO) per share of $1.89, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.78, with a year-over-year increase of 13.2% [1][8] - The company's operating revenues reached $1.58 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.52 billion, and reflecting a 10.2% year-over-year growth [2][8] - DLR raised its 2025 core FFO guidance range to $7.32-$7.38, indicating continued strong demand [10] Financial Performance - The company achieved "Same-Capital" cash net operating income (NOI) growth of 8% [2] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $867.8 million, marking a 14.4% increase year over year [4] - Total revenues are projected to be between $6.025 billion and $6.075 billion, with adjusted EBITDA expected in the range of $3.300 billion to $3.350 billion [11] Leasing and Revenue Growth - DLR signed total bookings estimated to generate $201 million of annualized GAAP rental revenues, with significant contributions from the 0-1 megawatt category and interconnection [3] - Renewal leases during the quarter generated $192 million of annualized cash rental revenues, with rental rates increasing by 8% on a cash basis and 11.5% on a GAAP basis [4] Portfolio Activity - The company acquired a property in the Los Angeles metro area for $49 million, expected to support 32 megawatts of IT capacity [5] - DLR disposed of non-core data centers in Atlanta, Boston, and Miami for gross proceeds of $90 million, and a non-core data center in Dallas for $33 million post-quarter [6] Balance Sheet and Debt Management - As of September 30, 2025, DLR had cash and cash equivalents of $3.30 billion, down from $3.55 billion as of June 30, 2025 [7] - The total debt outstanding was $18.2 billion, with a net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of 4.9X and a fixed charge coverage of 4.6X [7][9] Market Sentiment - Following the positive earnings report, shares of DLR closed approximately 1.7% higher [1]

Core Insights - Digital Realty Trust (DLR) is expected to report third-quarter 2025 results on October 23, with anticipated year-over-year growth in revenues and funds from operations (FFO) per share [1] Financial Performance - In the previous quarter, DLR reported a core FFO per share of $1.87, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.74, driven by steady leasing momentum and improved rental rates [2] - Over the last four quarters, DLR's core FFO per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate three times, with an average beat of 2.89% [2] Market Trends and Growth Drivers - The increasing adoption of cloud computing, Internet of Things, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving demand for data centers, benefiting DLR's leasing activity and revenue growth [3] - DLR's strategic focus on providing infrastructure for AI adoption is fostering partnerships with new clients, contributing to its leasing activity and revenue stability [4] Revenue Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for rental revenues in Q3 2025 is $1.03 billion, reflecting a 7.7% increase from $956.4 million in the same quarter last year [5] - Total revenue estimates for the quarter stand at $1.52 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 6.4% [5] Analyst Sentiment - Despite the positive revenue outlook, analysts' confidence in DLR's quarterly FFO per share has not increased, with the estimate remaining at $1.78, representing a 6.6% year-over-year growth [6] - The current Earnings ESP for DLR is -1.05%, and it holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating uncertainty regarding a surprise in FFO this quarter [7] Competitive Landscape - Other REITs such as Ventas (VTR) and Extra Space Storage (EXR) are highlighted as potential stocks to watch, with favorable Earnings ESPs and Zacks Ranks [8][10]

Core Insights - Digital Realty (DLR) is positioned for growth due to strong leasing activity, robust demand for data centers, a diverse tenant base, strategic acquisitions, and a solid balance sheet [1][7]. Leasing Activity - In Q2 2025, Digital Realty signed new leases totaling $135 million, with $45 million in leases greater than 1 megawatt, $72.5 million in 0-1 megawatt leases, and $17.3 million in interconnection bookings [4]. Market Demand - The data center market is booming, driven by cloud computing, IoT, and Big Data, with significant growth expected in AI, autonomous vehicles, and virtual/augmented reality over the next five to six years [3]. Tenant Base - Digital Realty has a high-quality, diversified customer base with over 5,000 global customers, including major companies like IBM, Oracle, LinkedIn, and Meta Platforms [5][7]. Expansion Efforts - The company is expanding through strategic investments, acquiring land parcels in key metros, including a $120 million parcel in Atlanta and an $11 million parcel in Dallas, which will support revenue growth [8]. Development Pipeline - As of June 30, 2025, Digital Realty has 9.8 million square feet under active development and 4.6 million square feet held for future development, with expected capital expenditures of $3-$3.5 billion for 2025 [10]. Financial Strength - Digital Realty exited Q2 2025 with cash and cash equivalents of $3.55 billion, an increase from $2.32 billion in the previous quarter, indicating strong liquidity [11]. - The company's debt maturity schedule is well-structured, with a net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of 5.1X and a fixed charge coverage ratio of 4.7X as of June 30, 2025 [12].

Core Insights - Digital Realty's shares have increased by 17% over the past six months, significantly outperforming the industry's decline of 0.3% [1][8] - The company is well-positioned for growth due to strong demand for data centers, robust leasing activity, a diverse tenant base, strategic investments, and a solid balance sheet [1][3] Company Developments - The launch of the Digital Realty Innovation Lab allows partners and customers to test AI and hybrid cloud connectivity before large-scale deployment [2] - Analysts have revised the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company's 2025 funds from operations (FFO) per share upward by 15 cents to $7.20 [2] Market Dynamics - The growth of cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and Big Data is driving demand for data center REITs like Digital Realty, with strong demand in top-tier markets [3] - Despite high occupancy rates, these markets are absorbing new construction rapidly [3] Customer Base and Revenue Stability - Digital Realty has a high-quality, diversified customer base, including tenants from various industries, ensuring stable revenue generation [4] - The company operates 310 data centers across more than 50 metropolitan areas, with a majority of tenants being investment-grade [4] Strategic Investments - The company has made strategic land acquisitions, including a 100-acre parcel in Atlanta for $120 million and a 167-acre parcel in Dallas for $11 million, expected to support significant IT capacity [5][6] - Additional land parcels were acquired for around $6 million in the Chicago area, contributing to future revenue growth [6] Financial Position - Digital Realty ended Q2 2025 with $3.55 billion in cash, indicating strong liquidity and support for expansion [8][10] - The company's net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio was 5.1X, and its fixed charge coverage was 4.7X, reflecting a solid balance sheet [10] - The company holds favorable credit ratings (BBB from Fitch and S&P, Baa2 from Moody's), which provide advantageous access to debt markets [10] Future Outlook - The company is expected to continue its growth trajectory, with capital expenditures for development activities projected between $3.0 billion and $3.5 billion for 2025 [9][11]

Core Viewpoint - Equinix, Inc. (EQIX) is expected to report second-quarter 2025 results on July 30, with anticipated revenue growth but a potential decline in adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share [1][9]. Financial Performance - In the previous quarter, Equinix reported an AFFO of $9.67 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.96 per share, driven by increased revenues from strong demand for digital infrastructure [2]. - Over the last four quarters, EQIX's AFFO per share surpassed consensus estimates three times, with an average beat of 3.6% [2]. Demand Drivers - The company is likely to benefit from robust demand for interconnected data center infrastructure, fueled by enterprises' and service providers' integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation efforts [3]. - Strong demand for Equinix's interconnected ecosystem is supported by accelerated enterprise cloud adoption and increasing customer needs for interconnected data center space [4]. Revenue Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for colocation revenues is $1.57 billion, reflecting a 4.6% increase from $1.50 billion in the prior-year period, while interconnection revenues are estimated at $398.9 million, indicating a 6.7% growth from $374 million [5]. - Equinix projects revenues between $2.244 billion and $2.264 billion for Q2 2025, with a consensus estimate of $2.26 billion, representing a 4.5% year-over-year increase [6]. Cost Considerations - High interest expenses are expected to impact the company's quarterly performance, with an estimated year-over-year increase of 12.6% for interest expenses [7]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly AFFO per share has been revised down by one cent to $9.19, indicating a 0.3% decrease from the prior-year quarter [7]. Earnings Prediction - Despite anticipated revenue growth, EQIX's AFFO per share may decline by 0.3% due to rising interest expenses [9]. - The current Earnings ESP for Equinix is -1.20%, and it holds a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell), suggesting limited potential for an AFFO surprise this quarter [10].

Core Insights - Digital Realty Trust (DLR) reported a second-quarter 2025 core funds from operations (FFO) per share of $1.87, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.74, with a year-over-year increase of 13.3% [1][9] - The company raised its 2025 core FFO guidance range to $7.15-$7.25 from the previous range of $7.05-$7.15, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.04 below the new guidance [12] Financial Performance - DLR's operating revenues for the second quarter reached $1.49 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.44 billion, and reflecting a year-over-year increase of 10.1% [2][9] - The company reported "Same-Capital" cash net operating income (NOI) growth of 4.4% [2] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $823.3 million, marking a 13.3% increase year over year [5] Leasing and Revenue Growth - DLR signed total bookings estimated to generate $135 million of annualized GAAP rental revenues, with significant contributions from the 0-1 megawatt category and interconnection services [4] - Renewal leases signed during the quarter resulted in $177 million of annualized cash rental revenues, with rental rates increasing by 7.3% on a cash basis and 9.9% on a GAAP basis [5] Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives - DLR partnered with Oracle Solution Centers to enhance digital infrastructure offerings, combining data center services with Oracle's deployment-ready frameworks [3] Portfolio Activity - During the quarter, DLR acquired land parcels in Atlanta and Dallas for $120 million and $11 million respectively, expected to support significant IT capacity [6] - Additional land parcels were acquired for around $6 million in the Chicago metro area to expand its Franklin Park campus [7] Capital and Debt Management - As of the end of the second quarter, DLR had cash and cash equivalents of $3.55 billion, up from $2.32 billion at the end of the first quarter [10] - The company had total debt outstanding of $18.5 billion, with a net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of 5.1X and a fixed charge coverage of 4.7X [10][11] Future Projections - DLR projects total revenues for 2025 in the range of $5.925-$6.025 billion, with adjusted EBITDA expected between $3.200-$3.300 billion [13]

Core Insights - Digital Realty (DLR) shares have increased by 15.4% over the past three months, outperforming the industry growth of 5.3% [1][8] - The company is experiencing robust demand for data centers, supported by strong leasing activity, a diverse tenant base, strategic acquisitions, and a solid balance sheet [1][3][4] Company Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Digital Realty's 2025 funds from operations (FFO) per share has been revised slightly upward to $7.04 [2] - The company's backlog of signed but not commenced leases reached a record high of over $1.3 billion as of March 31, 2025 [3][8] - Digital Realty has a diversified customer base, primarily consisting of investment-grade tenants from various industries, ensuring stable revenue generation [4] Growth Strategy - The company is making strategic investments in land and infrastructure, including the acquisition of approximately 100 acres in the Atlanta metro area for around $120 million, which is expected to support over 200 megawatts of IT capacity [5][8] - Digital Realty plans to incur capital expenditures for development activities in the range of $3.0 billion to $3.5 billion for 2025 [6] Financial Health - Digital Realty has a strong balance sheet with cash and cash equivalents of $2.32 billion as of the end of the first quarter of 2025 [9] - The company's net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio stands at 5.1X, and its fixed charge coverage is 4.9X, indicating solid financial stability [9] - The company holds favorable credit ratings of BBB (Stable Outlook) from Fitch, S&P, and Baa2 (Stable Outlook) from Moody's, which enhance its access to debt markets [9]