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3 Reasons to Hold ServiceNow Stock Despite a 42% Decline in 3 Months
ZACKS· 2026-02-09 19:35
Core Insights - ServiceNow's shares have declined by 41.9% over the past three months, underperforming the broader Computer and Technology sector and the Financial-Miscellaneous Services industry [2][3] - Concerns regarding short-term growth, rising AI and cloud spending, and acquisition integration risks have contributed to the stock's decline [3][10] - Despite the downturn, ServiceNow's fundamentals indicate potential for a hold position, supported by strong AI adoption and a discounted valuation [8][20] Company Performance - ServiceNow's stock has underperformed compared to competitors like SAP, Microsoft, and Salesforce, which saw declines of 19.3%, 20.8%, and 20.9% respectively [4] - The company is experiencing increased adoption of its AI-native products, with Now Assist exceeding $600 million in Annual Contract Value (ACV) and new ACV more than doubling year over year [9][10] - The growth in AI adoption is translating into platform expansion, with enterprises increasing AI use for customer service and operations [11] Competitive Landscape - Competitors such as SAP, Salesforce, and Microsoft are embedding service management and workflow automation into their larger enterprise platforms, posing challenges for ServiceNow [5] - ServiceNow is leveraging a rapidly expanding partner ecosystem, including collaborations with Microsoft, OpenAI, and industry-specific alliances, to enhance AI adoption and interoperability [12][13] Valuation and Market Position - ServiceNow's valuation remains attractive, with a forward 12-month Price/Sales (P/S) multiple of 6.48X compared to the industry average of 13.88X, indicating potential for appreciation [14] - The company is facing pressures from elevated AI spending, acquisition integration risks, and weak technical momentum, which may impact margins and investor sentiment in the near term [20]
APLD Strengthens Power and Cooling Stack: A Sign of More Upside?
ZACKS· 2026-01-13 17:20
Core Insights - Applied Digital (APLD) is focusing on enhancing AI infrastructure by investing in cooling and energy solutions to address power availability and thermal management challenges [1][9] Investment and Revenue Growth - APLD led a $25 million funding round in Corintis with a $15 million investment, which is aimed at improving cooling technologies [1] - The company reported $41.6 million in Data Center Hosting revenues during the fiscal second quarter, reflecting a 15% year-over-year increase [1][9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal third-quarter revenues is projected at $67.68 million, indicating a 27.89% year-over-year growth [4] Cooling Technology - Corintis' micro-channelled, direct-to-chip cold plates utilize microfluidic technology, allowing for consistent liquid flow and achieving temperatures up to three times lower than standard cold plates [2] - This technology may extend the lifecycle of cooling systems as hyperscalers upgrade their hardware, reducing the need for reinvestment [2] Power Solutions - APLD is collaborating with Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises to accelerate energy delivery, with a project valued over $1.5 billion to deliver 1 GW of power by 2028 [3] - This dedicated power generation aims to reduce reliance on constrained utility connections, potentially speeding up lease commencements for hyperscalers [3] Competitive Landscape - APLD faces competition from Vertiv and nVent Electric, both of which are also focused on the increasing power density in data centers [5] - Unlike its competitors, APLD integrates power and cooling within its owned campuses, which may provide advantages in energization and revenue conversion [6] Stock Performance and Valuation - APLD's stock has surged 301.3% over the past six months, significantly outperforming the broader Zacks Finance sector [7] - The company is currently considered overvalued, with a forward 12-month price/sales ratio of 24.36X compared to the sector's 3.02X [11]
Can APLD's AI Infrastructure Momentum Drive Revenue Growth in 2026?
ZACKS· 2026-01-06 16:45
Core Insights - Applied Digital (APLD) is transitioning from development to revenue generation with its AI infrastructure portfolio, particularly with the operational launch of Polaris Forge 1 and ongoing construction of new campuses [2][10] - The hyperscale data center market is experiencing a demand-supply imbalance, with an estimated $350 billion being deployed annually toward AI infrastructure, creating favorable conditions for developers like APLD [3] Company Developments - The Polaris Forge 1 campus has a 400-megawatt CoreWeave lease valued at approximately $11 billion over 15 years, with projections of generating around $500 million in annual net operating income once fully operational [4] - APLD has a 4-gigawatt active development pipeline and is negotiating for two new locations, with a proprietary cooling system that enhances operational efficiency [5] Financial Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for APLD's fiscal 2026 revenues is $280.9 million, indicating a year-over-year growth of 26.99% [5][10] - APLD's stock has increased by 212.6% over the past six months, significantly outperforming the broader Zacks Finance sector [8] Competitive Landscape - APLD faces competition from Riot Platforms and Equinix, with Riot Platforms shifting focus to high-density compute and Equinix leveraging its global scale and established relationships in the hyperscaler market [7] - Equinix is retrofitting existing facilities for AI workloads while expanding capacity, intensifying competitive dynamics for APLD [7] Valuation Metrics - APLD's stock is considered overvalued, with a forward 12-month price/sales ratio of 19.26X compared to the sector's 9.08X, and it holds a Value Score of F [11]
Reasons to Hold MSTR Stock Despite a 50% Decline in 3 Months
ZACKS· 2025-12-22 18:26
Core Insights - Strategy (MSTR), the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, has experienced a 49.7% decline in shares over the past three months, significantly underperforming the Zacks Finance sector's growth of 1.4% and the Zacks Financial-Miscellaneous Services industry's decline of 12.9% [1] Group 1: Performance and Market Position - The underperformance of MSTR is linked to Bitcoin price volatility, which closely ties earnings to Bitcoin movements, and a compression in the mNAV multiple [2] - MSTR's stock has lagged behind competitors such as CleanSpark (CLSK), Riot Platforms (RIOT), and MARA Holdings (MARA), which fell 13.5%, 15%, and 42.5% respectively during the same period [2] - MSTR holds approximately 671,268 BTC, establishing Bitcoin as its primary reserve asset, which provides a structural advantage over competitors [7][8] Group 2: Financial Strategy and Capital Structure - MSTR has raised about $6.7 billion through preferred securities, enhancing its capital flexibility and reducing reliance on convertible debt [11] - The company’s innovative digital credit and preferred securities platform has broadened funding options, with STRC becoming the largest U.S. IPO of 2025 [11] - MSTR's shares are trading at a price-to-book value of 0.91X, significantly lower than the industry average of 3.18X, indicating potential undervaluation [13] Group 3: Earnings and Valuation Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MSTR's 2025 earnings is $78.04 per share, with a projected decrease to $51.60 per share in 2026, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 33.88% [14][15] - MSTR's stock is currently trading below both the 50-day and 200-day moving averages, indicating a bearish trend [16] Group 4: Investment Recommendation - Despite the recent share price decline, MSTR retains long-term appeal due to its substantial Bitcoin holdings, flexible capital structure, and discounted valuation [19] - The combination of strong long-term fundamentals and short-term uncertainties suggests that maintaining a hold position is prudent for investors [19]
Circle Internet Group's Market Performance and Outlook
Financial Modeling Prep· 2025-12-02 17:00
Core Insights - Circle Internet Group (CRCL) is a significant player in the financial technology sector, particularly in the stablecoin market with its USDC offering [1] - The company faces intense competition from peers like IREN Limited and Cleanspark, which have recently outperformed CRCL [1][4] - Wolfe Research has initiated coverage on CRCL with an "Underperform" rating, reflecting challenges such as rising costs, competition, and regulatory hurdles [2][6] Financial Performance - CRCL's stock has seen a 33.5% decline over the past three months, attributed to rising costs, competition, and regulatory challenges [2][6] - The stock is currently priced at $75.94, with a recent decrease of 4.99% and a trading range between $75.24 and $79.84 [5] - Over the past year, the stock has fluctuated significantly, reaching a high of $298.99 and a low of $64, with a market capitalization of approximately $17.88 billion [5] Market Position - Despite the challenges, Circle Internet has experienced positive developments, including a surge in USDC circulation and on-chain activity, which has boosted engagement and market share [3] - The adoption of Circle's CPN has accelerated, supported by new global corridors and increased institutional activity [3] - In comparison to its industry peers, CRCL has underperformed, with the Zacks Financial-Miscellaneous Services industry declining by 9.5%, while the broader Zacks Finance sector gained 2.3% [4]
Circle Shares Dip 33% in 3 Months: Is it Wise to Hold the Stock Now?
ZACKS· 2025-12-01 17:05
Core Insights - Circle Internet Group (CRCL) shares have decreased by 33.5% over the past three months, underperforming the Zacks Financial-Miscellaneous Services industry, which declined by 9.5%, and the broader Zacks Finance sector, which gained 2.3% [1][2] - The decline is attributed to competitive pressures in the stablecoin market, rising operating costs, regulatory uncertainties, and execution risks related to Arc network development [2][7] - Despite challenges, the growth of USD Coin (USDC) and the Circle Payments Network (CPN) presents potential for recovery and growth [10][13] Stock Performance - CRCL is trading below the 50-day moving average, indicating a bearish trend and limited near-term upside [5] - The stock has underperformed key peers, with IREN Limited and Cleanspark seeing gains of 64.2% and 56.6%, respectively, while PayPal declined by 9.5% [1] Operating Costs and Financial Guidance - Adjusted operating expenses are expected to rise to $495-$510 million, up from previous guidance of $475-$490 million, reflecting increased investments and higher payroll taxes [8] - In Q3, adjusted operating expenses grew by 35% year over year due to headcount expansion and higher general and administrative costs [8] USDC Market Growth - USDC in circulation surged by 108% year over year, reaching $10.2 billion, driven by institutional demand and blockchain integration [10] - On-chain transaction volume increased by 580% year over year, with Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol volume jumping 640% [11][12] - USDC's market share of USD-backed stablecoins rose to 29%, an increase of 643 basis points, capturing 40% of all stablecoin transaction volume [12] Circle Payments Network (CPN) Expansion - CPN has gained traction with 29 enrolled financial institutions and 500 more evaluating integration [13] - The network's transaction volume reached $3.4 billion, representing over 100x growth in five months [14] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRCL's Q4 2025 earnings is 18 cents per share, with a full-year loss estimate improving to 87 cents per share, a $1.07 year-over-year improvement [15][16] Valuation and Investment Outlook - CRCL is trading at a forward price/sales ratio of 5.93X, lower than its median of 8.88X and the Zacks Finance sector's 8.9X, indicating potential upside [16] - Despite recent challenges, long-term fundamentals remain encouraging, suggesting a hold position for investors [17][18]
Will Applied Digital's Second Campus Unlock the Next Leg of Growth?
ZACKS· 2025-11-21 19:11
Core Insights - Applied Digital's Polaris Forge 2 development signifies the company's expansion into AI-focused data center infrastructure, starting with an initial 300 megawatts of IT load and potential scaling to a full gigawatt as power becomes available [1][2] - The success of Polaris Forge 1, which is fully leased at 400 megawatts and has approximately $11 billion in long-term contracted revenues, sets a precedent for the second campus [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 revenues is projected at $280.9 million, indicating potential growth as new capacity is deployed [1] Development Context - Polaris Forge 2 is being developed amid rising demand for liquid-cooled, high-density AI infrastructure, with limited power-ready sites available [2] - The project is designed to meet customer needs for clear construction schedules and advanced cooling capabilities as demand trends into 2026 and 2027 [2] Broader Infrastructure Factors - Applied Digital has 700 megawatts under construction and a 4-gigawatt active development pipeline, which may influence the pace of Polaris Forge 2's development [3] - Factors such as labor availability, material lead times, financing costs, and shifts in regional power markets could impact scheduling and spending for the project [3] Competitive Landscape - Applied Digital faces competition from both emerging and established providers, such as Riot Platforms and Equinix, who are also expanding their capacities for AI workloads [4] - Riot Platforms aims to exceed one gigawatt of future capacity, while Equinix operates over 260 data centers globally, focusing on power-dense environments [4] - APLD differentiates itself through its focus on purpose-built, liquid-cooled infrastructure and rapid development at sites like Polaris Forge 2 [4] Stock Performance and Valuation - Applied Digital's stock has increased by 179.7% year to date, significantly outperforming the broader Zacks Finance sector and the Zacks Financial-Miscellaneous Services industry, both of which returned 11.2% [5] - The company's stock is considered overvalued, with a forward 12-month price/sales ratio of 15.01X compared to the sector's 8.93X, resulting in a Value Score of F [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 loss is projected at 31 cents per share, a narrowing of six cents over the past 30 days, compared to a loss of 80 cents per share in the previous year [11]
Can Applied Digital's AI Infrastructure Push Fuel Revenue Growth?
ZACKS· 2025-11-18 19:16
Core Insights - Applied Digital (APLD) is positioning itself as a critical infrastructure provider for the AI revolution, focusing on purpose-built data centers for high-performance computing workloads [1] - The company’s proprietary liquid cooling system enhances energy efficiency and sustainability, addressing key constraints for hyperscalers [2] - APLD's expansion plans, including a 400 MW capacity at Polaris Forge 1, indicate strong market demand for specialized AI infrastructure [3][4] Infrastructure and Market Demand - The active pipeline of 4 gigawatts and discussions with hyperscalers suggest robust demand for AI-specific capacity [4] - APLD achieved a significant operational milestone with the first 50-MW phase at Polaris Forge 1, transitioning from construction to revenue generation [4] Financial Performance and Growth Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal second-quarter revenues is $75.95 million, reflecting an 18.91% year-over-year increase [5] - APLD's aggressive capital deployment across multiple projects may introduce execution complexities, impacting revenue growth sustainability [5] Competitive Landscape - APLD faces competition from Riot Platforms and Equinix, both of which are expanding their capabilities in AI infrastructure [6] - Riot Platforms operates large power-dense sites and shares regional advantages with APLD, while Equinix leverages its extensive global network of data centers [6] Stock Performance and Valuation - APLD shares have increased by 200.2% year to date, significantly outperforming the broader Zacks Finance sector [7] - The stock is considered overvalued with a forward price/sales ratio of 16.2X compared to the sector's 8.93X [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second-quarter fiscal 2026 loss is 10 cents per share, indicating a wider loss compared to the previous year [12]
Will Applied Digital's Pivot to AI Infrastructure Broaden Its Revenue Base?
ZACKS· 2025-10-23 18:31
Core Insights - Applied Digital (APLD) is shifting its focus from blockchain hosting to high-performance computing infrastructure for AI workloads, indicating a long-term strategic reorientation towards contract-based revenue streams [1][3] Group 1: Strategic Transition - APLD's expansion in North Dakota includes the fully leased 400-megawatt Polaris Forge 1 campus, which has over $11 billion in contracted lease value, providing multi-year revenue visibility [2] - The company is constructing Polaris Forge 2, a 300-MW facility optimized for AI, designed for scalable expansion to meet the needs of hyperscalers [2] Group 2: Financial Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q2 fiscal 2026 revenue is $63.5 million, reflecting a 0.66% year-over-year decline as construction income decreases and lease revenue increases [3] - APLD's earnings profile is expected to stabilize and improve margins as recurring contracts begin to contribute [3] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - APLD faces competition from Riot Platforms and Equinix in the AI infrastructure market, with both companies having significant scale and customer ecosystems [4] - APLD's competitive advantage lies in its purpose-built, liquid-cooled architecture and faster deployment timelines [4] Group 4: Stock Performance and Valuation - APLD shares have increased by 300.8% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the broader Zacks Finance sector and the Financial-Miscellaneous Services industry [5] - The stock is considered overvalued with a forward 12-month price/sales ratio of 23.21X compared to the sector's 9.26X, and it has a Value Score of F [9]
TeraWulf Jumps 90% Year to Date: Buy, Sell, or Hold the Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-09-15 17:26
Core Insights - TeraWulf (WULF) shares have appreciated 90.1% year to date (YTD), underperforming the Zacks Financial-Miscellaneous Services industry and the Zacks Finance sector's returns of 5.2% and 13.4% respectively [1] - The company reported revenues of $47.6 million in Q2 2025, reflecting a 38% sequential increase and a 34% year-over-year increase [1][10] - TeraWulf self-mined 485 bitcoin in Q2 2025, with mining capacity increasing 45.5% year over year to 12.8 EH/s [2] Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2025 was $14.5 million, down 25.6% year over year, compared to a negative $4.7 million in Q1 2025 [2] - Power cost per bitcoin self-mined increased by 98.5% year over year due to halving, rising network difficulty, and power price volatility [2] - Selling, general and administrative expenses are expected to be between $50 million and $55 million, up from previous guidance of $40-$45 million due to accelerated growth in the HPC business [3] Strategic Developments - TeraWulf is set to deliver 72.5 MW of HPC colocation capacity under data center lease agreements with Core42, expected to generate revenues starting Q3 2025 [5] - A deal with Fluidstack will provide over 360 MW of critical IT load at the Lake Mariner data center, with the facility capable of expanding to 500 MW and potentially 750 MW [6] - The Fluidstack deal represents approximately $6.7 billion in contracted revenues, with total expected contract revenues reaching $16 billion, supported by Alphabet's $3.2 billion credit [7] Competitive Landscape - TeraWulf has outperformed peers like Riot Platforms (55.7% YTD) and Cleanspark (12.4% YTD) [9] - The company faces significant competition from Riot Platforms and Cleanspark, both of which are also vertically integrated bitcoin mining companies [10] Valuation and Market Position - TeraWulf's stock is currently trading at a price/book ratio of 25.07X, significantly higher than the industry average of 3.67X, indicating a premium valuation [14] - Despite trading above the 50-day and 200-day moving averages, the stock is considered overvalued [17][14] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TeraWulf's loss for 2025 has widened to 27 cents per share, compared to a loss of 19 cents per share in 2024 [20]