By David French and Isla Binnie WEST PALM BEACH, Florida, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Disruption to businesses from artificial intelligence development is "top of the ​page" for Blackstone, the world's largest alternative asset manager, its president ‌and chief operating officer Jon Gray said on Tuesday. "You want to be thinking about this ‌in almost everything you're doing now," Gray told the WSJ Invest Live event in West Palm Beach, Florida. Blackstone manages assets worth $1.27 trillion, spanning most sector ...

Group 1 - Equinix, Inc. will hold its quarterly conference call on February 11, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. ET to discuss fourth-quarter results for the period ended December 31, 2025, and the full year of 2025 [1] - The conference call can be accessed live by dialing 1-517-308-9482 and referencing the passcode (EQIX) [2] - A replay of the call will be available one hour after the call through March 31, 2026, by dialing 1-866-360-7719 and entering the passcode (2026) [2] Group 2 - Equinix, Inc. is recognized as a digital infrastructure company that enhances connectivity globally [3] - The company's digital infrastructure and data center footprint support innovations that improve work, life, and the planet [3] - Equinix connects various economies, countries, organizations, and communities, delivering seamless digital experiences and advanced AI solutions [3]

Group 1 - SoftBank Group has agreed to acquire DigitalBridge for an enterprise value of approximately $4 billion, focusing on digital infrastructure investments [1] - The acquisition aims to enhance SoftBank's capabilities in building and financing infrastructure necessary for next-generation AI services [2][3] - DigitalBridge's expertise in digital infrastructure will support SoftBank's vision of becoming a leading provider of Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) [2][3] Group 2 - The acquisition price is set at $16 per share in cash, representing a 15% premium over DigitalBridge's closing share price on December 26 and a 50% premium over the unaffected 52-week average closing price as of December 4 [4][5] - DigitalBridge will continue to operate as a separate entity under the leadership of CEO Marc Ganzi after the transaction closes [6] - The transaction is expected to finalize in the second half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions [6]

Industry Overview - Global infrastructure spending is expected to remain strong through year-end 2025, driven by aging assets, energy transition mandates, grid resiliency needs, and data-center capacity expansion [1] - The infrastructure cycle now encompasses not only traditional roads and bridges but also transmission, distribution, electrification, water, and mission-critical facilities [1][9] United States Infrastructure - The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocates approximately $350 billion for federal highway programs from fiscal 2022 to 2026, providing visibility into public works spending [2] - Grid modernization is being recognized as a capital "super-cycle," with significant multi-year spending plans linked to reliability and load growth from electrification and data centers [2] European Infrastructure - European policymakers are prioritizing faster approvals for grid projects to enhance competitiveness, with Germany's construction industry anticipating a recovery in civil works driven by a substantial infrastructure investment plan [3] - The Central Association of the German Construction Industry (ZDB) forecasts a slight real increase in sector turnover of 0.6% this year, followed by a 2.5% surge in 2026 [3] Company Highlights - **Jacobs Solutions (J)** is leveraging its engineering and program-management capabilities, with a record backlog and rising demand in public infrastructure, data centers, and advanced manufacturing [4] - **Dycom Industries (DY)** is benefiting from fiber deployment and wireless programs, with a record backlog and a focus on digital infrastructure build-out expected to ramp significantly starting in 2026 [5][6] - **Sterling Infrastructure (STRL)** is successfully pivoting towards higher-margin infrastructure markets, particularly in E-Infrastructure Solutions, with strong backlog growth and visibility extending into 2026 [10][11] - **MasTec (MTZ)** offers a diversified infrastructure platform, with strong execution in communications and power delivery, and significant capital commitments expected to ramp in 2026 [13][14] - **EMCOR Group (EME)** is noted for its margin resilience and expanding exposure to data centers, with record performance obligations driven by network and data center projects [16][18] - **Quanta Services (PWR)** is positioned at the center of a capital-intensive infrastructure cycle, with record backlog driven by investments in transmission, generation, and electrification [20][21] Stock Performance - Dycom stock has increased by 101.6% year-to-date, with EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 rising significantly [7] - Sterling stock has gained 89.4% year-to-date, with EPS estimates for 2026 also showing notable growth [12] - MasTec stock has risen by 61.9% year-to-date, with EPS estimates reflecting a 27.3% growth [15] - EMCOR stock has increased by 37.5% year-to-date, with EPS estimates indicating an 8.6% growth [19] - Quanta stock has gained 37.9% year-to-date, with EPS estimates showing a 16.9% growth [22]

Group 1 - Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. has announced a new partnership with Pellera Technologies, designating Pellera as an Official Partner of the New York Rangers [1] - Pellera Technologies will serve as the Presenting Partner for the Rangers Centennial Exhibit, celebrating 100 years of the team's history through various artifacts and imagery [2] - The partnership aims to create meaningful experiences and unite both organizations, reflecting shared values of excellence and innovation [3] Group 2 - Pellera Technologies will gain significant brand exposure at Rangers home games, including signage on dasherboards and during broadcasts on MSG Networks [3] - The company will also be a Supporting Partner for the annual Rangers Casino Night, benefiting the Garden of Dreams Foundation, and will be featured on the 7th Avenue LED Marquee sign [4] - Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. operates professional sports teams, including the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, and has a performance center in Greenburgh, NY [5]

Core Insights - Equinix, Inc. has appointed Yang Song, Ph.D., as the new Senior Vice President, Chief Data Science and AI Officer, effective immediately [1][2] - Song will lead the global data science and AI organization at Equinix, focusing on embedding intelligence across all company processes and enhancing customer experiences [2][3] - The appointment is part of Equinix's strategy to drive operational excellence and unlock new revenue streams through AI and machine learning [2][3] Company Overview - Equinix is recognized as a leading digital infrastructure company, connecting economies and organizations globally [4] - The company aims to enhance digital experiences and leverage cutting-edge AI technologies to deliver value [4] Leadership Background - Yang Song brings over 20 years of experience in AI and machine learning, having previously held leadership roles at Apple and IBM Research [2][3] - At Apple, Song was instrumental in transforming the company's enterprise AI vision, resulting in significant value creation across various business functions [3] Strategic Vision - Song expressed enthusiasm for Equinix's commitment to driving transformative value through AI and machine learning, aiming to accelerate the responsible adoption of these technologies [3] - The focus will be on developing intelligent products and insights that provide real value to Equinix's customers [3]

Core Insights - Chuck Hastings, a director at Applied Digital Corporation, sold 75,000 shares of the company in multiple transactions, totaling approximately $2.6 million [1][11] - The sale represents 15% of Hastings' direct ownership prior to the transactions, reducing his stake significantly [3][11] - The company's stock has experienced a remarkable increase of 412.7% over the past year, reflecting strong investor interest in AI infrastructure [6][12] Transaction Summary - Total shares sold: 75,000 [2] - Total transaction value: $2.6 million [2] - Remaining shares post-transaction: 426,612 [2] - Remaining direct ownership value: approximately $14.8 million [2][5] Recent Trading Activity - Hastings has sold a total of 205,000 shares since August, including previous sales of 30,000 and 100,000 shares [4][11] - The weighted average price for the recent sale was approximately $35.22, while the stock closed at $34.66 on the last trading day [6][12] Company Overview - Applied Digital Corporation operates in the digital infrastructure market, focusing on high-performance computing and AI workloads [9] - The company provides data center hosting and GPU-based cloud services, generating revenue from crypto mining infrastructure and AI computing solutions [9][12] - As of the last market close, the company's market capitalization was $9.7 billion, with a revenue of $144.2 million over the trailing twelve months [7][12]

Group 1 - Applied Digital Corp. (NASDAQ:APLD) experienced a significant increase of 11.71% on Wednesday, closing at $16.98, driven by positive investor sentiment towards the artificial intelligence industry [1][3] - The company is benefiting from a broader trend where investors are investing in digital infrastructure, particularly after Nebius Group secured an $18 billion cloud computing deal with Microsoft, highlighting the demand for scalable computing power [2] - An expanded lease agreement with CoreWeave could potentially generate up to $11 billion in revenues for Applied Digital, covering 400 MW of critical IT capacity across three long-term leases at its Polaris Forge 1 Campus in North Dakota [3][4] Group 2 - The CEO of Applied Digital emphasized the company's commitment to developing AI infrastructure in North Dakota, positioning the state as a strategic hub for the digital economy and AI advancements [5] - The overall optimism in the AI sector suggests that investing in companies like Applied Digital could provide early exposure to a rapidly growing industry [3]

Investment Rating - The report assigns a Neutral rating to Infratil (IFT.NZ) [1][4][15] Core Insights - The FY25 results were softer than expected, with Proportionate EBITDAF declining by 4% compared to Goldman Sachs estimates, leading to a downgrade in FY26 guidance to NZ$1,000-1,050 million, which is 3%-5% lower than previous estimates [1][4] - Infratil plans to monetize NZ$1 billion of assets that are unlikely to scale under the current ownership model, with the capital reinvested in businesses that can provide more meaningful returns [2] - The healthcare portfolio is performing strongly, with RHCNZ and Qscan expecting accelerating EBITDAF growth into FY26 [2] - Longroad Energy is targeting an OpCo run-rate EBITDA of US$370 million by March 2026, driven by contributions from projects that are operational or under construction [2] Financial Performance - FY26-28 EBITDAF estimates have been revised down by 3% to 4% due to CDC deferrals and increased costs for One NZ [4][13] - The 12-month target price is set at NZ$10.70, reflecting a 3% decrease from previous estimates [4][14] - Key financial metrics include projected revenue growth of 22.7% for FY25, with a decline in EPS for FY26 expected at NZ$0.13, compared to a previous estimate of NZ$0.09 [10][11] Investment Thesis - Infratil is positioned to benefit from increased digital consumption and AI adoption, particularly through its investments in digital infrastructure and renewable energy [15] - Despite positive long-term themes, the current market valuation appears to have already factored in these growth prospects, leading to a Neutral rating [15]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 31% increase in management fees, with approximately 90% derived from permanent capital vehicles [35] - Fee-related earnings (FRE) grew by 23%, while distributable earnings (DE) increased by 20% on a last twelve months (LTM) basis [35][23] - The company raised $6.7 billion in equity during the first quarter and $29.4 billion over the last twelve months, marking a 76% increase from the prior year [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In direct lending, gross origination reached nearly $13 billion, with net origination over $4.5 billion for the quarter, more than double the previous quarter's net origination [26] - The direct lending portfolio gross returns were 3.1% in the first quarter and 13.3% over the last twelve months [39] - The net lease strategy saw a record quarter of commitments totaling $3.8 billion, with commitments over the last twelve months reaching $8 billion at an average cap rate of roughly 8% [46] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company raised over $6.5 billion in the first quarter, with $4 billion raised in private wealth, primarily across perpetually distributed products and GP stakes [25] - The company noted a significant increase in investor interest in alternative credit solutions, particularly as traditional securitization markets face challenges [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on innovation, diversification, and scale, aligning with the ongoing evolution of the alternatives industry [11] - The strategy emphasizes downside protection, income generation, and inflation protection, which are particularly valuable in volatile markets [18] - The company aims to leverage its permanent capital model to provide stability and predictability in uncertain economic environments [49] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate current market volatility, citing a strong track record of performance during previous disruptions [16] - The company anticipates continued growth in FRE per share, expecting to narrow the gap between FRE growth and FRE per share growth over the next few years [56] - Management highlighted the defensive nature of their business model, which is expected to perform well even in challenging economic conditions [50] Other Important Information - The company completed the merger of OTF and OTF2, positioning OTF as the largest technology-focused BDC in the public market, which is expected to drive additional management fees [20] - The company has over $23 billion of assets under management (AUM) that will begin to pay management fees once capital is deployed, potentially driving an incremental $290 million in revenue [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: How to bridge the gap from stable growth to better earnings per share growth? - Management acknowledged a gap between FRE growth and FRE per share growth due to acquisitions and expects this gap to narrow in the coming years, targeting 20% growth in FRE per share over the next five years [55][56] Question: Evolution of retail investors' behavior during volatility? - Management noted that retail investors are increasingly recognizing the benefits of stability and predictability offered by Blue Owl products, especially during volatile periods [60][64] Question: Drivers for expected acceleration in institutional business? - Management highlighted the launch of flagship funds and new products as key drivers for anticipated growth in institutional fundraising throughout the year [68][76] Question: Dynamics of GP stakes fees and future run rate? - Management explained that the decline in GP stakes fees was due to a fee step down and catch-up fees from the previous quarter, indicating a clean quarter for management fees [84][86] Question: Spread and pricing dynamics in the market? - Management indicated that dislocated environments are beneficial for the company, with expectations for spreads to widen as competition in the public market diminishes [90][95]