Industry Overview - The data center cooling market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.8% from 2023 to 2030, driven by the demand for coolant architectures for AI and high-performance computing [1]. Company Analysis: Super Micro Computer (SMCI) - SMCI's server and storage revenues are significantly supported by its direct liquid cooling products, achieving a production volume of over 2000 DLC racks per month [3]. - The company launched DLC-2 technology in May 2025, which offers features such as water and space savings, noise reduction, and a potential reduction in electricity costs by up to 40% [4]. - SMCI is currently facing challenges, including delayed purchasing decisions from customers and margin contraction due to increased competition from established players like HPE and Dell Technologies [5]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SMCI's fiscal 2025 earnings is $2.07 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 6.3% [5][6]. Company Analysis: Vertiv (VRT) - Vertiv has a robust thermal management portfolio, providing various cooling solutions that optimize performance and power utilization [7]. - The company is projected to achieve 24.91% EPS growth in FY25, driven by strong demand for AI cooling solutions [7][10]. - Vertiv continues to invest in research and capacity expansion to meet the growing needs of AI infrastructure, including the development of high-density cooling solutions for NVIDIA's platforms [9]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vertiv's fiscal 2025 revenues is $9.52 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 18.8%, with earnings estimated at $3.56 per share, reflecting a growth of 24.91% [10][11]. Stock Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, shares of SMCI have increased by 65.2%, while VRT shares have gained 6.3% [12]. - SMCI is trading at a forward Price to Sales ratio of 1.01X, above its median of 0.83X, whereas VRT is trading at a forward sales multiple of 4.5X, higher than its median of 4.25X [13]. Conclusion - Both SMCI and VRT are benefiting from the growth in cooling technology due to AI workloads and high-performance computing [16]. - However, VRT's financial metrics suggest it is a stronger investment choice compared to SMCI, which currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) versus VRT's 2 (Buy) [16].

Core Insights - Super Micro Computer's (SMCI) revenue is rapidly growing due to its innovative product offerings, particularly in direct liquid cooling (DLC) and server solutions, which are gaining traction among hyperscalers and AI customers [1][2] - Despite the revenue growth, SMCI's gross margin has been inconsistent and is currently on a declining trend, with a significant contraction noted in recent quarters [1][2] Financial Performance - In Q3 FY25, SMCI's non-GAAP gross margin decreased by 590 basis points year-over-year and 220 basis points sequentially to 9.7%, primarily due to rising costs associated with new products and high inventory reserves for older products [2][9] - The company has faced margin pressure attributed to an unfavorable product and customer mix, as well as increased costs from ramping up production for its DLC technology [3][4] Production and Capacity Expansion - SMCI is increasing its production capacity in Malaysia and Taiwan, which is expected to lower manufacturing costs in the long term due to economies of scale [5] - The company is also expanding its production capacity in California, aligning with U.S. government initiatives to boost domestic manufacturing, which is anticipated to positively impact gross margins in the future [5] Competitive Landscape - The server and liquid cooling market includes major players like Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Dell Technologies, with Dell reporting a backlog of $14.4 billion in AI server contracts despite the irregularities in product deployment [6][7] - HPE's server segment saw a 6% year-over-year sales growth in Q2 FY25, driven by strong demand for AI servers, indicating a competitive environment for SMCI [7] Stock Performance and Valuation - SMCI's shares have increased by 56.1% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Computer-Storage Devices industry, which grew by 6.7% [8] - The company currently trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.96X, which is lower than the industry average of 1.76X, suggesting potential undervaluation [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SMCI's fiscal 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-year decline of 6.33%, while fiscal 2026 estimates suggest a growth of 27.54% [11]

Key Takeaways SMCI stock is up 34.1% YTD, outpacing its industry's 9.1% return despite recent volatility. Strong AI server demand pushed SMCI's server revenues up 19% YoY, hitting $4.5B in Q3 FY25. Margin pressure from rivals and inventory write-downs weighs on SMCI's near-term outlook.Super Micro Computer (SMCI) shares have been volatile recently, yet it returned 34.1% in the year-to-date period. Its shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer- Storage Devices industry’s decline of 0.3% in the same time ...

Key Takeaways SMCI's server and storage system revenues hit $4.5B in Q3 FY25, up 19% year over year. Growth is driven by demand for DLC racks, new DCBBS modules and AI-optimized storage systems. Global manufacturing expansion aims to boost deployment and bypass geopolitical trade barriers.Super Micro Computer’s (SMCI) server and storage system segmental revenues grew 19% year over year in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, crossing the $4.5 billion milestone. The server and storage system segment, which ac ...

Core Insights - Super Micro Computer (SMCI) is experiencing strong demand for its AI infrastructure, particularly in storage and server offerings, which are providing customers with higher computational densities and lower total cost of ownership for AI services [1] Group 1: Company Performance - In Q3 of fiscal 2025, SMCI reported high volume shipments of liquid-cooled 4U NVIDIA B200 HGX systems and GB200 NVL72 racks, indicating robust demand for its AI product line [2] - The company achieved a production milestone of 5,000 racks per month, with over 2,000 being direct liquid cooling (DLC) racks, to meet the rising demand for AI solutions [3] - SMCI's enterprise data center customer vertical generated $1.9 billion in revenues, contributing to 42% of total revenues in Q3 of fiscal 2025, up from 25% in the previous quarter, highlighting the increasing significance of AI products in its revenue stream [4] Group 2: Revenue Guidance and Estimates - Due to the rising adoption of its AI infrastructure and DLC offerings, SMCI has provided revenue guidance of $21.8-$22.6 billion for fiscal 2025, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate of $22.12 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 48% [5] - Despite the strong revenue growth forecast, earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 indicate a decline of 6.33% year-over-year, while estimates for fiscal 2026 suggest a recovery with a growth of 35.75% [13] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - SMCI faces strong competition from Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Dell Technologies (DELL) in the server market, with HPE recently entering the AI infrastructure space and reporting a 6% year-over-year growth in server segment sales due to demand for AI servers [6][7] - Dell also offers a variety of server solutions, including PowerEdge Rack Servers and Modular Infrastructure, positioning itself as a competitor in the AI-server market alongside HPE [8] Group 4: Valuation Metrics - SMCI's shares have increased by 33.8% year-to-date, contrasting with a decline of 1.6% in the Zacks Computer-Storage Devices industry [9] - The company trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.82X, which is lower than the industry average of 1.65X, indicating a potentially attractive valuation [12]

Turning $10,000 into $1 million is no small feat. That requires a return of 100 times on your investment, and few companies can deliver that. For this to work properly, you need a stock that's relatively inexpensive, is in the middle of a general trend, and doesn't have too high a market cap to begin with.Super Micro Computer (SMCI -4.54%), commonly called Supermicro, checks all of those boxes. It is a participant in the artificial intelligence (AI) race, is valued at a dirt cheap price, and tips the scales ...