Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported core FFO of $1.87 per share, a 13% increase year-over-year and 6% higher than the previous quarter [9][25] - New bookings for the quarter totaled $177 million, with Digital Realty's share at $135 million, marking a record performance in the zero to one megawatt interconnection product set with $90 million in bookings, an 18% increase from the prior record [4][8] - The backlog at the end of the quarter stood at $826 million, providing strong visibility through 2025 and beyond [9][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The zero to one megawatt plus interconnection category saw bookings of $90 million, contributing significantly to the overall new bookings and reflecting a 36% increase compared to the prior April average [8][22] - The greater than one megawatt category generated $45 million in new leases, with steady to improved pricing despite some pricing pressure from a large enterprise customer exercising an expansion option [22][25] - Total churn declined to just 1%, with negligible churn in the greater than one megawatt category, indicating strong customer retention [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Demand for data center capacity remains strong across all regions, with notable contributions from North America, EMEA, and APAC [10][12] - In North America, near-term capacity blocks are in high demand, with discussions focused on late 2026 and early 2027 deliveries [11] - EMEA and APAC are experiencing growing demand for AI deployments, although they still lag behind the U.S. in terms of hyperscale capacity [12][78] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing its interconnection capabilities and services, which are critical for supporting hybrid multi-cloud IT and AI workloads [7][15] - The U.S. Hyperscale data center fund has received over $3 billion in LP equity commitments, allowing the company to meet growing customer needs without overextending its balance sheet [14][29] - The strategic objective includes positioning for long-term sustainable growth through colocation and interconnection categories, with expectations for continued momentum into 2026 and beyond [15][34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the strong demand environment driven by digital transformation, cloud computing, and AI adoption, positioning the company well for future growth [6][10] - The company expects to exit 2025 with significant momentum and a sizable backlog, having increased guidance for revenue and adjusted EBITDA for the year [21][33] - Management expressed confidence in the ability to scale quickly and securely across regions, enhancing the company's value proposition [15][34] Other Important Information - The company maintained strong execution against sustainability goals, achieving a 9% increase in renewable energy usage and a 14% reduction in water usage intensity year-over-year [19] - The company has a robust balance sheet with over $7 billion in liquidity and leverage below target levels, allowing for continued investment in growth initiatives [6][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the growth in the zero to one megawatt category? - Management indicated that a combination of a growing market and improved execution has led to increased market share, with a focus on enhancing the global footprint and interconnection capabilities [37][39] Question: Can you comment on interconnection bookings and pricing? - Management noted record interconnection bookings driven by sustained demand and global pricing standardization, with expectations for continued momentum in the second half of the year [42][44] Question: What is the outlook for large capacity blocks in the U.S.? - Management highlighted strong demand for large capacity blocks, particularly in Northern Virginia, with ongoing discussions about future capacity needs [51][56] Question: How will the U.S. Hyperscale fund impact the financial model? - The fund is expected to ramp up contributions over time, with asset management fees providing near-term benefits and development returns expected to grow in the coming years [87][93] Question: What is the impact of the executive order on permitting data center infrastructure? - Management expressed optimism that the executive order will streamline permitting processes and promote infrastructure development, benefiting the company in the long term [64][66]