Vertiv Holdings Co designs, manufactures, and services critical digital infrastructure technologies and life cycle services for data centers, communication networks, and commercial and industrial environments in the Americas, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company offers AC and DC power management products, low/medium voltage switchgear, busbar, thermal management products, air cooled and liquid cooled thermal management products, integrated modular solutions, racks, single phase UPS, rack power distribution, rack thermal systems, configurable integrated solutions, energy storage solutions, hardware, and software infrastructure that are integral to the technologies used for various services, including artificial intelligence, e-commerce, online banking, file sharing, video on-demand, energy storage, wireless communications, Internet of Things, and online gaming. It also provides lifecycle management services, predictive analytics, and professional services for deploying, maintaining, and optimizing its products and their related systems; and preventative maintenance, acceptance testing, engineering and consulting, fluid management, performance assessments, remote monitoring, training, spare parts, and critical digital infrastructure software services. The company offers its products primarily under the Vertiv, Liebert, NetSure, Geist, Energy Labs, ERS, Albér, and Avocent brands. It serves through a network of direct sales professionals, independent sales representatives, channel partners, and original equipment manufacturers. The company is headquartered in Westerville, Ohio.
Penguin Solutions, Inc. is seeing improving revenue visibility as AI-driven demand continues to outpace net sales growth, contributing to a growing backlog. The company exited the third quarter of fiscal 2026 with a very strong backlog, particularly in Integrated Memory, where revenues jumped more than 111% year over year to $275 million, while AI-driven businesses represented 74% of total revenues and grew 104%. Management said bookings in the AI Infrastructure business generally convert into revenues within three to six months, providing an advantage heading into fiscal 2027, and the company has "pretty good visibility" into the first half of fiscal 2027. The pipeline also strengthened across enterprise, sovereign AI, and neocloud customers, with MemoryAI appliances and CXL memory expansion cards generating both revenues and new bookings. Penguin Solutions raised its fiscal 2026 outlook and expects roughly 30% net sales growth in fiscal 2027 from the midpoint of that outlook. Rivals Dell Technologies and Vertiv Holdings also benefit from the trend, with Dell reporting a record $51.3 billion AI backlog and Vertiv seeing strong backlog and pipeline momentum. Penguin Solutions shares have surged 107.6% over the past year, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 earnings is $2.60 and $3.40 per share, respectively, with both estimates revised upward.
AI Infrastructure Borrowing Hits Record, Lifting Long-Term Yields
US companies have issued nearly $1.7 trillion in bonds so far this year, up 27% from the same period a year ago and more than all of 2025 combined, according to SIFMA data, with hyperscalers, data-center REITs, and power producers leading the charge. BMO Capital Markets rates strategist Ian Lyngen said a record pace of corporate bond issuance has added substantial duration supply to US fixed income markets, with consequences for the outright level of yields as well as the shape of the yield curve and term premium. The 30-year Treasury touched 5.323% on August 18, a 19-year high, while the 10-year sat at 4.69% and the 30-year at 5.23% on August 20. Digital Realty raised its 2026 development capex guidance to $3.5 billion to $4.0 billion and long-term debt issuance guidance to $1.5 billion to $2.0 billion, while Constellation Energy took total long-term debt to $17.5 billion after financing the Calpine acquisition. Vertiv completed a $2.1 billion senior unsecured notes issuance and a new $2.5 billion revolving credit facility in March, earning inaugural investment-grade ratings from Moody's and S&P. Palantir, which carries no meaningful debt, trades at a trailing P/E of 149, and the article notes that higher real yields driven by AI borrowing could compress its multiple faster than earnings can grow into it.
Vertiv CEO David Cote turned an 80-year-old AC maker into an AI darling
Vertiv, an 80-year-old maker of data center cooling equipment, has seen its market cap surge nearly tenfold to $109 billion since going public in early 2021, making it the third-best performer in the S&P 500 over that span with a 50.5% annualized return. The transformation was led by David Cote, the former Honeywell CEO who acquired Vertiv in early 2020 for $4 billion through a special-purpose acquisition company arranged with Goldman Sachs. Cote repositioned Vertiv to serve hyperscalers like Google and Microsoft, and in December 2023 the company bought British startup CoolTera, whose direct-to-chip liquid cooling technology is now critical for cooling Nvidia GPUs in AI data centers. Vertiv has tripled production capacity since early 2023 and plans to triple it again by 2029, while the overall data center cooling market is projected to grow from over $30 billion today to $128 billion by 2033. Cote says cheaper AI models like DeepSeek will only increase data processing demand, and he believes Vertiv's role is fundamental to the digital age.
Vertiv's Q2 2026 Margin Surge Positions It Against Amphenol and Super Micro
Vertiv reported a 410 basis point year-over-year increase in adjusted operating margin to 22.6% in the second quarter of 2026, driven by operational execution and favorable price-cost dynamics. Net sales rose 24% year over year, with the Americas and APAC regions each growing 29% and EMEA returning to positive growth. Management raised full-year 2026 adjusted operating margin guidance to 23.3%-24.3% and expects pricing to exceed inflation, including tariffs. By comparison, Amphenol's adjusted operating margin improved 420 basis points to 29.8% on 80.2% higher adjusted operating income, while Super Micro Computer's non-GAAP operating margin jumped to 14.3% from 7.2% in the prior quarter. Vertiv shares have surged 63.3% year to date, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is $6.64 per share, up 3.58% over the past 30 days.
Zacks Highlights Dell, Celestica, Lumentum, Vertiv for AI Data Center Growth
Zacks Equity Research highlights Dell Technologies, Celestica, Lumentum Holdings, and Vertiv Holdings as four stocks positioned to benefit from AI data center expansion beyond chipmakers. Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms are expected to spend roughly $720 billion to $745 billion on capital expenditures in 2026, with a large portion directed toward AI infrastructure. Dell reported record quarterly revenues of $43.84 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, up 88% year over year, and raised its AI server revenue expectations for fiscal 2027 to about $60 billion. Celestica's second-quarter 2026 revenues jumped 62% year over year to $4.70 billion, and it raised its full-year 2026 revenue outlook to $20.5 billion from $19 billion. Lumentum's fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 net revenues reached a record $1.01 billion, more than doubling from $480.7 million a year earlier, and NVIDIA committed to invest $2 billion in the company. Vertiv's second-quarter 2026 revenues increased 24% year over year to $3.27 billion, and it raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance range to $13.8-$14.2 billion from $13.5-$14 billion.
Morgan Stanley Sees 38-Gigawatt AI Data Center Power Gap
Morgan Stanley estimates U.S. data centers will need roughly 68 gigawatts of power between 2026 and 2028, leaving a potential 38-gigawatt gap after accounting for projects under construction and available grid capacity. The bank expects developers to increasingly turn to on-site natural gas turbines, fuel cells, and other behind-the-meter generation to get power faster. Morgan Stanley identifies natural gas turbines as one of the biggest potential solutions, estimating they could provide roughly 15 to 20 gigawatts of capacity through 2028. GE Vernova, Eaton, and Vertiv are positioned to benefit, with GE Vernova's Gas Power equipment backlog and slot reservations reaching 116 gigawatts in the second quarter, Eaton's Electrical Sector data center orders up approximately 85% year over year, and Vertiv's second-quarter revenue up 24% to $3.27 billion.
Baron Small Cap Fund Highlights Vertiv Holdings as Key AI Infrastructure Play
Baron Capital's Small Cap Fund highlighted Vertiv Holdings as a top contributor in its second quarter 2026 investor letter, with the stock adding 2.66% to performance. Vertiv, a provider of power and cooling systems for data centers, reported strong first quarter results with adjusted earnings per share up 83% year-over-year and raised its fiscal year guidance on roughly 30% organic sales growth. Management increased long-term projections to 20%-plus revenue CAGR and a 27%-plus EBIT margin out to 2030, with $24 billion of cash available for M&A. The fund trimmed its position but maintains a large stake, citing Vertiv's positioning in liquid cooling and direct current power architectures. Vertiv shares closed at $292.43 on August 17, 2026, with a market capitalization of $112.58 billion.
Vertiv and Super Micro Computer Report Divergent AI Infrastructure Results
Vertiv and Super Micro Computer reported sharply different quarterly results, highlighting contrasting positions in the AI infrastructure market. Vertiv posted Q2 revenue of $3.27 billion, up 24.1% year-over-year, with adjusted operating margin expanding 410 basis points to 22.6% and free cash flow of $925.3 million. Supermicro's Q4 revenue hit $11.12 billion, up 93.2% year-over-year but missing consensus by 3.83%, while GAAP gross margin rose to 17.5% from 9.5% a year earlier. Supermicro guided Q1 FY27 gross margin to 10.4% to 10.8%, signaling the 17.5% result was partly one-time, and reported negative operating cash flow of $6.81 billion for FY26 with $8.7 billion in bank and convertible debt. Vertiv joined the S&P 500 in March 2026 and raised FY26 EPS guidance to $6.70 at the midpoint, while Supermicro guided FY27 revenue of $65 billion to $72 billion and raised $5.6 billion in Q4 equity.
Citi Sees U.S. Industrial Growth Accelerating to 6.9% as Data Centre Demand Expands
Citi sees improving momentum across the industrial sector after organic growth reached 6.9% in the second quarter of 2026, substantially exceeding the bank's 4.0% forecast. Strong data centre investment remains an important source of demand, while signs of a broader short-cycle recovery suggest growth is beginning to extend into more areas of the industrial economy. Average operating margins across the sector reached 21.4%, compared with Citi's forecast of 21.2%, and the bank views margins above 20% as evidence of healthy underlying profitability. Citi's preferred industrial names include Parker Hannifin, Vertiv, Eaton, Emerson Electric and Trane Technologies, while it also sees attractive long-term opportunities in Quanta Services and MasTec. The industrial sector is trading at a modest premium to the broader U.S. equity market, with a relative next-12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 1.11 times the S&P 500 versus a 10-year average of 1.10 times.
US data center construction could hit 35 GW by 2030, Bernstein says
Bernstein analysts project U.S. annual data center construction could rise from 12 gigawatts in 2026 to 35 GW by 2030, but shortages of specialised mechanical, electrical and plumbing workers will set the industry's speed limit. The projection assumes recruitment across the three trades remains near peak rates recorded during the past three years, allowing annual construction to increase by about 6 GW each year, or roughly 30% compound annual growth. The estimated 35 GW ceiling would support market consensus of 25 GW to 35 GW in annual capacity additions by 2030, yet fall short of the 40 GW Bernstein estimates is needed to justify planned manufacturing capacity for mid-scale power generators. This creates a potential overbuild risk for power-equipment suppliers, with Caterpillar and Cummins identified as the most exposed. Bernstein said modular construction could help the industry move past this labour ceiling by transferring more work from building sites to factories, potentially benefiting vertically integrated manufacturers and contractors such as Eaton, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, Quanta Services, Comfort Systems USA and EMCOR.
AI Infrastructure Stocks Gain as Big Tech Spending Surges
Big Tech's AI spending race accelerated this earnings season, with Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta reporting roughly $170 billion in capital expenditures. Microsoft reported $41 billion of CapEx, Alphabet spent $44.9 billion and raised its full-year CapEx forecast, Meta deployed $31.1 billion while maintaining its outlook, and Amazon led the group with $54.2 billion in property and equipment purchases. The spending is showing returns, with Microsoft monetizing enterprise AI, Amazon and Alphabet benefiting from accelerating cloud demand, and Meta's AI-enhanced advertising business helping fund its infrastructure buildout. Vertiv's Q2 revenue grew 24% to $3.3 billion and it raised its full-year outlook, while Broadcom's Q2 revenue soared 48% to $22.2 billion and AI semiconductor revenue surged 143% year-over-year to $10.8 billion, with Broadcom expecting AI revenue to reach $16 billion next quarter.
Vertiv Raises 2026 Guidance on AI Data Center Demand
Vertiv Holdings Co raised its full-year 2026 guidance, now expecting net sales of US$13,800 million to US$14,200 million and diluted EPS of US$5.82 to US$5.92, explicitly tying the stronger outlook to AI data center demand. The company also reported higher second-quarter revenue and net income year over year and completed its US$599.84 million share repurchase program. Earlier in August, Bitzero Holdings Inc. announced a collaboration with Vertiv to support AI and HPC data center build-outs. Vertiv is scheduled to present at the OCP APAC Summit 2026 in Taipei, highlighting its role in advanced, high-density AI infrastructure and integrated power-and-cooling solutions.
Vertiv Holdings Shares Plunge 27.9% in July Despite Strong Earnings
Shares of AI infrastructure provider Vertiv plunged 27.9% in July, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The company posted second-quarter revenue growth of 24% to $3.72 billion and a 60% surge in adjusted earnings per share to $1.52, but the revenue figure slightly missed Wall Street expectations and marked a deceleration from 30% growth in the prior quarter. Vertiv raised its third-quarter revenue guidance by $400 million and full-year guidance by $250 million at the midpoint, implying some revenue shifted from the second quarter to the third quarter and an improved full-year outlook. The sell-off occurred amid broader negative sentiment toward AI-related stocks, fueled by short-seller Michael Burry’s bets, the release of China’s Kimi 3 model, and the blow-up of AI-focused hedge fund Situational Awareness. Vertiv now expects 2026 adjusted earnings per share of $6.70 at the midpoint, putting the stock at 40 times this year’s earnings expectations.
AI data center boom creates investment opportunities across chips, real estate, energy, and cooling
The massive buildout of AI data centers is creating distinct investment opportunities across semiconductor equipment, real estate, energy, and cooling, according to experts interviewed by Fortune. Hyperscalers are projected to spend between $750 billion and $800 billion annually, with some forecasts reaching $1 trillion, representing 2.5% to 3% of U.S. GDP. In chips, B. Riley Securities analyst Craig Ellis recommends shifting focus from giants like Nvidia to equipment suppliers such as Applied Materials, Lam Research, and Marvell Technology, citing severe undersupply that will drive multi-year capex growth. For real estate, CenterSquare’s Patrick Wilson highlights data center REITs Equinix and Digital Realty as beneficiaries of the shift from AI training to inference, which favors urban facilities with low latency. Morningstar’s Andrew Bischof points to utilities like American Electric Power, which plans $78 billion in infrastructure investment through 2030, while New Constructs’ David Trainer sees value in traditional energy stocks such as Valero and HF Sinclair. In cooling, Morningstar’s Nick Lieb favors Vertiv for its dominant position in precision cooling, though notes concentration risk, and Eaton for its diversified exposure to the electrical grid. Some analysts warn that current spending levels may be unsustainable, with hyperscalers increasingly relying on debt and equity issuance.
Eaton, Vertiv, and Quanta Services Build the Physical Backbone for AI Data Centers
Eaton, Vertiv, and Quanta Services are supplying the electrical systems, cooling, and grid infrastructure that make GPU-powered data centers physically possible. Eaton's U.S. data center backlog reached 307 gigawatts, representing 15 years of work at current build rates, giving investors rare long-duration revenue visibility. Vertiv posted 24% revenue growth and $925 million in free cash flow in Q2 2026, while Quanta's backlog surged to $48 billion. These picks-and-shovels companies provide exposure to the physical infrastructure supporting AI, with Eaton's backlog extending into 2028 and beyond, Vertiv's full-year revenue forecast raised to $13.8 billion to $14.2 billion, and Quanta's electric-infrastructure backlog reaching $40.1 billion.
Sovereign AI Infrastructure Spending Surge Benefits Nvidia, AMD, and Power Equipment Makers
Sovereign AI infrastructure spending is exploding, with Nvidia capturing the largest share of the dollar flow. Nvidia reported data center revenue of $75.25 billion, up 92% year over year, and guided for $91.0 billion in Q2 revenue with 75.0% non-GAAP gross margins. AMD's data center segment grew 107%, winning sovereign AI deployments in India, Korea, and the UAE. Vertiv's Americas segment grew 29.2%, and Eaton's Electrical Americas rolling 12-month orders were up 41% organically, as every new AI gigawatt demands more power and cooling infrastructure.
Vertiv revenue nearly doubles to $11.5 billion as AI data center power demand surges
Vertiv, a leader in power and cooling solutions for data centers, has seen its trailing-12-month revenue nearly double over the past three years to $11.5 billion, driven by booming demand from AI infrastructure. The company reported 24% year-over-year revenue growth in the second quarter, and its adjusted operating margin reached about 20% in 2025, with management guiding for 23.8% at the midpoint for full-year 2026. Analysts project revenue approaching $22 billion by 2028 and roughly 37% annualized earnings growth over the next several years, supporting a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 41. Vertiv benefits from high switching costs that lock in customers once its power systems are installed, and it faces competition from larger players like Schneider Electric and Eaton.
Zacks Names Five Top-Ranked Growth Stocks for August
Zacks Investment Research has identified five growth stocks for investors to buy in August, citing strong earnings and revenue growth prospects tied to artificial intelligence and data center demand. The stocks are Micron Technology, Seagate Technology Holdings, Comfort Systems USA, Vertiv Holdings, and Celestica, each carrying a Zacks Rank of 1 and a Growth Score of A. Micron is expected to see revenue and earnings growth of 91.4% and more than 100% for the year ending August 2027, driven by demand for memory chips used in AI systems. Seagate projects revenue and earnings growth of 52.8% and more than 100% for the year ending June 2027, benefiting from AI workloads that require persistent data storage. Comfort Systems guided for 2026 same-store revenue growth in the mid- to high-30% range, with a backlog of $14.06 billion as of June 30, 2026, up 73.2% year over year, fueled by data center construction. Vertiv expects revenue and earnings growth of 36.6% and 58.1% for the current year, supported by AI infrastructure demand and partnerships with NVIDIA. Celestica anticipates revenue and earnings growth of 63.4% and 78.5% for the current year, driven by AI infrastructure spending and expansion of high-bandwidth networking platforms.
Zacks highlights Lam Research, Cheesecake Factory, Vertiv, and Fortinet as top GARP stocks
Zacks Investment Research featured Lam Research, The Cheesecake Factory, Vertiv, and Fortinet as promising growth-at-a-reasonable-price stocks. Lam Research guided for September 2026 quarter revenues of $8.1 billion with a non-GAAP operating margin of 39.5%, while its fiscal 2027 earnings consensus estimate rose 17.6% to $9.24 per share over the past 30 days. The Cheesecake Factory reiterated plans to open up to 26 new restaurants in fiscal 2026 and saw its 2026 earnings estimate increase 10.5% to $4.43 per share. Vertiv raised full-year 2026 guidance to approximately $14 billion in net sales and adjusted earnings of $6.65 to $6.75 per share, with its 2026 earnings estimate moving 3.6% higher to $6.64 per share. Fortinet lifted its full-year 2026 revenue growth target to 19%, implying $8.02 to $8.18 billion, and its 2026 earnings estimate advanced 8.3% to $3.40 per share.
Vertiv CEO calls revenue miss a temporary issue as stock crashes 17%
Vertiv CEO Giordano Albertazzi described a second-quarter revenue shortfall as a temporary timing issue after the company's stock plunged about 17% on July 29. The AI infrastructure firm reported adjusted earnings of $1.52 a share, beating the $1.43 consensus, but revenue of $3.27 billion missed the $3.38 billion Wall Street forecast. Albertazzi told CNBC that customer demand remains strong, the backlog is robust, and the company raised its full-year 2026 guidance, lifting net sales to a range of $13.8 billion to $14.2 billion and adjusted earnings to $6.65 to $6.75 a share. Analysts largely maintained Buy ratings while trimming price targets, with Evercore ISI cutting to $375 from $425 and the consensus target around $366. The stock traded near $234 after the drop, and investors will watch whether third-quarter revenue lands in the guided $3.65 billion to $3.85 billion range.
27 of 29 industrial companies beat EPS estimates this week
Twenty-seven of the 29 industrial companies that reported quarterly earnings this week topped analysts' earnings-per-share expectations, while 22 beat revenue forecasts. Boeing posted a narrower loss of 76 cents per share versus the expected $1.24 loss, and United Parcel Service earned $1.76 per share, 21 cents above estimates. Quanta Services delivered the largest upside surprise with EPS of $4.24, nearly double the consensus, while Eaton and Vertiv Holdings were among the few that missed on either the top or bottom line. The Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF fell 2.34% for the week but remains up 15.71% year-to-date, outpacing the S&P 500's 8.65% gain.
Vertiv's quarterly revenue reaches $3.3 billion, far outpacing BWX Technologies
Vertiv reported quarterly revenue of $3.3 billion for the period ended June 2026, while BWX Technologies has not yet reported for the same quarter. Over the last two years, Vertiv's revenue has consistently exceeded BWX Technologies' by a wide margin, with Vertiv's latest figure more than triple BWX Technologies' $860.2 million in the first quarter of 2026. Vertiv's 24% year-over-year revenue growth in its most recent quarter was driven by demand for power and cooling systems in AI data centers, prompting management to raise full-year 2026 revenue guidance. BWX Technologies saw its commercial sector sales surge 121% year-over-year to $283.6 million in the first quarter, fueled by AI's growing electricity needs and interest in nuclear energy. Both companies have posted generally rising quarterly revenues, though Vertiv's scale in digital infrastructure far outpaces BWX Technologies' defense and nuclear revenue.
Vertiv CEO says Google, Meta, Microsoft earnings reinforce data center acceleration
Vertiv CEO Giordano Albertazzi said recent earnings from Google, Meta, and Microsoft are reinforcing the message that data center investment continues to take place and is accelerating if anything. Speaking with Yahoo Finance, Albertazzi noted the data center market remains extremely robust and that Vertiv provides the entire technology range for data center infrastructure. He acknowledged public backlash against data center construction adds complexity but said the industry is rethinking the energy equation, pointing to modern data centers that can run with no water consumption using closed-loop cooling. Albertazzi also highlighted a newly launched services product that reduces water consumption during commissioning by more than 95% and stressed the industry's focus on maximizing the amount of energy translated into useful AI work.
Vertiv Holdings Sees Robust Growth Ahead as AI Infrastructure Spending Accelerates
Carillon Eagle Mid Cap Growth Fund highlighted Vertiv Holdings Co in its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, noting the company's strong quarterly report and management's outlook for robust growth. Vertiv, a global leader in critical infrastructure for data centers and communication networks, is well positioned to benefit from accelerating data center investment driven by high-performance computing and artificial intelligence. The fund emphasized Vertiv's leadership in power and thermal management and its strategic relationships with semiconductor manufacturers and hyperscale customers. As of July 29, 2026, Vertiv shares closed at $223.04, with a market capitalization of $85.67 billion.
S&P 500 Futures Edge Higher as Rate Jitters Meet Earnings
US stock futures are pointing slightly higher this morning, with E-mini S&P 500 contracts up about 0.3%, as investors weigh interest rate risks against mixed economic signals. The 10-year US Treasury yield is holding near 4.62%, and markets see roughly a 1 in 3 chance of a rate hike at the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting, with odds for September even higher. Housing data show prices rising only modestly once inflation is taken out. Among top movers, Garmin jumped 16.23% after Q2 results and higher full-year 2026 revenue guidance, GE HealthCare Technologies gained 12.15% following Q2 earnings and a price target increase from BTIG, and Cognizant Technology Solutions rose 11.25% after reporting Q2 results, updating guidance, and affirming its dividend. On the losing side, Vertiv Holdings Co fell 17.26% after a mixed Q2, revenue short of guidance midpoint and a target cut, Nebius Group declined 12.65%, and Cerebras Systems dropped 12.11% despite a long-term data center colocation agreement announcement. Earnings will dominate the next few sessions, with Apple, Amazon, and Mastercard reporting on Thursday, and AbbVie, Moderna, ExxonMobil, and Chevron on Friday.
Dow Plunges 1,153 Points After Fed Holds Rates Steady
US stocks closed sharply lower, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbling 1,153 points, or 2.19%, after the Federal Reserve voted to keep its policy rate at 3.50% to 3.75%. Three of the 12 voting members on the FOMC dissented in favor of a quarter-point rate hike. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said the committee stands ready to act if necessary. AI-related chip stocks extended their decline, and investors awaited earnings from Microsoft and Meta Platforms. Brent crude oil surged nearly 8%, breaking above 90 dollars a barrel, after President Trump signaled a forceful response to Iran. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note jumped 7 basis points to above 4.67%, while the 30-year yield surged 10 basis points to above 5.2%, its highest level since 2007. Vertiv shares tumbled 17% after revenue missed estimates, while Ford Motor gained 2.1% after raising its full-year profit forecast for the second time. European markets closed slightly lower, with the STOXX 600 index down 0.29%. Luxury goods stocks fell 2.4%, led by Hermes, which dropped 11% on a lack of recovery signs in the China market, while Kering surged nearly 17% after Gucci sales fell less than expected.
Biogen, GE HealthCare, Ford lead premarket movers on earnings beats
Several companies made notable premarket moves following their latest quarterly reports. Biogen rose 0.7% after beating revenue consensus and raising its full-year adjusted EPS guidance. GE HealthCare Technologies surged 12% on second-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.13, topping the FactSet consensus of $1.04, and reaffirmed its 2026 earnings guidance. Ford Motor jumped 6% after beating adjusted earnings expectations and hiking its 2026 earnings outlook, though automotive revenue slightly missed LSEG estimates. Vertiv tumbled 13% as its 17.8% organic revenue growth fell well short of the 23.6% FactSet consensus. Generac gained 5.5% on adjusted earnings of $2.91 per share, beating the $2.01 forecast, and reiterated its revenue growth guidance. Procter & Gamble dropped over 3% after fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of $21.2 billion missed the $21.38 billion LSEG estimate, and net income fell to $3.04 billion from $3.62 billion a year ago. Deutsche Bank rose more than 2% after posting a record second-quarter after-tax profit of 1.9 billion euros. CoStar tumbled 15% on a revenue miss and current-quarter guidance of $935 million to $945 million, below the $967.5 million consensus. Rocky Brands surged 16% as adjusted earnings per share more than tripled year-over-year, aided by tariff refunds and strong double-digit growth in several brands. KLA Corp slid 7% after issuing disappointing guidance, while Seagate Technology rose 6% on an outlook that trounced expectations, and Western Digital gained 4% in sympathy. Manhattan Associates climbed 11% after beating estimates and raising full-year forecasts. Visa lost 2% as its 2026 guidance underwhelmed, and it announced plans to cut about 2,600 jobs. Teradyne surged 9% on beats across second-quarter results and third-quarter forecasts. NXP Semiconductors lost 1.7% as its third-quarter adjusted earnings guidance bracketed the LSEG estimate. Skyworks Solutions slumped 9% after adjusted margin of 44.9% narrowly missed the 45.0% expectation.
Vertiv lifts annual outlook on data center demand but shares fall over 13%
Vertiv Holdings Company raised its fiscal 2026 guidance, citing improved demand from the data center market and other segments. The company now expects adjusted earnings of $6.65 to $6.75 per share, up from the prior range of $6.30 to $6.40, and projects sales of $13.800 billion to $14.200 billion, compared with the earlier forecast of $13.500 billion to $14 billion. For the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Vertiv anticipates adjusted profit of $1.77 to $1.83 per share on net sales of $3.650 billion to $3.850 billion, a significant increase from the year-ago quarter's adjusted income of $1.24 per share and net sales of $2.675 billion. Despite the improved outlook, shares fell 13.48% to $233.13 in pre-market trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
Vertiv Holdings Reports Second-Quarter Profit Surge to $497.8 Million
Vertiv Holdings posted a sharp increase in second-quarter profit, with net income reaching $497.8 million, or $1.27 per share, compared with $324.2 million, or $0.83 per share, in the same period last year. Adjusted earnings, which exclude certain items, came in at $598.3 million, or $1.52 per share. Revenue climbed 24.1% to $3.274 billion from $2.638 billion a year earlier. The company issued guidance for the next quarter, projecting earnings per share between $1.77 and $1.83 on revenue of $3.650 billion to $3.850 billion, and for the full year, it expects earnings per share of $6.65 to $6.75 on revenue of $13.800 billion to $14.200 billion.
Procter & Gamble, Amphenol, Vertiv Among Companies Set to Report Pre-Market Earnings on July 29, 2026
A slate of major companies including Procter & Gamble, Amphenol, and Vertiv Holdings are scheduled to report quarterly earnings before the market opens on July 29, 2026. Procter & Gamble is expected to post earnings per share of $1.41, a 4.73% decline from the prior year, while Amphenol's consensus forecast of $1.19 represents a 46.91% increase. Vertiv Holdings is projected to report $1.43 per share, up 50.53% year-over-year. Other notable reports include General Dynamics at $3.95, Automatic Data Processing at $2.59, Johnson Controls at $1.32, Aon at $3.77, Boston Scientific at $0.83, Cenovus Energy at $1.11, Entergy at $0.94, Old Dominion Freight Line at $1.52, and Garmin at $2.27. Zacks Investment Research provided forward price-to-earnings ratios for each company alongside industry comparisons.
Vertiv to Report Q2 Results Tomorrow With Revenue Expected to Rise 28.5%
Vertiv will announce its second-quarter earnings before the bell on Wednesday. Analysts expect revenue to grow 28.5% year on year, a slowdown from the 35.1% increase in the same quarter last year. The company met revenue expectations last quarter with $2.65 billion, up 30.1% year on year, but missed organic revenue estimates. Vertiv rarely misses Wall Street's revenue estimates, and analysts have generally reconfirmed their estimates over the last 30 days. The stock is down 7.3% over the last month, heading into earnings with an average analyst price target of $376.15 compared to the current share price of $284.50.
Data Centre Battery Market to Reach USD 10.47 Billion by 2035
The global data centre battery market is projected to grow from USD 3.98 billion in 2025 to USD 10.47 billion by 2035, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 10.16 percent during the 2026 to 2035 period, according to a report by SNS Insider. In 2025, the VRLA battery chemistry segment held a 47 percent market share, while the lithium-ion segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate of 16.17 percent CAGR. Hyperscale data centers accounted for 41 percent of the market in 2025, but edge data centers are forecast to see the highest growth at 15.21 percent CAGR. The UPS backup power application dominated with a 56 percent revenue share, and the renewable integration and microgrids segment is projected to grow at 14.16 percent CAGR. North America led with a 36 percent market share in 2025, while the Asia Pacific region is expected to be the fastest-growing market.
Vertiv and Fluor Are Two Industrial Infrastructure Stocks to Buy This Month
The Motley Fool highlights Vertiv Holdings and Fluor as two industrial infrastructure stocks poised for above-average performance as sector leadership shifts. Vertiv, which supplies power and cooling solutions for AI data centers, reported first-quarter revenue growth of 30% year over year to $2.65 billion and holds a consensus analyst price target of $376.99, implying 24% upside. Fluor, an engineering and construction firm focused on large-scale projects like semiconductor plants and nuclear facilities, has improved its contract mix to 82% reimbursable out of a $25.7 billion backlog, with analysts projecting 7.5% sales growth next year and a 27% jump in per-share profits as higher-margin projects ramp up.
Vertiv expands AI cooling manufacturing in Italy and raises full-year adjusted EPS guidance
Vertiv has expanded its AI-focused manufacturing capacity in Italy and raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance amid robust AI infrastructure demand. The company highlighted new integrated power and liquid-cooling deployments, including work on the Naval Postgraduate School's NVIDIA DGX GB300 system. Management flagged margin pressures and regional softness in EMEA that could temper how effectively demand converts into profitability. The expansion directly supports high-density AI workloads and ties into the central catalyst of scaling integrated power and liquid cooling for AI data centers.
Comfort Systems and Vertiv Surge Over 100% on AI Data Center Demand
Comfort Systems USA and Vertiv Holdings have each more than doubled in the past year, driven by the artificial intelligence data center build-out. Comfort Systems, a mechanical and HVAC construction firm, reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of about $2.9 billion, up 57% year over year, with net income rising 119% to roughly $370 million and a backlog of $12.4 billion. Vertiv, a provider of power and cooling equipment for data centers, posted a 30% revenue increase to about $2.65 billion and a 137% jump in net income to around $390 million. Comfort Systems trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of about 49, compared to Vertiv's multiple of about 73, and both stocks carry strong buy consensus ratings with price targets implying roughly 45% to 50% upside.
AI Infrastructure Will Mint More Millionaires Over the Next Decade: 3 Stocks to Buy Right Now
The global AI infrastructure market could expand at a 26.6% CAGR from 2026 to 2034, according to Fortune Business Insights, and three stocks are positioned to capitalize on that trend. Marvell Technology sells high-speed connectivity chips, custom ASICs, Ethernet switches, and DPUs that data centers need to handle demanding AI workloads. Coherent, the world's leading photonics company, produces optical transceivers and components that are replacing aging copper cables with fiber-optic cables offering greater bandwidth and better thermal resistance. Vertiv produces thermal management, liquid cooling, and UPS systems that cool the latest AI chips, and it is co-developing physical infrastructure and liquid cooling systems with Nvidia. Analysts expect Marvell's adjusted EBITDA to grow at a 44% CAGR from fiscal 2026 to fiscal 2029, Coherent's adjusted EBITDA to grow at a 44% CAGR from fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2028, and Vertiv's adjusted EBITDA to increase at a 38% CAGR from 2025 to 2028, with the stocks trading at 43, 39, and 34 times current-year adjusted EBITDA respectively.
Vertiv Stock Surges 130% as AI Data Center Demand Drives Revenue to $10.2 Billion
Vertiv's stock has rallied more than 130% over the past 12 months as data centers upgrade infrastructure for AI applications. The company's revenue grew from $5.0 billion in 2021 to $10.2 billion in 2025, while adjusted EBITDA more than tripled to $2.2 billion. Its backlog more than doubled year over year to $15 billion by the end of 2025, driven by multi-year deals with chipmakers like Nvidia and hyperscalers like Amazon. Analysts expect revenue and adjusted EBITDA to grow at compound annual growth rates of 28% and 38%, respectively, from 2025 to 2028. With an enterprise value of $116.2 billion, Vertiv trades at 34 times this year's adjusted EBITDA, a valuation that appears reasonable relative to its long-term growth potential.
Vertiv Acquires Strategic Thermal Labs for AI Cooling Growth
Vertiv Holdings Co announced the acquisition of Strategic Thermal Labs, adding specialized liquid cooling expertise to its portfolio. The deal targets advanced solutions for AI and high-density data center environments facing rising power and thermal requirements. Strategic Thermal Labs contributes engineering capabilities focused on complex liquid cooling architectures for high-performance computing workloads. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the move is consistent with Vertiv's broader push into liquid cooling alongside earlier deals, including the ThermoKey transaction in EMEA.
Vertiv and Argan Enter 2026 With Multi-Billion Dollar Backlogs as AI Infrastructure Spending Surges
Vertiv and Argan are positioned to benefit from a projected trillion-dollar boom in AI infrastructure spending. CNBC estimates that Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms could have nearly $700 billion in combined capital expenditures for 2026, more than 60% above 2025 levels, while Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley analysts see AI-related capital spending by U.S. hyperscalers reaching roughly $800 billion in 2026 and $1.12 trillion in 2027. Vertiv, which supplies power and cooling equipment for data centers, reported a 30% revenue increase to $2.6 billion in its fiscal first quarter and entered 2026 with a $15 billion backlog, up 109% year over year. Argan, which builds natural gas and renewable power plants, saw revenue rise 50% to $291 million in its fiscal first quarter and held an order backlog of about $2.8 billion, with $973.6 million in cash and no debt. Both stocks trade at premium valuations, with Vertiv at nearly 34.8 times expected 2027 earnings and Argan at 39 times forward earnings, reflecting high expectations for continued strong execution.
Leon Cooperman’s Top 3 Stocks: Vertiv, Rocket Companies, and Energy Transfer Analyzed
Billionaire Leon Cooperman’s Omega Advisors holds three stocks that each warrant a different call, according to a recent analysis. Vertiv Holdings, trading at $304.57, has surged 88.08% year-to-date and now trades at 52 times forward earnings, suggesting patience is warranted despite strong AI data center demand. Rocket Companies, at $14.60, saw first-quarter revenue explode 167.1% to $2.94 billion after integrating Mr. Cooper and Redfin, but shares are down 24.59% year-to-date and the bull case still requires falling interest rates. Energy Transfer, at $19.91, looks most compelling with a 6.65% yield, raised full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of $18.20 billion to $18.60 billion, and locked-in gas supply agreements with Oracle for AI data centers.