Broadcom IncBroadcom releases VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 to expand AI push, with strong software revenue growth.
Broadcom is expanding VMware's role in enterprise private AI infrastructure with the release of VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1, aiming to capture a larger share of enterprise AI and hybrid-cloud spending against rivals Nutanix and Microsoft. The platform supports heterogeneous computing across AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA architectures, allowing customers to run AI, Kubernetes, and traditional virtualized workloads in a common private-cloud environment. Broadcom reported that software revenues rose 9% year over year to $7.2 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, with annualized recurring revenues up 17%, and expects infrastructure software revenues to reach approximately $8.9 billion in the third quarter, representing 31% growth. The infrastructure software business generated a 93% gross margin and an operating margin of roughly 79% in the quarter. Nutanix is countering with its Nutanix Cloud Platform and Agentic AI, while Microsoft's Azure surpassed $100 billion in annual revenues, growing 41%, and its Sovereign Cloud and Foundry offerings expand its enterprise AI ecosystem. Broadcom shares have gained 6.3% year to date, underperforming the sector's 16.8% growth, and trade at a forward P/E of 20.70X, slightly above the sector's 20.65X.
Broadcom IncBroadcom releases VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 to expand AI push, with strong software revenue growth.
Microsoft CorporationBroadcom's VMware expansion challenges Microsoft's Azure in enterprise AI and hybrid-cloud.
Advanced Micro Devices IncVMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 supports AMD architectures, potentially increasing demand for AMD chips in enterprise AI.
Nutanix IncBroadcom's VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 directly competes with Nutanix Cloud Platform and Agentic AI.
Intel CorporationVMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 supports Intel architectures, potentially increasing demand for Intel chips.