Al Root

Shares of data-center-infrastructure provider Vertiv soared after the company's outlook for 2026 simply smashed expectations.

That should shake off some of the concerns that the artificial-intelligence trade has run its course.

Vertiv announced fourth-quarter earnings per share of $1.36 from sales of $2.9 billion. Wall Street was looking for $1.29 from sales of $2.9 billion.

It was an earnings beat. Orders were strong, too, up 252% year over year and up 117% sequentially from the third quarter of 2025.

Guidance was rock solid, as well. For 2026, Vertiv expects earnings per share between $5.97 to $6.07 from sales of about $13.5 billion. Currently, Wall Street projects earnings per share of $4.85 from sales of $11.7 billion.

For the first quarter, Vertiv expects earnings per share of 95 cents to $1.01. Analysts are projecting 85 cents.

The outlook is simply better than expected. Investors were taking note Wednesday. Vertiv stock jumped 17% in premarket trading at $233.93, while S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average futures both were up about 0.1%.

Earnings were a relief for investors worried that the AI trade was losing steam. Coming into Wednesday trading, shares of AI chip leader Nvidia had fallen 2% over the past three months.

Still, large capital spending plans from Alphabet and Amazon.com hadn't shaken confidence in Vertiv shares. Coming into Wednesday, shares of Vertiv had gained 11% over the past three months, and 62% over the past 12 months.

Capital spending at data-center hyperscalers becomes revenue for Vertiv.

Write to Al Root at allen.root@barrons.com

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February 11, 2026 08:34 ET (13:34 GMT)

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